Ortt: Don't Surrender New York

New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt urged Republican candidates and supporters to view the 2026 election as a pivotal fight over the state's future, delivering an impassioned speech that contrasted the Senate Republican agenda with what he described as the increasingly progressive direction of New York Democrats.

Speaking before fellow Republican senators, candidates and activists in Saratoga Springs, Ortt repeatedly invoked New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani as a symbol of what he called an "un-American" political movement, arguing that some Democratic members of the State Senate share the same political philosophy.

"Everyone in this room is here because you believe in the future of New York State," Ortt said. "You have not given up hope."

The Minority Leader acknowledged what he called the seriousness of the political moment, saying many Republican candidates had sacrificed time with their families, businesses and even retirement because they believe New York is "worth the fight."

"They're taking all those sacrifices and those risks because they do believe that their community, their county, their district, this state, is worth the fight," Ortt said.

Ortt said Senate Republicans are offering voters an alternative focused on affordability and economic opportunity rather than what he characterized as the Democrats' "radical nonsense."

He outlined a vision that includes allowing New Yorkers to keep more of their income, lowering energy costs, creating opportunities for graduates to remain in the state, and reversing policies he said have driven residents and businesses elsewhere.

"A vision that allows people to keep more of their hard-earned money," Ortt said. "A vision that allows people's families to stay and live in New York."

Ortt concluded by urging Republicans to rally behind their candidates in the months leading to Election Day, arguing the upcoming election represents an opportunity to restore political balance in Albany.

"This is the year we have to do it, folks," he said.