New York state Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan says he will not seek reelection.
The Long Island Republican, who has publicly battled alcoholism, says in a statement Wednesday that “the wide array of emotions I am experiencing in making this decision are balanced by knowing I am making the best decision for me and my family.” Flanagan has been in the Senate for nine terms after eight terms in the Assembly. He has headed the Republican conference in the Senate since 2015.
Here is Flanagan's full statement:
For almost thirty-four years I have enjoyed the privilege, honor and distinction of serving as an elected official in the New York State Legislature. The opportunity to serve the public for virtually all of my adult life has enriched every aspect of my life, and so it is a with a heavy but extremely proud heart that I announce today that I will not be seeking re-election to the New York State Senate. The wide array of emotions I am experiencing in making this decision are balanced by knowing that I am making the best decision for me and for my family.
My career has spanned over three decades with sixteen years of service and eight terms in the New York State assembly and eighteen years and nine terms in the New York State Senate. I have met some of the finest and most dedicated people in my life throughout this time, and it reminds me of why New York State is so special - because of its people, both in and out of government. It is still my fervent belief that New York is the Empire State and will continue to be so for many, many years to come.
The timing of this announcement is not particularly ideal, but I am making it now because of the constraints of the political calendar that guides our elections. Our great State is clearly in a time of crisis and now more than ever we need leaders to guide our public policy as true representatives of our taxpayers and constituents. I fully intend to apply the same diligence and work ethic as the Leader of our Republican Conference as I have since I was first elected Leader in 2015. We have recruited top-tier candidates in races all across the State, and ensured our Conference has the right messaging to succeed. I look forward to continuing to be part of that process as our Conference navigates delicate and challenging budget issues and finishing our legislative session. Our residents and my constituents deserve no less.
Having been elected to the New York State Assembly at age twenty-five I never would have envisioned the extraordinary opportunities that have come my way over the last thirty-four years. The gift and privilege of being elected by my colleagues to be the Senate Majority Leader is an honor I will always cherish, and I recognize that with that position comes an immense responsibility to work for the betterment of all New Yorkers. It is a fact that continues to be the cornerstone of all my thinking and actions as the Leader of the Republican Conference in the Senate today. Working closely with my Republican Colleagues, we have advocated for vital local issues and passionately distinguished ourselves as principled lawmakers who care very deeply about public service and the people we represent.
I thank my family, my friends, my colleagues and the people of the great State of New York for always supporting me and for giving me again the privilege and the opportunity of a lifetime.
