Senator Rob Rolison (R-Poughkeepsie, Newburgh) was officially sworn in as the first state senator to represent the new 39th District. Joining him at the ceremony in the Capitol’s Senate chamber was Rolison’s wife Lori, son Chris, sister Anne, daughter-in-law Kelly, granddaughter Alena, and other family members. Rolison, 64, a former mayor of Poughkeepsie and current resident of the city, will serve a Hudson Valley district that partly overlaps with one previously represented by his father, Senator Jay P. Rolison, Jr., who served in the state legislature’s upper chamber from 1967 to 1990.

“Serving the residents of Poughkeepsie as their mayor has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Rolison. “Now, as we take the next step to help secure better lives for the hardworking families of the Hudson Valley, I’d like to thank my own for their steadfast and loving support. My wife Lori kept me going throughout a hard-fought campaign and was a perennial source of optimism and encouragement.”

Senator Rolison joins a freshman class of seven other Republicans in the 63-member body. On January 3 he was named ranking member on two committees: Children and Families as well as Cities II, which focuses on urban municipalities outside New York City. A separate swearing-in ceremony for the people of the 39th District was held January 7 in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Said Rolison: “I’m equally grateful to the folks who have entrusted me with the task of representing them in our state’s capital. As we embark together on this new mission, rest assured that I will represent all of us, regardless of political label. I will lead by listening. Let’s get to work.”

Rob Rolison (R-39th District) was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2022 and is serving his first term. The 39th Senate District includes parts of Dutchess, Putnam and Orange counties, including the City and Town of Newburgh and the Town of Montgomery.