James Bacalles was born on March 26, 1949. He graduated from Corning East in 1967, and he studied political science at
Utica College and
Syracuse University. Bacalles married Mary Honors, an elementary school teacher, in 1975. They had two sons together. He was elected to the
Steuben County Board of Supervisors in 1979, and he served in the position until 1989. He was elected mayor of
Corning, New York, in 1992. Bacalles was elected to the
New York State Assembly in a special election in 1995. He represented the
Republican Party while in office. Bacalles unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for the
New York State Senate 53rd District seat held by
George Winner; the nomination went to
Tom O'Mara, who also went on to win the general election. As a result, Bacalles could not seek re-election to his seat in the Assembly, and
Phil Palmesano was elected to take his place. ==References==