PBA OF NEW YORK STATE ENDORSES O’MARA’S RE-ELECTION IN 58TH SENATE DISTRICT
Officers highlight O’Mara’s ‘respect and support for law enforcement’
Elmira, N.Y., October 17—The Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of NYS) has endorsed the re-election of State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) in New York State’s 58th Senate District.
The PBA of NYS is a law enforcement labor union whose members are comprised of officers and members of the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the New York State Forest Rangers, the New York State Park Police, and the State University of New York (SUNY) Police -- including those who live and serve within the 58th District across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.
In a letter informing O’Mara of the endorsement, the PBA of NYS Executive Director Daniel M. De Federicis wrote, “Your respect and support for law enforcement was the main factor in our decision, but your overall experience and integrity was certainly a significant factor as well. We have no doubt you are the best qualified candidate in this election. Our members are not only police officers, but are community residents, taxpayers, parents, and many other roles that came into consideration for your endorsement. Your dedication and support for all of these individuals in New York State exemplifies the type of leader we need in the State Legislature fighting for men and women in uniform.”
The 58th Senate District, which O’Mara has represented since 2011, is comprised of all of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties, and a portion of Tompkins County (the city and town of Ithaca, and the towns of Enfield, Newfield and Ulysses).
O’Mara said, “Throughout my time in public service, I have been recognized as a strong advocate for and defender of the men and women in law enforcement. I’m proud of this commitment. As a former District Attorney, I have been privileged to work closely with the officers on the front lines protecting and sacrificing for our communities day in and day out. As a state legislator, it has been my privilege and priority to consistently stand behind and defend all of New York State’s law enforcement agencies and officers, including the men and women who serve New York as EnCon Police and Park Police, Forest Rangers and University Police. The quality of service these New York State law enforcement officers provide is second to none. Every single day they earn and deserve our support.”
In his role as Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, O’Mara said that he fully appreciates, understands and supports the absolute need to protect New York’s vast network of state parks, trails and other public lands, stating that it “simply makes environmental and economic sense to ensure that these vital public lands and resources are adequately protected.” He believes that New York State must ensure that officers have the equipment, tools and vehicles which are fundamental to allowing them to effectively and safely carry out their responsibilities.
Throughout his tenure in the Senate since 2011, O’Mara has stood out as one of the Legislature’s most steadfast advocates of police officers, correctional officers, firefighters, first responders and the entire public safety and security community. He 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.
