New York state Assemblyman Ed Ra has been chosen by the conference to be the next Republican leader of the chamber.
The Long Island lawmaker will replace Will Barclay, who announced late last week that he would step down as Assembly minority leader and not run for reelection this year.
“I congratulate Ed Ra on his election as the next Assembly Minority Leader. He’s been a trusted friend and colleague who represents the best of what it means to be a public servant,” Barclay said in a statement Monday. “Ed is among the most respected members of the Legislature, and his track record of hard work, intelligence and commitment to our Conference will serve him well as Minority Leader. I wish him great success in guiding the Conference forward.”
Ra currently represents the 19th state Assembly District, which includes parts of the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay in Nassau County. He was first elected to the state’s lower chamber in 2010.
He most recently has served as ranking member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, a critical committee when it comes to the state budget. He also previously served as assistant minority leader pro tempore and as ranking member of the Assembly Education Committee.
Before the Assembly, Ra served in local government as a Hempstead town attorney.
“Congratulations to @EdwardRa19 on his election as Assembly Republican Leader!” the New York Republican Party wrote on X Monday. “Ed has been a tireless champion for our Republican values and will continue to be as Leader.”
Republicans have been in the minority in the 150-member state Assembly since the 1970s.