Nassau County assembly member chosen to lead NY minority

WAER | By Robert Beck

Published February 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM EST

Ed Ra was elected as the new Minority Leader of the New York Assembly

Nassau County Assembly Member Ed Ra is the new Minority Leader of the New York Assembly.

The Republican replaces Will Barclay of Oswego County who is stepping down after deciding not to seek re-election.

Ra has been serving as the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.He was first elected in 2010.

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Robert Beck

Bob Beck, a veteran media professional, currently serves as a part-time editor/host at WAER Public Radio and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. Beck retired as News Director at Wyoming Public Radio in 2022 after 34 years. During his time, Beck won 5 regional Edward R. Murrow awards and 5 Public Media Journalists Association awards for reporting. He also won 11 PMJA awards for the news and public affairs program Open Spaces. He was awarded the Wyoming School Bell award for education reporting and was part of two Emmy Award winning television productions. You can find him on X under the name @butterbob.

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