A state senator with a reputation for working with the other side of the aisle is being challenged by a newcomer to political candidacy.

Joe Robach has spent close to two decades in Albany, between the Assembly, and since 2002, the state Senate. The Greece Republican faces a challenge from political newcomer Robin Wilt, a Democrat.

Wilt, a real estate agent and grassroots activist with a political science background, lives in Brighton. She lists access to health care, a living wage, progressive taxation and anti-violence efforts among her top concerns.

Wilt hopes to ride a wave of anti-incumbency sentiment.

“For too long, we've had the same career politicians year after year after year get sent back to Albany, and they don't perform for us,” she said.

Robach says he's concerned about the "throw out the bums" mentality. But he says his record shows - he's not one of "the bums".

“While people don't like the direction of Albany, they're very, very much tuned into and appreciative of people who stood up at the same time, because it's a little bit out of the norm,” said Robach.

Both candidates tout the familiar themes of job creation and lower taxes.

On campaign finance, Robach’s campaign has raised three times as much as Wilt’s, according to the state's Board of Elections. Robach’s campaign has spent $125,000, compared to just under $30,000 for Wilt.