Flanagan, once NY's top Republican, says he won't run for again for State Senate

ALBANY — Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan who once was the chamber's majority leader said Wednesday he won't seek reelection in November, setting off a scramble for the Long Island seat he's held for 18 years.

"It is  with a heavy but extremely proud heart that I announce today that I will not be seeking reelection to the New York State Senate," Flanagan (R-East Northport) said in a statement.  He was the majority leader from 2015-18 when he was the state's most powerful GOP leader.

"I am making the best decision for me and for my family," Flanagan said.

Flanagan was known for a collegial relationship with Democrats, while fighting for Republican objectives including lower property taxes and school aid.

“John Flanagan spent his life devoted to public service, working to make New York a better place," said former Gov. George Pataki. "I wish John and his family the very best in his next chapter."

“I thought he was always very easy to work with,” said former Democratic Gov. David Paterson, who dealt with Flanagan when Paterson was minority leader. “Not everybody wants government to work. I think he was someone who wanted government to work.”

Flanagan, 58, has been a state legislator for 34 years. He first was elected to the state Assembly in 1986, to a seat vacated by the death of his father. He was elected to the Senate in 2002 and became majority leader in 2015, succeeding longtime Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who was ousted after being indicted on corruption charges. Skelos later was convicted and sentenced four years in prison.

 For a while, Flanagan was the state's top Republican, point man on negotiating the state budget and all legislation flowing through Albany.

But he fell into minority leader status when the 2018 Democratic wave swept the Republicans out of Senate power after they had controlled the Senate for most of a half-century. 

He twice sought treatment for alcohol dependency during his term as GOP leader. 

Flanagan intends to finish out his term, meaning there won't be an immediate skirmish to replace him as Senate minority leader, a GOP official said. That would occur after the 2020 elections.

 It could also mean that, for the first time since 2008, the top Senate Republican won't be a Long Islander.  Among the potential successors as minority leader were Sens. Patrick Gallivan (R-Elma), Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) and Fred Akshar (R-Binghamton).

 Among the names immediately mentioned as potential candidates to run for Flanagan's Senate seat were Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) and Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta.

 "I'm certainly considering it," Fitzpatrick said Wednesday. "If Mike Fitzpatrick doesn't want it, I would be interested."

  Sen. Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore) applauded Flanagan's legacy. 

  "John ascended to become the most powerful Republican in the entire state of New York and a tireless advocate for his constituents and for all Long Islanders," Boyle said in a statement. "We owe him a great debt of gratitude."

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com,yancey.roy@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany,

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.