ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) — A former state Senator has died. 

Jim Seward served 17 terms representing the 50th and 51st districts between 1987 until his retirement in 2020. The districts included parts of Tompkins, Cortland, and Cayuga counties. During his final years in Albany, Seward was a ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.

He was 72 years old.