November 2, 2020
From State Senator Tom O’Mara:
Horseheads, N.Y., November 1—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) is being endorsed by the Horseheads Police Benevolent Association in his bid for reelection in the 58th Senate District.
The Horseheads PBA represents the officers of the Horseheads Police Department and is active in providing support to area youth groups and many other community organizations.
In a letter informing O’Mara of the endorsement, Horseheads PBA President Sean Murray wrote, “The Horseheads PBA is endorsing your reelection in recognition of your experience as a former prosecutor and your proven legislative record consistently providing strong support for actions addressing the challenges facing law enforcement officers throughout Chemung County, regionally and statewide. We recognize your efforts to secure invaluable assistance, as well as to sponsor and fight for the enactment of laws to address the heroin and opioid crisis, the proliferation of meth and other illegal drugs in our communities, and to ensure that police officers and departments have the resources necessary to effectively protect citizens, communities and neighborhoods. We know that we can count on you as you have been there for us throughout your service as a consistent and effective advocate for and defender of law enforcement. In 2020, this commitment is more important than it has ever been before. You understand the challenges, demands and dangers of the work we do, and we appreciate your backing.
We know that law enforcement has always been one of your top priorities.”
O’Mara, who has long been noted for his strong support for law enforcement, welcomed the support of the Horseheads PBA.
O’Mara said, “The officers of the Horseheads Police Department are respected in this community not only for the admirable and outstanding service they provide to maintain and protect public safety, but also because of the incredible support they provide to our youth programs and so many community organizations and projects. These officers go above and beyond, and exemplify the powerful role that the men and women in blue can play in building stronger and safer communities. I am very proud to have their support and thank them for their service and all that they do to strengthen the fabric of this community, this county, and the Southern Tier.”
Today’s endorsement continues to add to an outpouring of regional and statewide support that O’Mara has received throughout his campaign from individual law enforcement officers, and police and correctional officer associations. In addition to the Horseheads PBA, O’Mara’s backing from law enforcement includes the Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates County Sheriffs; Chemung County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Inc.; Chemung County Correction Officers Association; City of Elmira Police PBA; Elmira Heights Police Benevolent Association; Police Conference of New York representing officers in Chemung, Steuben and Tompkins counties; New York State Police Investigators Association (NYSPIA); Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc.; 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.
Throughout his tenure in the Senate, O’Mara has stood out as one of the Legislature’s most steadfast defenders of police officers, correctional officers, firefighters, first responders and the entire public safety and security community. Over the past year, he has strongly opposed and warned against the dangers of the extreme bail reform law enacted by Governor Andrew Cuomo and a state Legislature under the one-party control of largely downstate, New York City-based Democrats where a growing ‘defund the police’ movement is taking hold.
He currently co-sponsors legislation known as the “Protect Those Who Protect Us Act,” a package of legislation aimed at deterring violence against law enforcement.
O’Mara has sponsored or co-sponsored numerous pieces of legislation to combat the proliferation of meth labs and meth-related criminal activity; to ensure that law officers and their families receive the benefits they have earned and deserve; and to secure the state funding necessary to provide law enforcement agencies and officers with the safety equipment, modern technology and other resources they need to carry out their jobs effectively.
In 2014, O’Mara was appointed to the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction and since then has successfully worked with his colleagues at the state, local and federal levels –on a bipartisan basis — to achieve the enactment of numerous new laws and significantly increased state funding which have strengthened the state’s awareness, education, prevention, treatment and enforcement strategies.
Find out more about O’Mara’s campaign for re-election on http://www.omaraforsenate.com.
