Scozzafava rises to minority leadership

Dede Scozzafava has been in the state Assembly for almost a decade now. The Gouverneur resident benefitted from redistricting in 2001 when St. Lawrence County’s Democratic pockets were strung together in the 118th “River” district (now held by Dem. Addie Russell). Scozzafava’s 122nd “Hills” district is solidly Republican; Scozzafava’s popular and often runs unopposed.

Yesterday, Scozzafava was awarded the position of Minority Leader Pro Tempore, the woman who carries floor debates forward for the Assembly Republicans. Granted the GOP is very much in the minority in the chamber, but Scozzafava’s elevation puts a North Country rep. in a power position.

In her press release, Scozzafava renewed her reputation of bipartisanship and independent thinking (she’s a Republican who opposes the death penalty and favors same-sex marriage).

“We cannot achieve results for the people of our state if we continue to have an ‘us versus them, Democrat versus Republican’ mentality. This type of partisan bickering will only lead to further gridlock in Albany. It would be naïve to think we won’t have disagreements, but when we do, I challenge all of my colleagues to engage in professional, courteous debates.”