Upstate Jobs Party Announces Bipartisan Endorsements in Capital Region

Independent Political Organization Supporting Daphne Jordan for State Senate and Rich Amedure for State Senate; Angelo Santabarbara in Assembly, Noting Strong Support for UJP Platform

Albany, NY – Upstate Jobs Party (UJP) founder Martin Babinec today announced new endorsements by UJP in the Capital Region.  UJP announced their strong support for New York State Senator Daphne Jordan and Candidate Rich Amedure, as well as New York State Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara. UJP announced these endorsements and support for these candidates as the right choices in the Capital Region to reform our education system, realign economic development policy, boost the innovation economy and lead holistic government reform in the State.

UJP recognized Jordan’s steadfast commitment to supporting private investment and job growth, and dedication to nonpartisan solutions, as well as Amedure’s commitment to supporting broadband expansion in rural areas and dedication to small and startup businesses.  UJP also noted that Santabarbara has been one of the most vocal and committed advocates for education reform in the legislature, while also showing regular willingness to stand up to what has become one-person rule in Albany.

Martin Babinec said, “The Upstate Jobs Party looked across the State for the right kind of candidates to support and we’ve found the right slate to support in the Capital Region.  After spending time learning about Angelo’s engineering background and commitment to reform, Rich’s steadfast efforts to realign our education system to the reality of today’s workforce, and seeing Daphne’s continuing and deep commitment to supporting small and startup businesses, I know we have the right bipartisan team to lead the region forward.  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 Daphne Jordan (R-Halfmoon) said, “Receiving the endorsement of the bi-partisan Upstate Jobs Party — which also endorsed me in 2018 — for my re-election to the State Senate this fall is a tremendous honor, and reflects my continued commitment to growing and strengthening our Upstate economy. Since its founding in 2016, the Upstate Jobs Party has successfully moved forward with a bi-partisan, laser-like focus on reinvigorating Upstate, growing the innovation economy, and supporting entrepreneurial growth and investment. As the former owner of two successful small businesses, my positive, proven voting record and the majority of my adult life reflects those principles and priorities. I’m thrilled to once again receive this endorsement from the Upstate Jobs Party that values bi-partisan cooperation, practical problem solving, and real results. I want to thank Upstate Jobs Party Founder Martin Babinec, and the entire leadership team, for their continued support and endorsement. I’ll never stop fighting and working for a stronger Upstate economy and a better quality of life for Upstate families.” 

New York State Senate Candidate Rich Amedure (R – Rensselaerville) said, ““I am grateful to be endorsed by the Upstate Jobs Party. Our state is headed in the wrong direction, and it’s so important to have representatives in Albany who will fight to enact common sense policies to create a friendlier business climate and help our small businesses thrive. I will be a strong advocate for upstate New York, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Upstate Jobs Party to create a stronger economy in our upstate communities.”

New York State Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) said, ““From the hardworking farmers who fuel our agricultural industry to historic tourist destinations that bring new visitors to New York, our upstate communities help boost our economy and continue to play an important role in our state’s recovery.  I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Upstate Jobs Party – I will always put politics aside and our upstate communities first. Small businesses need our support now more than ever to get through this crisis, safely reopen and restore good-paying jobs here at home. And through these difficult times I’m working to support our families and get schools the funding they need to keep our students and teachers safe.”

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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