ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. -- Albany County Legislator Tim Nichols announced he will run for the new 110th Assembly District. The Democrat is looking to replace retiring Assemblyman Bob Reilly.

Nichols has served as Reilly's chief of staff since 2005. The Albany native said he is a strong advocate for public education.

"We have to do much more with unfunded mandates, especially on our school districts. Our school districts right now are going through the budget process. Everywhere you turn, people are looking at cutting programs, like arts and sports and music. Hundreds of teachers have been laid off over the last few years. I don't think you can shortchange public education and then expect to have the Empire State returned to the way it used to be. We need to do a lot more in terms of investing in public education," said Tim Nichols, (D) Albany County Legislator.

Nichols is also the president of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York's board of directors.