Elmira, N.Y.—The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc. (NYSTPBA) 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 NYS Troopers PBA represents more than 6,000 active and retired, uniformed members of the New York State Police, from the rank of Trooper through the rank of Major, including many within the 58th District whose service, past and present, included public safety and protection across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.
In its endorsement of O’Mara, the NYSTPBA noted, “It is with careful consideration that the NYSTPBA is endorsing Senator Thomas O’Mara for re-election to the NYS Senate 58th District. During these unprecedented times we have endured the passage of bail reform, protesters screaming to ‘defund the police’ and rioters and looters taking to the streets of New York. The resulting disdain and violence against police officers and our citizens are deplorable. Even more shameful is the lack of support and trust that is deserving a person who dons a police uniform and protects us from that which is evil. Even amidst this one-party rule there are still those who support police and fight for effective legislation.”
NYS Troopers PBA 2nd Vice President and Legislative Director John Clark said, “Our members are honored and proud to stand alongside and support Thomas O’Mara as he continues to do for us.”
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, “The men and women of the New York State Police are among the finest and most respected law enforcement officers anywhere in the world. It’s truly a privilege to have earned their confidence and support. These men and women put their lives on the line for us every single day they put on the uniform to patrol our roadways and protect our communities. It’s an incredibly demanding and dangerous occupation, especially in the current climate of lawlessness and violence. I’m proud to stand up for their safety and stand behind every effort to ensure that they have the resources and support they need to perform their duties effectively. On behalf of the entire 58th District, it’s an honor to say thank you to our New York State Troopers for the service and sacrifices you and your families make for all of us.”
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.
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.
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.
