Incoming State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro calling for new leadership in NY GOP

Joining us now is one of those Republicans, incoming state assemblyman and former congressman Mark Molinaro. Welcome to the show and congratulations on your election going back to Albany. What are you looking forward to? Well, first, thank you. Glad to be with you. Listen, this is where the fight is. I would recognize and I've said this, you know, when I served in the state legislature a long time ago, we don't win every vote. We don't win many votes, but we certainly can win the argument. And I think really that's the message both for Republicans. And for those of us in the minority representing important parts of New York, and that is that we've got to be better at connecting with voters, making sure that we're fighting their fights, and then messaging to them that we're standing up for them. For me, you know, I'll work with anybody, Republican and Democrat, if they're honest about trying to address the cost of living, provide for public safety, and really confront the corruption that has made Albany and New York government so costly and wasteful. Those are the things that are important. I think there's common ground on issues of data centers and AI. I think that we can find our way towards greater commonality on natural resource conservation. So these are all the things that are important. And I know you know this, and there are populations in New York that need people standing up for them, those dealing with mental illness, those living with disabilities. And so this is a space where, frankly, you know, Republicans can be better, again, connecting with voters. messaging to them and then delivering results. That's what that's what people expect. And our job in the minority is to hold the majority accountable. Yeah. You know, I was reading an opinion article you wrote a few days ago, and in it you say that voters in New York right now don't trust Republicans. What did you mean by that? Well, listen, they sent Republicans to Washington two years ago to deliver lower costs, to focus the federal government on America first issues. And what they saw was their costs continuing to rise, no question, gas, utilities, groceries still on the increase, and a war in Iran that, frankly, for right or for wrong. They don't understand and don't understand why we're there. And so they got the receipt from their purchase and they brought it back and they wanted to return in November. And so what I've said is, and I believe, it was a rebuke. It was a rebuke of Republicans. And we've got to be better. If we say we're going to drive down cost. I drive down cost. If we say that we're going to ensure that this government's more efficient and effective, it needs to be more efficient and effective. And then we have to be able to explain to voters where they are, how we delivered on these things. And if you don't deliver on those things, the voters aren't going to give you a pass. They didn't two weeks ago or a week ago. And by the way, same challenge for Democrats. They ran on lowering costs. They ran on fighting corruption. That can't be two years from now. Voters aren't going to be forgiving if costs continue to rise. And the only thing they did was weaponize government against Republicans. Just not going to be a winning message either. Yeah, Democrats actually have to deliver now on this. But, you know, you were arguing in the piece that you wrote that the... Republicans, if they want to win in a state like New York, they need to win over independents and Democrats. And also they need to firm up what the party stands for. It seemed to me that you were suggesting possibly that the state Republican Party should separate itself, define itself separate from the national Republican Party. Is that what you're trying to get at? So Republicans in New York need to define themselves. It's not about separating as much as ensuring that the voters in New York know who we are. and what we stand for and that ultimately they can trust us to deliver on those things and so we we haven't done a good job and frankly it is it's part because the party itself doesn't have the the right infrastructure it's in part because we don't collaborate and coordinate well enough among the different arms if you will of the party that the senate and the assembly the state state committee and the state apparatus and the local county and town apparatus there needs to be seamless cooperation to her credit. Governor Hochul was principally responsible for losing the House majority four years ago. And then the Senate, excuse me, and then the governor with Democrats statewide engaged in an effort to create one coordinated campaign apparatus. Republicans, after every loss of a statewide race since George Pataki, we've said the same thing. We need a coordinated effort, but we don't yet have one. And so, you know, I jokingly said the party needs an enema. I mean, we do need a bit of a cleaning, a reform. And frankly, a restructure so that we're all coordinating. But at the heart of it, and again, it's not just about the party. It's about our principles and our message. We, as office holders and candidates, need to be on the ground meeting