After Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay announced he would not be seeking reelection and would step down from his leadership role, Republican Assemblymembers moved quickly, unanimously choosing Long Island Assemblymember Ed Ra to lead their conference. The decision marks a significant transition for Assemb
ly Republicans as they prepare for budget talks to heat up, as well as the remainder of the legislative session.
With his elevation to Minority Leader, Ra, who represents parts of Nassau County, becomes the first Republican from Long Island to lead the Assembly GOP in more than 50 years. In remarks following his selection, Ra said he intends to strike a balance between forcefully opposing Democratic policies and working across the aisle when possible. He pointed to public safety, affordability, and fiscal restraint as areas where he believes bipartisan cooperation could be achievable.
Ra has already begun reshaping the conference’s leadership structure. He appointed Assemblymember Phil Palmesano to replace him as the Ranking Member of the Assembly Ways & Means Committee. Palmesano, who represents the 132nd Assembly District in the Southern Tier, is expected to play a central role in the Legislature’s budget negotiations, including oversight of the Governor’s $260 billion spending plan. Palmesano said he looks forward to pushing for greater transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars as the budget process moves forward. Additional appointments include:
- Deputy Minority Leader – Assemblymember Kenneth Blankenbush
- Assistant Minority Leaders – Assemblymembers Karl Brabenec & Angelo Morinello
- Deputy Minority Whip – Assemblymember Doug Smith
- Assistant Minority Whip – Assemblymember Michael Durso