The Capital Region’s usually placid electoral landscape is in for a major upheaval this year. Earlier this month, state Senator Neil Breslin, who has represented the Albany area in the state Legislature for 14 terms, announced his retirement.

The 81-year-old’s decision spurred a systematic reshuffling of the political deck after Capital District Assembly Member Pat Fahy announced she was running for the seat Breslin has held since 1997.

In turn, that left her seat, the 109th Assembly District, up for grabs. The seat represents portions of Albany and its suburbs.

“It’s been an interesting four weeks,” Jake Crawford, the chair of the Albany County Democratic Committee told Capital Tonight. “Four weeks ago, we thought we were running most of our incumbents for reelection.”

Crawford discussed how the county party came to back Fahy’s candidacy. Not only is it game on for Fahy’s legislative seat, but critics of the Albany County district attorney have smelled blood in the water.

D.A. David Soares is facing the toughest reelection campaign of his career, as well as a probe by the county comptroller, after opting to award himself a $22,000 bonus last year with money provided by a state grant.

While Soares has promised to return the grant money, it prompted a rush of candidates to announce that they will challenge him. The Albany County Democratic Party has opted not to endorse anyone for the seat before the primary contest.

Albany also has three family court seats to fill.