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Walczyk hires Sen. Ritchie staffer as chief; heads to Assembly in January

Posted 12/4/18

Assemblyman-elect Mark Walczyk (R,C,I,Ref-Watertown) announced his first staff hiring today, longtime community member and Sen. Patty Ritchie staffer Michael Schenk. Schenk will join Walczyk’s team …

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Walczyk hires Sen. Ritchie staffer as chief; heads to Assembly in January

Posted

Assemblyman-elect Mark Walczyk (R,C,I,Ref-Watertown) announced his first staff hiring today, longtime community member and Sen. Patty Ritchie staffer Michael Schenk.

Schenk will join Walczyk’s team as his Chief of Staff in January when he heads to Albany to represent the “Front Yard of America” River District in the New York state Assembly.

Walczyk was elected to the Assembly on November 6, beating longtime incumbent Addie Jenne.

Schenk currently works for Sen. Ritchie, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff. He has tackled a number of issues North Country residents have faced over the last several years, including matters pertaining to agriculture, sportsmen's issues and working closely with local governments, among others.

“Schenk’s experience, understanding of policy and commitment to the community will be invaluable assets as I begin my first term in the Assembly,” said Walczyk. “I have always known him as an upstanding member of the community who has proudly worked for Sen. Ritchie on behalf of the North Country over the last few years. I look forward to having him join my team and cannot wait to get to work in January."

Schenk is a 2006 graduate of Sackets Harbor Central School. He went on to study Political Science at Jefferson Community College. Schenk also worked at Stephen's Media Group for nearly eight years, where he was a reporter, radio personality and producer.

Mike lives in Jefferson County with his wife, Mary, and their three children, Zoey, Noah and Luke.