After nearly a decade at the helm, Reid Robbins has stepped down as chairman of the Ontario County Conservative Party, citing personal and health-related reasons. His resignation, effective February 10, marked the end of an era for the party, which saw both victories and challenges under his leadership.
Robbins, in his resignation statement, emphasized that his role was never meant to be a lifelong commitment but rather a civic duty undertaken for the greater good. He described the Conservative Party as an anchor for common-sense principles, supporting individual freedoms, fiscal responsibility, and social conservatism.
Knowing his departure was imminent, Robbins and the party’s committee reached out to Mario Fratto, a staunch conservative and political figure, to take on the leadership role. On February 10, party members voted unanimously to elect Fratto as the new chairman.
“I want to thank former Chairman Reid Robbins for his years of service to the Conservative Party and being a champion for conservative causes,” Fratto said in a statement. “I know Reid as a man of faith, devoted to his family and country, and guided by principles that he will never compromise. I also know that the Ontario County Conservatives are among the most conservative committees in the state. For those reasons, I said yes to being their new chairman.”
Fratto reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s values and expressed his intention to continue Robbins’ legacy. He described himself as a “no-compromise conservative” and pledged to work closely with the committee to uphold the party’s ideals.
Robbins concluded his statement by reflecting on the party’s progress over the past ten years and expressed hope that its mission would continue to thrive under new leadership.
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