people, Republican, Democrat, non-enrolled voters, independent voters, where they are, listening to the issues they care about, explaining how our ideas can solve the problems they face. And then deliver on them. And if we do not do those things, we will relegate ourselves to irrelevance. And I happen to think that voters of all backgrounds actually want, they're yearning, for some legitimate competition. We may not win statewide offices anytime soon. Maybe we do. But we have to be in a position of being a reasonable alternative for voters. And if we are not, they are going to continue to reward Democrats, even, by the way, when they're not necessarily buying what Democrats are selling. Yeah. Strengthening some of these Republican parties within their own communities. You also speak about, you know, strengthening the state Republican Party, you know, which would probably, I guess, theoretically try to bring these groups together. You know, you've expressed that you don't have faith anymore in the GOP chairman, Ed Cox. Is there somebody else that you want to see in that position? And, you know, how do you want to see this change? Well, first, it's not a matter of having faith in Ed Cox. He's a friend. And frankly, I've appreciated his support and leadership. It's now time for reform and change. When that happens is certainly up to the party itself, but it needs to happen. There needs to be an evolution. I can't tell you today that there's some magical creature out there who can take the helm and start leading this party. And so my message is from the top down and the bottom up, We have got to cultivate leaders within the party, and by the way, again, not just within the party, but within our ideology, right? There are conservatives and Republicans out there, office holders, young Republicans, committee folks who can provide some leadership. We need to be cultivating and encouraging them. And so there needs to be a process of evolution now, quick evolution now, that brings about It's about the kind of reforms necessary to To create a coordinated campaign, to make sure the locals and the state are collaborating, to ensure that the minorities in both houses are working together. And so, again, not sure that there's one person that can do that, but there needs to be a collaborative approach. And what I will tell you is that there are good people all throughout the party, all throughout New York State, that need to be encouraged to take leadership roles. Some of them are new office holders. Some of them are some of the... You know, the old guard, if you will. I mean, listen, folks like Dennis Vacco and George Pataki continue to have great insight and influence. Mike Lawler, who sadly just lost his reelection, needs to be in a leadership position. So there are people, there are certainly good people out there in New York who can help create, if you will, or recreate this loyal and effective alternative for voters who yearn for it. Interestingly, and I don't mean to ramble on a bit, but in the last Siena poll, The majority of independent voters trusted Bruce Blakeman more to drive down costs than Kathy Hochul, but they didn't feel confident enough to give him their vote. And that's what we have to confront. Our ideas may very well be something that voters like, but we have to be sure that we're in the position to deliver and that there is respect and trust between us and the voters and the voters and us. Yeah, you know, quickly, last question for you, you know, as you referenced, you know, some saw this election as rebuke against President Trump and his policies. But what I think is so interesting about your win is that you were a state assemblyman, then a county executive, then a congressman, and then you went to go work in the Trump administration for a time and then you left and then you ran for this assembly seat. So some people could have seen you as tied to Trump. But what do you think it was about your message and who you are as a candidate that won Well, certainly there are redder districts than this one where Republicans lost. I think, listen, I try to meet people where they are, I try to listen to them, and I try to be responsive. But also, you know, for my own personal record, I mean, I was the second most bipartisan member of Congress, have a long, deep record in state and local government in delivering. But that can end, too. You know, if I'm not responsive, if I'm not delivering on results, voters are not going to look favorably on that either. And that really is the message. It truly is. By the way, I don't think it was a rebuke of the president. Thank you. Of what of what voters thought they were getting and they didn't get it. And you can call it a big, beautiful bill if they don't understand what's in it or they're not seeing the results of it or they don't don't feel their personal economy and their personal conditions getting better. They're just not going to be forgiving. And again, it is a warning to Democrats as much as it was and should be a lesson that Republicans need to have learned based on this last election. Well, I look forward to seeing you up in Albany. Thank you so much for coming on. And it's so good to see you again. Thank you so much. Thank you. Be well. Thank you.