Mary Lou Rath
Encyclopedia
Mary Lou Rath is a former state senator
in New York
. A Republican
, she represents the state's 61st Senate District, which consists of parts of Erie County
and all of Genesee County
. In January 2007, she was appointed to the post of Deputy Majority Leader for State/Federal Relations, making her the only woman in the Senate Republican leadership. She announced her retirement in 2008 and was succeeded by Erie County Legislator Michael Ranzenhofer. Senator Ranzenhofer had also succeeded Senator Rath as Minority Leader of the Erie County Legislature when Senator Rath stepped down to become a state senator.
She was elected to the Senate in 1993 after serving as a member of the Erie County Legislature from 1978 to 1993. During her final four years in the County Legislature, she served as the Minority Leader of the Legislature. She is a resident of the Village of Williamsville
. Her late husband, Edward Rath, Jr., was a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court and her father-in-law, Edward A. Rath, was the first County Executive of Erie County. Her son, Edward Rath III, recently won his election for the Erie County Legislature for her former seat. In 1998 she was reportedly considered by Gov. George Pataki
as his running mate
for lieutenant governor
. Pataki choose Judge Mary Donohue
instead.
During her service in the Senate, Senator Rath served at different times as Chairwoman of the Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee, Chairwoman of the Children and Families Committee and as Chairwoman of the Local Government Committee.
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, she represents the state's 61st Senate District, which consists of parts of Erie County
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
and all of Genesee County
Genesee County, New York
Genesee County is a county located in Western New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 60,079. Its name is from the Seneca Indian word Gen-nis'-hee-yo meaning "The Beautiful Valley." Its county seat is Batavia.- History :...
. In January 2007, she was appointed to the post of Deputy Majority Leader for State/Federal Relations, making her the only woman in the Senate Republican leadership. She announced her retirement in 2008 and was succeeded by Erie County Legislator Michael Ranzenhofer. Senator Ranzenhofer had also succeeded Senator Rath as Minority Leader of the Erie County Legislature when Senator Rath stepped down to become a state senator.
She was elected to the Senate in 1993 after serving as a member of the Erie County Legislature from 1978 to 1993. During her final four years in the County Legislature, she served as the Minority Leader of the Legislature. She is a resident of the Village of Williamsville
Williamsville, New York
Williamsville is a village in Erie County, New York in the United States. The population was 5,573 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Jonas Williams, an early settler...
. Her late husband, Edward Rath, Jr., was a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court and her father-in-law, Edward A. Rath, was the first County Executive of Erie County. Her son, Edward Rath III, recently won his election for the Erie County Legislature for her former seat. In 1998 she was reportedly considered by Gov. George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
as his running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
for lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
. Pataki choose Judge Mary Donohue
Mary Donohue
Mary O’Connor Donohue is a Judge of the New York Court of Claims and a former Lieutenant Governor of New York State. She was first elected lieutenant governor in 1998 and reelected 2002 on a ticket with Gov. George Pataki.-Teaching and legal career:...
instead.
During her service in the Senate, Senator Rath served at different times as Chairwoman of the Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee, Chairwoman of the Children and Families Committee and as Chairwoman of the Local Government Committee.