VESTAL, NY (WSKG) -- Republican leaders in Broome and Chenango Counties are supporting Ed Cox for re-election as the head of the statewide party.
Broome County GOP head Bijoy Datta and Chenango Chair Tom Morrone both released statements in support of Cox. They come as Erie County GOP Chair Nick Langworthy is challenging Cox for his seat
“As we enter the 2019-2020 election cycle we are facing new dynamics in campaigning including early voting, changes in campaign finance rules and voter registration," said Morrone, who's the longest-serving county party chair in New York. "Ed Cox has and will continue to provide county parties with the tools needed to win election.”
Meanwhile, Datta said statewide losses can't be blamed on Cox. No Republican has won a statewide office since 2002. "Of course we would've liked to have taken a statewide race in recent years, but it's disingenuous for anyone to hang those losses on one person while ignoring the many local level victories that he's helped us to achieve," Datta said.
Cox has led the party since 2009. The Manhattan lawyer is the son-in-law of the late President Richard Nixon. Along with Broome and Chenango, the county Republican leaders in Nassau, Westchester and Suffolk counties have endorsed Cox as party head.
Langworthy has support in Schenectady, Onondaga, Allegany and Saratoga counties, according to Spectrum News.