Independent Political Organization Supporting Dynamic Team of Candidates to Fight for Private Sector Job Growth in Rochester, Finger Lakes and Buffalo Area

Albany, NY – Upstate Jobs Party (UJP) today announced new endorsements for State Senate for the first time in Western New York.  The Western New York UJP team of candidates will include State Senator Pam Helming, and candidates Ed Rath and Chris Missick. UJP announced these endorsements and support for these candidates as the right choices to fight for job growth in the Finger Lakes, Rochester and Buffalo as they  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 Helming’s steadfast commitment to expanding broadband and improving economic development programs, as well as Missick’s and Rath’s deep business acumen.  This team will be one that will be fighting for the growth of the innovation economy on day one.

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 making up our Western New York slate.  After spending time learning about the business acumen of this team, as well as their deep commitment to public service, we knew we’d found the right group to be UJP’s Western New York team. Each candidate 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 Pam Helming said, “The COVID-19 Pandemic has devastated the already struggling Upstate economy. However, one thing is clear: we need jobs and we need them now! As State Senator, I am fighting every day to make Upstate New York a better place to live, work, and grow a business. That is why I am proud to work with the Upstate Jobs Party to grow our economy and bring more employment opportunities to the region.”

New York State Senate Candidate Ed Rath said, “”Thank you to the Upstate Jobs Party for this endorsement.  I can assure you I will fight for the economy and the way of life in Upstate.  It is critical that we receive our fair share of investments and work to end the outmigration due to overtaxing, lack of opportunities and excessive regulations.  I look forward to bringing this fight to Albany and representing Upstate.”

New York State Senate Candidate Chris Missick said, “”There is no more important goal right now than creating jobs and fixing our economy in upstate New York.  As I’ve been saying throughout this campaign, it’s not the cold climate, it’s the business climate that has caused 1.1 million New Yorkers to flee our state. I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Upstate Jobs Party because like me they are laser focused on addressing these problems and pursuing innovative solutions.”

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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