By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – Republicans in the state Assembly elected a Western New York lawmaker as their leader on Monday.
Charles Nesbitt of Orleans County will succeed Minority Leader John Faso, a Columbia County Republican who gave up his leadership post to concentrate on his campaign for state comptroller.
Nesbitt outpolled John Flanagan of Suffolk County for the post.
The minority leader speaks for Assembly Republicans in negotiations with majority Democrats. He also controls a limited budget and a few appointments.
The Democrats hold a 96 to 53 edge over Republicans in the Assembly. Still, he's optimistic his party will reduce that margin this year.
"We're going to have a strong year with George Pataki atop our ticket," Nesbitt said. "We're going to win some seats."
Nesbitt's election as minority leader means that Western New York lawmakers hold two of the three top leadership positions in the Assembly. Democrat Paul Tokasz of Cheektowaga is the Assembly's Majority Leader.