Finger Lakes Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A change in leadership on the way for the NYS Republican Party

(WXXI News & AP) Ed Cox, the longtime chairman of the New York state Republican Party, will step down to raise money for President Donald Trump's re-election campaign. Trump's campaign announced the move Monday.  

Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy is now poised to take over as New York GOP chairman when Cox steps down in July. 

Langworthy had launched a bid to replace Cox, who some Republicans blamed for the party's recent election losses. 

Monday's announcement came after several local party chairmen announced their support for Langworthy's challenge.

Among them, Bill Reilich who is both the Monroe County Republican Chairman and also 1st Vice Chair of the state committee. On Monday he endorsed Langworthy to be the next state chairman.

Reilich praised the job that Cox has done, but says it’s time for a change. 

“He always treated Monroe  County well, and anything we would have asked for or needed he was very helpful with. And I appreciate his service to our party in that capacity, but Nick is full of energy, I’ve known Nick since he was part of Tom Reynolds staff and represented Greece, so I just thought it was time," Reilich told WXXI News. Reilich also thinks it's not really fair to blame Cox for Republicans not making more inroads in winning statewide offices since New York has such a strong Democratic enrollment edge.Reilich expects to step back from his Vice Chairmanship duties to concentrate on his duties in Greece, where he is Town Supervisor. 

Ed Cox, an attorney, has led the state GOP since 2009. He is the son-in-law of former President Richard Nixon.

Copyright 2019 WXXI News

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's Director of News and Public Affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.