October 31, 2020
From Senator Tom O’Mara:
New York State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) enjoys widespread support for reelection from local government, law enforcement and other community leaders from throughout the 58th Senate District.
The group includes local leaders from regional State Assembly representatives to county executives to county sheriffs, including Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Assemblyman Chris Friend, Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, and Assemblyman Joe Giglio.
Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss, Chemung County Sheriff William Schrom, Steuben County Sheriff James Allard, Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, and Schuyler County Sheriff William Yessman, Jr. are also backing O’Mara.
O’Mara also has the support of numerous city and village mayors, including Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell, Hornell Mayor John Buckley, Village of Bath Mayor Mike Sweet, Village of Watkins Glen Mayor Luke Leszyk, Village of Dundee Mayor Fred Cratsley, and Village of Hammondsport Mayor Emery Cummings.
The local leaders have highlighted O’Mara’s experience and leadership in strengthening local economies, fighting against unfunded state mandates, prioritizing public safety and security, protecting constitutional rights, securing funding for schools and local infrastructure, fighting for tax relief for working families, championing environmental protection and clean water, and putting Upstate first.
O’Mara said, “I am honored to have widespread and growing support from so many who make all the difference building stronger and safer communities throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. I continue to be very grateful to have the support of an overwhelming number of local leaders representing counties and communities from every corner of the 58th District. We have rallied together like never before this year in the face of COVID-19. We have fought hard for local business owners, workers and taxpayers, and families and seniors. Together, we will continue working together to recover and rebuild in ways that will help make our communities better than ever moving forward.”
Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss said, “Tom O’Mara is my full partner in getting things done for the people of Chemung County. That has never been truer than this year as we have had to join forces in so many ways to address this pandemic locally and regionally. No one fights harder for tax relief, a better business climate, workers, or to get us out from under the heavy burden of unfunded state mandates. He is an effective and respected leader who works across the aisle to get results.”
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, whose 132nd Assembly District includes most of Steuben County and all of Yates County, said, “Tom and I are proud to represent Steuben and Yates counties in the New York State Legislature, and we look forward to continue working together as a team on the goals we share for this region, from agriculture to job creation to road and bridge funding. Tom delivers for this region.”
Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell said, “Senator O’Mara has been there for the city of Elmira and all of Chemung County every step of the way. His efforts were instrumental at the state level in helping secure critical Downtown Revitalization funding for the city of Elmira and it will provide benefits to city residents and taxpayers for a generation. He is focused on building better, stronger and safer communities across the Southern Tier.”
Hornell Mayor John Buckley said, “Senator O’Mara has been there for us. He’s been there to help save St. James Hospital. He’s been there for Alstom’s workers and families. He played a key role in securing a Downtown Revitalization award that will benefit our city for many years to come. He’s been there for Hornell’s fire fighters. He’s been there as we’ve tried to find ways to address heroin, meth and other illegal drugs and drug trafficking. He’s been there for our roads and bridges. What I value most in a public servant – at any level of government – are commitment, experience, an open door and a solid work ethic. It also helps to know that their word is good. On all of these counts, Senator Tom O’Mara is far and away the best candidate to continue representing us in Hornell and the Southern Tier.”
In a joint statement, Chemung County Sheriff William Schrom, Schuyler County Sheriff William Yessman, Jr., Steuben County Sheriff James Allard, and Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike said, “We strongly support the reelection of Senator Tom O’Mara. We value his commitment. We value his experience as a former prosecutor. We value Senator O’Mara as a strong voice in the New York State Legislature standing behind us and every law enforcement agency and department across this region and state. We know that he works consistently, effectively, and tirelessly on behalf of public safety and security throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions we represent, and we look forward to working with him to pursue the goals we share for building stronger and safer communities. It is going to be critical, challenging work in the months and years ahead, and we know we can count on Senator O’Mara joining us to make it a top priority.”
Former Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill, who represented the county as Sheriff from 1999 to 2010, said, “Senator O’Mara clearly has the backing of law enforcement officers from across the region, state and nation – and for good reason. He is widely recognized as one of the State Legislature’s true defenders of law enforcement. He has always backed up his words with actions. That means something to the officers on the street, especially in this time of unrest and a lack of support in too many places. The fact is that I have always been impressed by Senator O’Mara’s no-nonsense, commonsense approach to government. The goal is to get the job done. The responsibility is to find the solution that works best. That is what Senator O’Mara has been all about. I believe Senator O’Mara cares about our future. He’s committed. He’s experienced. He’s effective. He listens. Then he gets to work. That’s what we look for in a public servant, at least I do.”
O’Mara has drawn strong support throughout his reelection campaign from local law enforcement, correctional officers and fire fighters including the Police Benevolent Association of the City of Elmira Police Department (City of Elmira PBA); Police Benevolent Association of the Elmira Heights Police Department (Elmira Heights PBA); Horseheads Police Benevolent Association; Chemung County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Inc.; Chemung County Correction Officers’ Association, Council 82, Local 3978; New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association (NYSPFFA) representing the Elmira, Corning, Hornell and Ithaca Fire Departments; Police Conference of New York, Inc. representing officers in Chemung, Steuben and Tompkins Counties; Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc. (NYSTPBA); and the New York State Police Investigators Association (NYSPIA); Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (NYCPBA); Westchester County Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association; and the Detectives’ Endowment Association (DEA) representing nearly 20,000 active and retired New York Police Department Detectives.
