O’Mara supports Ortt to lead Senate Republican Conference: Looks forward to advancing common goals

Elmira, N.Y., June 19—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today called the election of Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I-North Tonawanda) as the next Senate Republican Minority Leader “an important step to begin restoring a strong voice for Upstate New York in a downstate-dominated state government.”

O’Mara said, “I am grateful that my friend and Western New York colleague, Senator Rob Ortt, will be the next Leader of our Senate Republican Conference.  It’s a long-overdue and important step for our Upstate regions.  I look forward to working closely with Senator Ortt on the goals we share to rebuild a strong voice for Upstate New York in this state government, and to truly begin the essential work of restoring checks and balances to a state government that has fallen too far under ineffective and irresponsible one-party control.  I am confident that our Senate Republican Conference under Senator Ortt’s leadership will be strong and vocal advocates for reclaiming a state government guided by common sense and economic responsibility.”  

O’Mara, whose 58th Senate District covers Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates counties, and a part of Tompkins County, said that Senate Republicans are committed to strategies for Upstate’s post-coronavirus communities and economies focusing on several cornerstones including the steady rebuilding of increasing numbers of economic sectors including manufacturing and small businesses, regulatory reform, and tax and mandate relief, among others.

O'Mara said, “Right now we are witnessing state government by executive order and that needs to change.  We need an open and full discussion on moving forward for this entire state, upstate and downstate.  It is going to require a restructuring of New York State government, strengthening the state-local partnership, and getting back to work rebuilding New York with the right priorities, long-overdue commonsense reforms, and fiscal responsibility.  I look forward to joining the Senate Republican Conference under new leadership and moving forward throughout the weeks and months ahead to fight to ensure that our Upstate regions don't get left behind in the unprecedented rebuilding and restructuring effort that we're facing.”