Longtime area New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio says he will not seek re-election this year.
The Republican from Seneca Falls has represented that 54th state senate district since 1993. He was in the NYS Assembly before that.
The 64 year Nozzolio released a statement saying that since his younger brother died suddenly from heart failure eight years ago, he has been carefully monitored by his doctors. And now, Nozzolio says he will require heart valve surgery.
He says that will require a minimum of a three to five month recuperation period, and he may need even more time than that to recuperate before he can resume the hectic schedule he's used to. Nozzolio says that made him decide that now is the appropriate time to retire. Nozzolio is also an attorney with the law firm Harris Beach.
Nozzolio says his efforts have always been focused on making government more responsive to the needs of the people he represents.
You can read his entire message here. The 54th state senate district includes part or all of the following counties: Wayne County, Ontario County, Cayuga County, Tompkins County, Seneca County, and Monroe County.
A number of well-wishes from those he worked with in the legislature and in politics, including Ontario County GOP chairman Doug Finch, who credits Nozzolio with being instrument in a number of economic development efforts in the Finger Lakes.
As far as potential candidates for that seat are concerned, Finch mentioned three Assemblymen he'd like to chat with , including Minority Leader Brian Kolb, Bob Oaks and Gary Finch. (no relation)
"And they've all been great partners with Senator Nozzolio so I'd want to have conversations with them, but really, right now just want to focus on thanking Senator Nozzolio for all he's done for us.”
The party registration for that 54th district seat is predominantly Republican, although Monroe County Democratic Chairwoman Jamie Romeo says they'd like to have conversations about that seat and others in the region they feel might be competitive.
