Orleans Conservative Party endorses Arnold over Maziarz

Gia Arnold has the Orleans County Conservative Party’s official endorsement in her campaign for the State Senate against George Maziarz.

The Conservative Party Committee endorsed Arnold on Tuesday. Allen Lofthouse, the party chairman, said Maziarz, a 19-year-incumbent, is “a good man.”

But the party leaders like Arnold’s passion. The 24-year-old from Holley runs a tree service with her husband Jeremy. Mrs. Arnold is a state-wide leader of New York Revolution, a group that wants to repeal the SAFE Act. She has led rallies around the state against the gun control measure.

“She comes on strong,” Lofthouse said. “She is pretty passionate about her beliefs. She is real focused.”

Lofthouse said Maziarz has been an advocate for school funding, but hasn’t done enough for Orleans County.

“Nineteen years is a long time,” Lofthouse said about Maziarz’s career in Albany. “We’ve been pushing for term limits.”

Lofthouse first met Arnold through their involvement in the Tea Party movement in Orleans County. Arnold is making her first run for elected office.

“I know she’s young but I don’t think it hurts,” Lofthouse said. “Maybe she can draw more young people to be interested.”

Arnold is running for the 62nd Senate District that includes all of Orleans, most of Niagara and a portion of western Monroe counties.