Incumbent state Assemblyman Brian Kolb successfully sought to preserve his seat in 129th Assembly District over political newcomer Noah Sargent.

“My work continues still in the Assembly,” Kolb said, contemplating his return on Nov. 18 to work on the state budget.

“We have a lot of work to do, reducing spending and preparing for next year's budget,” he said. “We're waiting for Gov. (David) Paterson to provide his recommendation to close the deficit of $1.5 billion. There will be a give and take with the Legislature and Gov. Paterson on how to close the budget gap. I'm truly blessed that the voters have given me the opportunity to serve them again,” he said.

Kolb's business career as chief executive officer of a variety of small and large technology-based businesses was evident in his eight-year stint as Assemblyman when he pledged to work on behalf of district residents and businesses.

His straightforward, direct approach in response to constituents' e-mails and his use of surveys and mailings, he said, have kept him in touch with people in five counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Ontario, and Seneca.

Sargent, conversely, thought Albany lacked working class voices and values.

Sargent conceded that he was losing, but vowed to return in two years. He said he believed Kolb won because of “money from special interests.”

“He sits on the Assembly Insurance Committee hand has received thousands from the insurance industry,” Sargent said.

“I will be back in two years to challenge him,” he said. “I had a very good showing, and I had a good time.” Sargent is going back into the Army reserves, which has given him the last month off to campaign.

“It's going to be nice to have my life back with my family,” he said.

Views on taxes also clashed, as Kolb supported the Suozzi Commission's 4 percent property-tax cap with a circuit-breaker provision for those on fixed incomes. He voted down the circuit-breaker connecting property taxes to income, which Sargent supported.

Kolb favored a spending ceiling rather than taxing as the way out of debt; Sargent compared the tax cap to a fixed-rate mortgage.

Sargent attacked New York's “regressive” tax structure, where lowest earners pay 20 percent while the top 1 percent pay 6.8 percent. He preferred raising taxes on millionaires to allow relief for 94 percent of those in the 129th District, lifting tax burdens on homeowners, municipalities, and school districts.

Kolb singled out state hiring, early retirement incentives, Medicare waste and other agencies, examining every department for possible spending reductions.

Kolb maintained that government doesn't do a good job with health care, neglecting vets' services that are too costly.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net