District 62RepublicanMinority LeaderFirst elected 2015
Robert Ortt is a Republican state senator representing New York's 62nd Senate District (R+7), first elected in 2015 and currently serving his tenth year in the chamber. In the 2025 session, he has sponsored 180 bills with a primary focus on penal law, education, and tax issues, and votes with the Republican caucus 91.9% of the time across 1,443 recorded votes. Ortt raised approximately $761,000 in campaign contributions between 2022 and 2026, with 77% coming from individual donors, including a $15,000 contribution each from Daniel Wegman and Carl Chiappa.AI
Topics extracted by AI from floor speeches, committee hearing transcripts, and sponsored legislation. Bill and hearing citations link to source records for verification. Tag size reflects number of supporting citations.
S5446 ↗Relates to dedicating a portion of the state highway system to Specialist Jason Johnston2025-09-10
S7675 ↗Relates to the purposes of the Brockport Exempt Volunteer Firefighters' Benevolent Association, Inc.2025-09-10
S8306 ↗Updates the South Lockport Volunteer Exempt Firemen's Benevolent Association's charter2025-09-10
S7493 ↗Authorizes the town of Niagara to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklands and to convey such parklands to Rajendra Sharma2025-08-15
S5571Authorizes the county of Niagara to continue to impose an additional rate of sales and compensating use taxes2025-08-07
S7542Amends chapter 530 of the laws of 2024, amending the tax law relating to authorizing an occupancy tax in the village of Medina, in relation to the effectiveness thereof2025-08-07
Covers Senate-sponsored bills only. Status from Open Legislation API.
Committee Assignments
Rules
Member
Electoral History SD-62
General Elections
Year
Winner
Runner-up
Margin
2024
Robert G. Ortt
100.0%(113,744)
Uncontested
—
2022
Robert G. Ortt
100.0%(85,923)
Uncontested
—
2020
Robert G. Ortt
100.0%(101,883)
Uncontested
—
2018
Robert G. Ortt
86.8%(69,118)
Peter A. Diachun
13.2%(10,539)
73.5pts
2016
Robert G. Ortt
100.0%(89,390)
Uncontested
—
2014
Robert G. Ortt
66.9%(47,606)
Johnny G. Destino
30.5%(21,678)
36.5pts
2012
George D. Maziarz
61.4%(69,359)
Amy Hope Witryol
37.6%(42,508)
23.8pts
2010
George D. Maziarz
67.6%(59,097)
Amy Hope Witryol
32.4%(28,386)
35.1pts
2008
George D. Maziarz
68.2%(78,798)
Brian D. Grear
31.8%(36,694)
36.5pts
2006
George D. Maziarz
70.2%(58,510)
Christopher M. Srock
29.8%(24,799)
40.5pts
2004
George D. Maziarz
70.8%(81,448)
Matthew J. Bova
29.2%(33,611)
41.6pts
2002
George D. Maziarz
100.0%(65,679)
Uncontested
—
Primary Elections
Year
Winner
Runner-up
Margin
2014 (Republican)
Robert G. Ortt
78.0%(5,645)
Gia Arnold
22.0%(1,589)
56.1pts
2014 (Working Families)
Paul Brown
59.6%(59)
Johnny Destino
36.4%(36)
23.2pts
2012 (Republican)
George D. Maziarz
69.0%(6,905)
Johnny G. Destino
30.9%(3,095)
38.1pts
2012 (Working Families)
Amy Hope Witryol
72.5%(100)
Timothy D. Moriarty
27.5%(38)
44.9pts
2008 (Republican)
George D. Maziarz
81.1%(10,179)
Brian D. Grear
18.9%(2,372)
62.2pts
2008 (Conservative)
George D. Maziarz
80.0%(473)
Donald G. Hobel
20.0%(118)
60.1pts
2006 (Independence)
George D. Maziarz
78.4%(330)
Christopher M. Srock
21.6%(91)
56.8pts
Source: NYS Board of Elections certified results. ⚡ = margin under 10 pts.
Vulnerability Index SD-62
Base lean: R+9
Favorable D
Lean R
Neutral
Lean R
Favorable R
Likely R
Uncontested in 3 of last 4 cycles — opposition quality unknown
Scenario model: ±5pt national environment shift applied to district base lean (R+9). Base lean blends voter registration (40%) with recent contested general election margins (60%), using up to the last 4 general elections with margins under 40 points. Ratings: Safe D/R = 20+ pts, Likely = 10–19 pts, Lean = 4–9 pts, Toss-up = within 3 pts. "Generic ballot" refers to national partisan polling used to model favorable/unfavorable cycle environments. Not a prediction — reflects structural competitiveness under different cycle environments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Voter registration: NYS Board of Elections (Nov. 2025).
