News - A living legacy: Bruno retires

“Today, I met with my Republican colleagues in the Senate and informed them that I will not be running for re-election this November,” Bruno said in a prepared statement. “After 32 years in office, I have decided that it is time to move on with my life and to give my constituents an opportunity for new representation and my colleagues in the Senate who have supported me an opportunity for new leadership.”

The 79-year-old Bruno was elected to represent New York State’s 43rd State Senate District (Rensselaer County and most of Saratoga County) in 1976. Since then he has become one of the oldest serving state legislative leaders in the country and has been the state’s top Republican since 2006.

“On behalf of the people of New York, I would like to thank Joe for his tireless commitment to improving the lives of New Yorkers. I had the pleasure of serving with Joe in the Senate for many years and he has always understood that results come from partnership. Joe has skillfully represented the Capital District, been a champion for the needs of Upstate and a strong voice for New York as a whole,” Gov. David Paterson said in a prepared statement.

Saratoga County Republican Committee Chairman John “Jasper” Nolan said he was surprised when he heard of Bruno’s announcement to not run for re-election.

“All signs indicated that he was on board and was going to run again, but I respect his decision,” Nolan said. “He has done a great job for our state, county and the Republican party for the past 32 years.”

Nolan also praised Bruno on his efforts to help support Saratoga Springs and make it one of the premier tourist destinations in Upstate New York.

“In our region he was a leader that people listened to,” Nolan said. “Over the years he helped develop and enhance the city center, SPAC and the race course—helping to make Saratoga the tourist destination it is today.”

Nolan said that he considered Assemblyman Roy McDonald, R-Wilton, as a possible successor to Bruno—due to his strong roots in both Rensselaer County and Saratoga County and his ability to deliver votes there.

Meanwhile, McDonald said he was shocked and saddened to hear of Bruno’s decision not to run for re-election and to step down as majority leader.

“Right now we should spend time reflecting on Senator Bruno’s 32 years of service to our state,” McDonald said. “He is man who tried to help Upstate New York in every way he could—he was one of us.”

McDonald also said he was honored to be Bruno’s first choice to succeed him in the 43rd district, and he is strongly considering a run at the Senate seat.

Aside from McDonald, Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino is also considering a run at the 43rd district seat on the Republican side, while names like Attorney Brian Premo, Aide to U.S. Rep. Kirstin Gillibrand, Mike Russo, Saratoga County Supervisor Joanne Yepsen and former Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Kehn have been tossed around as potential nominees on the Democratic side.

Prior to his decision to leave politics, Bruno had been under a considerable amount of stress following the death of his wife Barbara in January and criticism he received over his leadership ability after Republicans lost a special election in February—shrinking Republican control to a one-seat majority in the state senate heading into the November elections.

Nolan acknowledged a need for Republicans to hold onto the majority in the state Senate during the fall elections.

“If we don’t hold onto the majority in the Senate, then New York will be a one party state,” Nolan explained. “As Republicans we intend to send a message throughout New York State in order to hold forth democracy and ensure that the interests of Upstate New York are not forgotten.”

Since 2006, Bruno has been at the center of an FBI investigation that looked into business associates of his who received state grants. On Monday, Gov. Paterson said he didn’t know if his decision to forgo running for re-election had anything to do with the investigation.

Bruno grew up in Glens Falls and worked his way through college eventually earning a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from Skidmore College. He became a millionaire after founding and eventually selling the Coradian Corporation—a telecommunications company that sold telephone systems to private businesses and government agencies.

During his time as an elected official, he enacted more than a $126 billion in cumulative tax savings and created almost 800,000 new private sector jobs.

On Tuesday, Bruno also decided to step down as majority leader—a post he has held since 1995. Bruno supported Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Long Island, to take over the position. Skelos accepted the position Tuesday night.