Christopher Friend

Who is Christopher Friend?

Christopher S. "Chris" Friend is an American chemist and politician who represents the 137th Assembly District of the New York State Assembly. He is a Republican and represents parts of Schuyler and Chemung Counties.

A native of Big Flats and a 1991 graduate of Horseheads High School, he completed a B.S. in chemistry at the University of New Hampshire before earning Master's and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He was named a National Science Foundation IGERT Fellow and has published more than 20 scientific papers and symposia.

In 2006, he was elected to the Chemung County Legislature. In 2010, he won election to the State Assembly after winning Republican and Conservative party primaries against Chemung Town Supervisor George Richter, the endorsed candidate, who later endorsed Friend. The seat had become vacant after former Assemblyman Tom O'Mara ran successfully for the New York State Senate.

Friend resides in Big Flats with his wife Renée and their four children: Brianna, Joshua, Ashley, and Elijah.