Voter Registration
30%
37%
32%
Dem 30.1%Rep 37.4%Ind/Other 32.5%
Campaign Finance (2022–2026)
Total raised$760,989
From individuals$586,261
From corporations/PACs$15,500
Other$159,228
Top Donors
Daniel Wegman$15,000
Carl Chiappa$15,000
frank Suits$12,800
Arnold Gumowitz$11,800
Ronald Lauder$11,800
Daniel Senor$11,800
Roy Park$10,500
Paul Reid$10,000
Jeff Vacirca$10,000
Kenneth Kearney$8,750
Source: NYS Board of Elections via data.ny.gov. Itemized monetary contributions only. ↔ Bills = donor industry aligns with bill sponsorship focus area.
Data through 2026-03-28.
Lobbying Activity 2025
Top Lobbying Issues
Transportation – General
↔ Overlap294 disclosures
Economic Development - general
290 disclosures
Budget/Appropriations
↔ Overlap287 disclosures
Public Utilities - General
275 disclosures
Finance, Insurance & Financial Services – general
↔ Overlap267 disclosures
LIEUTENANTS BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, INC.210 disclosures
CAPTAINS' ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, INC. (THE)192 disclosures
DETECTIVES ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION POLICE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF NEW YORK INC.181 disclosures
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL, INC.80 disclosures
AVANGRID Management Company, LLC43 disclosures
CATHOLIC CONFERENCE (NYS)36 disclosures
Source: NY Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government via data.ny.gov. Counts reflect bi-monthly disclosure records filed with the Ethics Commission — not individual meetings. ★ Chair = lobbying issue overlaps with a committee this senator chairs. ↔ Overlap = matches committee membership or bill sponsorship focus.
Demographics
White84.3%
Black5.6%
Hispanic4.4%
Asian1.2%
Median age42.5
Foreign born4.2%
Limited English households1.0%
Veterans7.2%
Disability rate15.4%
Commute Mode
Drive alone76.9%
Public transit0.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Race and ethnicity figures may not sum to 100% — Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity category that overlaps with racial groups.
Voting Record
1015 Aye395 Nay33 Excused
Dissenting Votes by Topic
Environmental Conservation30 nay
S9072 ↗Establishes the climate corporate data accountability act2026-02-10
S9073 ↗Prohibits the sale of certain products that contain regulated perfluoroalkyl and…2026-02-10
S8836Relates to certain leases for the exploration, development, and production of ga…2026-02-04
S8823Relates to the department of environmental conservation's regulation of crabs2026-01-13
S228Requires manufactured home park owners to provide a written justification for re…2025-02-04
S751Relates to notice requirements for bed bug infestation on rental residential pre…2025-02-03
Appropriations4 nay
S7797Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2025 through May 9,…2025-05-08
S7798Makes technical changes to the aid to localities budget2025-05-08
S7766Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2025 through May 7,…2025-05-06
S7673Provides for emergency appropriation for the period April 1, 2025 through May 1,…2025-04-29
Cannabis4 nay
S5277Expands who can hold membership in an adult-use cooperative license2025-06-09
S6181Relates to employment at certain licensees for the purposes of parole conditions2025-06-04
S3294Relating to medical use of cannabis and to the controlled substances therapeutic…2025-05-19
S818Relates to cannabis showcase event permits2025-02-12
Real Property Tax4 nay
S7980Relates to the determination of adjusted base proportions in special assessing u…2025-06-11
S8012Relates to the assessment of solar or wind energy systems2025-06-10
S2470Provides for a tax abatement for electric energy storage equipment2025-05-28
S664Relates to assessment and taxation of lessees and users of certain tax exempt pr…2025-05-28
Workers' Compensation4 nay
S8387Authorizes certain penalties to be assessed against members of a limited liabili…2025-06-12
S2499Relates to employment discrimination relating to family leave2025-05-28
S172Relates to increasing short-term disability benefits2025-03-04
S755Relates to claims for mental injury premised upon extraordinary work-related str…2025-02-03
General Obligations3 nay
S952 ↗Makes rent stabilized dwelling units eligible for certain protections2025-04-29
S3807Requires that plaintiffs no longer have to prove that a sexual offense occurred …2025-04-08
S413Relates to the resolution of certain claims by certain employees2025-03-24
Legislative3 nay
S5843Requires electronic filing of all lobbying filings2025-06-06
S2224 ↗Relates to reporting requirements on small nonprofits2025-05-28
S2304Provides for the appointment of a standing committee on conference to resolve di…2025-05-14
Multiple Dwelling3 nay
S8078Relates to the standards for openable windows in residential units2025-06-10
S6600 ↗Requires the inspection of certain non-fireproof buildings and compliance with t…2025-06-09
S955Relates to the use of smart access systems and the information that may be gathe…2025-05-14
New York City Administrative Code3 nay
S2134 ↗Relates to requirements for a building owner to refuse to renew a lease under th…2025-06-10
S6718 ↗Relates to surcharges for the installation or use of certain appliances in housi…2025-06-04
S2436Prohibits the sale of ATVs and off-highway motorcycles in the city of New York2025-03-20
Public Housing3 nay
S8311 ↗Relates to succession rights for tenants of New York city housing authority prop…2025-06-12
S5001Provides for including siblings of parents and children of siblings in the defin…2025-06-10
