Corwin to leave state Assembly

ALBANY — State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin will leave the Assembly at the end of the year, when her fourth term in office expires.

The Clarence Republican announced the decision Tuesday night in a release to the media.

She said she is proud of her service but believes it is “time to let someone else have the opportunity to represent our community and bring Western New York to the ‘people’s house.'”

Her full statement to the press follows:

On April 28, 2008 I asked the people of the 144th Assembly district to put their trust in me to represent them in Albany.  As a political outsider, I believe my community had confidence in me to challenge the status quo, and represent true Western New York values.  During my time as an elected representative, I have strived to reflect the needs and interests of the people in our community through the policy decisions and initiatives being made for our state.

After thoughtful consideration and with the support and encouragement of my family, however, I have decided to decline the nomination to run for a fifth term and will retire at the end of my current term from the New York State Assembly.

I pride myself on leading by example and I firmly believe that instituting term limits on state officials will go a long way in ending the corruption and dysfunction in Albany.   I believe in a citizen legislature and instituting term limits on elected officials will restore good faith government and limit career politicians.  I am proud of my service and time in the Legislature but as I “term myself out,” it is time to let someone else have the opportunity to represent our community and bring Western New York values to the “people’s house.”

I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years, especially my staff who have served the 144th Assembly District and have done more for our community than most citizens realize.   I would also like to thank the members of the local political committees who have volunteered so much of their time.  Our election process would not happen if not for volunteers like them.  I also want to thank my colleagues and friends in the State Legislature and particularly the members of the Western New York Delegation as well as the local officials I have had the pleasure to work with.  Success happens when we play as a team.

Of course I would not have been able to serve in the Assembly without the love and support of my family, who, in giving me this opportunity made the sacrifices necessary while I was in Albany serving in the State Legislature.

But most of all I want to thank the people of the 144th Assembly District for putting your faith in me to speak on your behalf all these years.  It is a responsibility I have never taken lightly and I am honored to have been given the opportunity.”