Independent Political Organization Supporting Senator Tom O’Mara as Its First Candidate Endorsement in Southern Tier 

Albany, NY – Upstate Jobs Party (UJP) today announced its first ever endorsement in in the Southern Tier, endorsing Senator Thomas O’Mara. UJP announced this endorsement and support for O’Mara as the right choice to fight for job growth in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier, as he will aggressively pursue opportunities for private sector job growth, while focusing on reforming our education system, realigning economic development policy, boosting the innovation economy and leading holistic government reform in the State.

UJP recognized O’Mara’s steadfast commitment to expanding broadband and improving economic development programs, as well as his commitment to rolling back unfunded mandates and overreaching executive powers. UJP knows that Senator O’Mara will be one that will be fighting for the growth of the innovation economy on day one.  For the last several years, UJP has endorsed candidates across Upstate New York, but this year is the first time the organization has done so in the Southern Tier.

Martin Babinec said, “The Upstate Jobs Party looked across the State for the right kind of candidates to support and we’ve found a dynamic and talented team of strong leaders.  After spending time learning about Senator O’Mara’s commitment to improving the Upstate Economy, and his vocal and aggressive efforts to improve broadband access, workforce development, and tax policy, we knew we’d found the right candidate to be UJP’s first Southern Tier endorsement.  Tom has embraced UJP’s platform to reverse the outmigration of our talent and is committed to developing policy to enable private investment in our economy and reform State government.”

For 2020, UJP has launched a platform with 4 main areas of focus – reforming a broken economic development system, overhauling our education system to empower teachers and students, supporting the innovation economy, and seeking holistic government reform.  UJP believes this focus will help stem the outflow of our young talent, getting government out of the way of investors and entrepreneurs, and fully reforming New York State government.  That platform can be found at www.UpstateJobs.org/platform. 

New York State Senator Tom O’Mara said, “I am proud to earn the support of the Upstate Jobs Party. At a time in state government when we need to reclaim and restore a stronger voice for Upstate New York, I look forward to working together in this fight for stronger economic growth and innovation, good jobs, and a vibrant approach to workforce development. We share common goals for the future of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and a commitment to moving forward.”

Founded in 2016, the Upstate Jobs Party built support through the platform put forward by Martin Babinec, a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur who has helped hundreds of others start and grow companies in Upstate NY. Supporters of his independent Congressional bid came together following the 2016 election with commitments to stay involved in advancing UJP.

In 2017, Upstate Jobs Party supported independent candidate Ben Walsh, who successfully upset the political establishment by winning election as Syracuse Mayor on an Upstate Jobs Party line. In 2018 State Elections, three of the four candidates supported by UJP were elected, with six out of seven elected in local races in 2019.  Today’s announcement is one of several UJP endorsements for State offices statewide.

“As we continue to spread our message, we find more and more candidates and elected officials who believe that fostering an environment where new companies in innovation industries can succeed is the surest path towards creating a stronger economy in Upstate NY,” added John Bullis, UJP Chairman.

Significant resources, from the Independent Expenditure committee – Upstate Jobs Committee – will be committed to support the elections of candidates that believe in real policies to grow the Upstate economy in the 2020 campaign cycle. Volunteers interested in joining the effort to create more jobs in Upstate NY, keep our best and brightest talent from leaving to pursue opportunities elsewhere, and build a strong economy throughout the region are encouraged to visit www.UpstateJobs.org or www.VoteUpstateJobs.org to learn more.

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