New York State's Republican leaders have wrapped up their state convention in Buffalo, officially nominating Wendy Long as their candidate to face US Senator Charles Schumer in November.
?Long was selected quickly, with party leadership suspending the rule for a roll call. It wasn't necessary, as no other nominees emerged.
Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy presented the nomination, followed by several peers offering "seconds" remarks.
Finally, when Long took the podium to accept her nomination, she like the previous speakers took digs at the incumbent, Charles Schumer.Long called him the face of the ruling class which has harmed the same middle class he now claims to champion.
"For Chuck Schumer, after decades of his open borders and job-killing behavior in Washington, to ride in on a big white horse and announce in this campaign that he's going to fighting for the middle class, is the picture they put in the dictionary next to the definition of chutzpah," Long said.
Long ran for US Senate in 2012 but lost to the state's now junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand. GOP leaders think this time the political environment will work more favorably.
"Think back to 1980 and how one election changed history" said New York State Republican Chairman Ed Cox. "This is a year we'll make history, just as we made history in 1980. We elected a Republican president then. We elected a Republican senator then. We will elect a Republican president this year and we will elect a Republican senator this year from New York State."