S3569Allows prospective tenants of rent controlled or rent stabilized housing accommo…2025-03-25
Real Property Actions and Proceedings3 nay
S2117Relates to prosecution by the department of financial services and municipalitie…2025-06-11
S3689Prohibits the eviction of tenants for using medical marihuana for a certified me…2025-05-15
S1615Prohibits naming dependent children under the age of 18 in petitions to recover …2025-02-25
Civil Rights2 nay
S2398Requires genetic testing results only be received by patients and health care pr…2025-05-29
S2444Relates to the right to breast feed2025-05-28
Domestic Relations2 nay
S8860Prohibits the consideration of evidence that either parent has ever obtained or …2026-01-27
S7451Prevents a judge from prohibiting a parent from undergoing a gender reassignment…2025-06-09
Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 19742 nay
S8046 ↗Relates to audit of individual apartment improvements (IAIs) for rent stabilized…2025-06-11
S119Relates to rent registration statements filed by a limited liability company2025-05-28
Energy2 nay
S2484Directs the state energy planning board to conduct a study on time frames for pr…2025-04-29
S5111Enacts the "just energy transition act"2025-04-22
Energy2 nay
S4191Relates to requiring certain distribution centers to be equipped with electric v…2025-05-14
S801Relates to standards for electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle…2025-02-10
Environmental Conservation2 nay
S7923 ↗Authorizes and directs the energy research and development authority, the public…2025-06-12
S7551Establishes the bottle redemption fraud task force2025-05-19
Estates, Powers and Trusts2 nay
S8887Relates to enacting provisions for the execution of electronic wills2026-01-28
S7416 ↗Relates to enacting provisions for the execution of electronic wills2025-06-05
Lien2 nay
S3690Relates to adding certain notice requirements for enforcing liens on goods in se…2025-04-09
S5286Prohibits self-service facility owners from enforcing liens on personal property…2025-04-09
Public Officers2 nay
S8411Relates to certain powers of the attorney general2025-06-12
S4039 ↗Prohibits certain persons from receiving compensation for legal fees, consulting…2025-05-29
Public Services2 nay
S8812Relates to the effectiveness of provisions of law relating to the provision of g…2026-02-05
S2011Directs the department of state and public service commission to study and repor…2025-03-19
Surrogate's Court Procedure Act2 nay
S7279Authorizes certified school psychologists to participate in the certification of…2025-06-05
S5278Relates to establishing new fee rates for large estates2025-04-29
Transportation2 nay
S6976 ↗Establishes the New York road salt reduction council and the New York road salt …2025-06-10
S754Relates to the number of persons recommended for appointment to the commission f…2025-02-03
29 additional dissenting votes across other topics
From 1,443 recorded floor votes via OpenLeg API. Dissenting votes grouped by law section to reveal policy patterns.
Votes through 2026-02-10.
Floor Speeches: In Support (1) AI
S2057Celebrating the courage and bravery of New York State's Korean War Veterans and recognizing the men and women who served with dignity and honor during this historic time period2024-04-04
Minority Leader Ortt discussed the Korean War as 'the forgotten war' sandwiched between World War II and Vietnam, described the Korean War Monument in Washington, D.C. as ghostly and unforgettable, noted that 38,000 U.S. servicemembers remain in Korea protecting hard-fought gains, and emphasized the importance of remembering their service to prevent future generations from having to return to Korea.
Floor Speeches: In Opposition (9) AI
S1325CAn act to amend the Education Law2025-06-12PASSED
Voted in the negative on the Education Law amendment.
A6556An act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules2025-06-11PASSED
Voted in opposition to the measure.
A1890An act to amend the Real Property Law2025-06-11PASSED
Voted in opposition to the measure.
A3000DBudget Bill - An act making appropriations for the support of government2025-05-08PASSED
Delivered extensive closing remarks characterizing the provision as 'gross' and 'disgusting,' noting it was not in the Governor's original budget proposal and was introduced during final negotiations. Argued the public understands this is designed to benefit specific individuals and criticized the majority for voting for it despite discomfort.
A9330AAn act to amend the General Municipal Law2024-06-06PASSED
Voted against the bill.
A9018An act to amend the Social Services Law2024-06-06PASSED
Voted against the bill.
A9238AAn act to amend the Education Law2024-06-05PASSED
Voted against the bill.
S3234AAn act to amend the Insurance Law2023-06-01PASSED
Voted in opposition to the bill.
S4000DSenate Budget Bill - an act making appropriations for the support of government2023-05-02PASSED
Delivered extensive floor remarks opposing the budget as exacerbating rather than solving New York's problems. Argued it contributes to inflation, fails to address housing affordability despite banning natural gas hookups in new construction (increasing building costs), increases property taxes on constituents already paying highest rates in the nation, harms farmers through repeated minimum wage and labor law increases, and fails to address crime despite month-long delay over bail reform that amounts to mere 'clarification' rather than substantive change. Contended the budget hurts farmers, small business owners, homebuyers, and working people despite claims to help them.