Career
A Republican, he served in the New York State Senate from 2005 to 2010, after having spent 13 terms in the New York State Assembly. He was admitted to the practice of law in New York in 1977. He represented the 53rd senatorial district which comprised Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties, the city and town of Ithaca, New York, and the towns of Enfield, Newfield and Ulysses in Tompkins County.
He served as Chairman of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations. He was also mentioned as a potential candidate to run against Eric Massa for the United States House of Representatives seat representing New York's 29th congressional district in 2010. Since his retirement, he has operated the Rescue New York political action committee.