For McNulty, a dream job draws to close after 20 years Congressman gavels out the session in Washington and ends a long career of public service that began at age 22
By KENNETH C. CROWE II, Staff writer First published in print: Saturday, January 3, 2009 GREEN ISLAND — During the 20 years U.S. Rep. Michael R. McNulty spent in Congress, he was never alone: Alongside him was the family that for decades stood virtually alone against the strength of the old Albany Democratic machine.
When McNulty adjourns the 110th Congress today with a rap of the gavel as speaker pro tempore, he'll close a chapter on a saga that began in 1914 when his grandfather, John McNulty Sr., was elected Green Island tax collector.
Michael McNulty's political career stretches back to 1969, when he was elected as the state's youngest town supervisor at age 22. He went on to represent Green Island as its mayor and assemblyman before being elected to Congress in 1988.
Throughout his political life, family involvement helped him maintain ties to his district and constituents. And the family's political savvy provided him with the skills to land a key spot on the House's powerful Ways and Means Committee.
"Too many people get impressed that they're a U.S. representative and a senator," said McNulty, 61.
"They're really great jobs. (But) I'm not Congressman Mike McNulty — I'm Mike McNulty."
That perspective is making it easier for McNulty to leave the dream job he told his family he wanted 20 years before his arrival in Washington.
In 1988, McNulty became the Democratic congressional candidate when U.S. Rep. Samuel Stratton, D-Schenectady, suddenly announced he would not run for re-election. Party leaders selected McNulty to run in Stratton's place, angering a number of Democrats who'd angled for the post.
Chalk it up to the advice provided by McNulty's father, John McNulty Jr.: "Let the people in the party know early on you're interested in a seat."
"Our family gets involved," said the elder McNulty, who battled with county Democrats when he was sheriff in the 1970s. "That's the way it should be."
McNulty won his first congressional election with 62 percent of the vote. In his 10th and final election in 2006, he took the 21st District with 78 percent, winning every county, city, town and village.
McNulty announced his decision to retire in 2007 due to the often-exhausting effects of postpolio syndrome, a result of his bout with polio when he was 2. He plans to spend more time with his wife, four children and five grandchildren, and on his consulting work.
His retirement led to a wide-open Democratic primary won by McNulty's former Assembly colleague, Paul Tonko. On Monday, McNulty was in Albany to administer the oath of office to Tonko in the Assembly chamber.
McNulty's popularity is not surprising, said Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, D-Cohoes, who succeeded McNulty in the Legislature. "He knew the issues. He knew how to help people," Canestrari said. "He never forgot where he came from."
McNulty counts as one of his major successes helping to save Watervliet Arsenal from closure, in part by promoting the arsenal's successful bid for a contract to build howitzers for the Navy in 2000 and pushing the Defense Department to turn over unused space for private sector development.
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