George Amedore Jr., vice-president of Amedore Homes, promised to give New York an extreme makeover as he announced his candidacy for state Assembly at a press conference Tuesday, June 19.
Amedore recently became a household name in the Capital District following his participation in ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
With dozens of supporters gathered at Rotterdam’s Town Hall, including top local Republicans, Amedore was endorsed as the Republican candidate for the 105th Assembly District seat that will be vacated by Democrat Paul Tonko, who has been named president of NYSERDA.
Amedore touted himself as a friend to working families and promised to lower taxes, cut spending and create jobs in New York.
State Assembly minority leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, who grew up in Rotterdam, said Amedore is a local candidate who shares his same values. He said Amedore was the best person to run for the seat, which has been held by a Democrat for 25 years.
Tedisco said Amedore has always contributed to the community in one way or another, and could do even more good as a state assemblyman.
`He is a terrific candidate, a terrific guy and would make an even better state assemblyman,` Tedisco said.
Amedore has never held an elected position before, but said he is not new to public service.
`I understand what community service is all about and what helping people is all about,` he said.
Amedore said his three passions in life are God and family, building safe, efficient and affordable homes; and serving his community.
Amedore, through his family-owned business Amedore Homes, has participated in many community service projects, including the redesign and construction of the Ronald McDonald Wing at Albany Medical Center, construction of a Schenectady group home for Hospice patients and the remodel of a Texas orphanage.
Amedore is active in nonprofit organizations, including the Rotterdam Little League.
He said what he would bring to the state Assembly is a business perspective.
`As a businessman, I understand the needs and burdens we face. I understand the needs of customers and how to produce a product that they are proud of,` Amedore said. `These principles are not being applied in state government today.`
Amedore said as a home builder, his job is to provide people with the American dream of owning their own home, but, he said, too often the dream turns into a nightmare with high property taxes. He said his goal is to turn that nightmare into a happy reality by lowering taxes.
He also said he would never vote for a budget that increases spending more than the rate of inflation, and promised to work toward creating jobs within the state to keep more young people in New York.
`I have a public servant’s heart,` he said. `I am that leader to take on the challenge in Albany.`
County Legislator Ed Kosiur, D-Schenectady, said he plans to formally announce his candidacy for the Assembly seat next week. He pointed to the `extreme makeover` of downtown Schenectady as a testament of what he could do as a state assemblyman.
`In just three and a half years, we have transformed downtown from a bunch of rundown buildings to a viable area with Villa Italia, the Hampton Inn, Proctor’s and Movieland Cinema,` he said.
Kosiur said he plans to focus on cutting taxes for middle income families, seniors and veterans, increasing intergovernmental cooperation and advocating for youth.
County Legislator Joe Suhrada, R-Schenectady, said he agreed with Amedore’s views on lowering taxes and reducing spending. Suhrada said Kosiur has voted for every increase in taxes and spending that has come across the county legislature.
`George Amedore is the best candidate,` Suhrada said. `He will do a good job serving the working families that make up the majority of this area.` “