Brian Kolb

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Brian Kolb
Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 6, 2009[1]
Governor David Paterson
Preceded by Jim Tedisco
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 129th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 2000
Personal details
Born (1952-08-14) August 14, 1952 (age 60)[2]
Rochester, New York
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Lauren Kolb
Children Britton, Clayton, and Kylie
Residence Canandaigua, New York
Alma mater Saint Petersburg Junior College (A.A.)
Roberts Wesleyan College (B.S.) and (M.S.)
Religion Catholic
Website Assembly Website

Brian M. Kolb (born August 14, 1952) is the New York State assemblyman from the 129th District, and is the minority leader of the Assembly. He was unanimously chosen as minority leader in April 2009, following the resignation of Jim Tedisco.[3]

Kolb, a Republican, has served in the Assembly since February 2000, when he won a special election. The 129th District is comprised by portions of Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Ontario and Seneca counties in Upstate New York.[4]

Contents

Early life and career [edit]

Kolb was born in Rochester, New York. He received his Associate of Arts degree from Saint Petersburg Junior College in 1980. From 1986–87 he was the Town Supervisor for the Town of Richmond, and therefore also on the Ontario County Board of Supervisors. In 1996, he received his B.S. from Roberts Wesleyan College, and continued on to receive his M.S. in 1998. He became an adjunct professor at Roberts Wesleyan in 2000, a post he continues to hold.[2]

New York Assembly [edit]

Kolb was chosen in a special election held in February 2000, and re-elected four times since that time.[3] He won the November 2008 general election with 66 percent of the vote[5][6] and ran uncontested in the November 2010 general election.[7][8]

Kolb currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the Committee on Banks, and is a member of several other standing committees. He is also a member of the National Conference of State Legislators, American Legislative Exchange Council, and part of the Heartland Institute's Board of Directors.[3]

Refusal to seek higher office [edit]

Kolb had been named as a leading contender to challenge first-term Democrat Eric Massa (who eventually retired before seeking re-election) for the United States House of Representatives seat representing New York's 29th congressional district in 2010; however, he declined to seek the seat after becoming minority leader.[9] He has also declined an opportunity to run against Kirsten Gillibrand for United States Senate, again declined to seek the 29th district seat even after Massa's resignation,[10] and also declined to run for Congress in 2012, this time against Democrat Kathy Hochul.[11]

Personal life [edit]

Kolb resides in Canandaigua, New York. He is remarried to Lauren Kolb, and has three children: Britton, Clayton, and Kylie, from his first marriage.[3]

References [edit]

External links [edit]

New York Assembly
Preceded by
Craig J. Doran
New York State Assembly, 129th district
January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2012
Succeeded by
William B. Magnarelli
Preceded by
Harry B. Bronson
New York State Assembly, 131st district
January 1, 2013 – present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
James N. Tedisco
Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly
2009 – present
Incumbent