Michael H. Ranzenhofer (born August 15, 1954)
is an American politician from the state of
New York. From 2009 until 2020, Ranzenhofer was a
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
member of the
New York State Senate from the
61st district.
Education
Ranzenhofer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the
University at Albany, SUNY
The State University of New York at Albany, commonly referred to as the University at Albany, UAlbany or SUNY Albany, is a public research university with campuses in Albany, Rensselaer, and Guilderland, New York. Founded in 1844, it is one ...
1976 and a
Juris Doctor from the
SUNY at Buffalo School of Law in 1979.
Career
He is a partner at the law firm of Friedman and Ranzenhofer.
Ranzenhofer served in the Erie County Legislature from 1989 through 2008.
While a legislator, he has served as the Legislature's
Majority Leader
In U.S. politics (as well as in some other countries utilizing the presidential system), the majority floor leader is a partisan position in a legislative body. during the budget crisis with then County Executive Joel Giambra and
Minority Leader. He served on the Community Enrichment Committee and the Human Services Committee. He reportedly considered a race for Justice of the
New York State Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in the New York State Unified Court System. (Its Appellate Division is also the highest intermediate appellate court.) It is vested with unlimited civ ...
during his tenure in the County Legislature.
Ranzenhofer was first elected to the State Senate on November 4, 2008.
In 2011, Ranzenhofer voted against the Marriage Equality Act allowing same-sex marriage in New York.
In 2014, Ranzenhofer appeared on ''
The Daily Show
''The Daily Show'' is an American late-night talk and satirical news television program. It airs each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central with release shortly after on Paramount+. ''The Daily Show'' draws its comedy and satire form from ...
'' to talk about yogurt legislation in New York State, which the host called "absurd".
In December 2019, Ranzenhofer announced that he would not seek re-election the following fall.
He was succeeded by fellow Republican
Edward Rath III.
Personal life
Ranzenhofer is a longtime resident of the town of
Amherst, New York
Amherst () is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. Amherst is an inner ring suburb of Buffalo. As of 2020, the town had a total population of 129,595. This represents an increase from 122,366 as reported in the 2010 census.
The second ...
. He and his wife Sue have two children: Lisa and David.
See also
*
2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis
References
External links
New York State Senate: Michael H. Ranzenhofer
1954 births
Living people
New York (state) lawyers
Republican Party New York (state) state senators
People from Amherst, New York
University at Albany, SUNY alumni
University at Buffalo Law School alumni
County legislators in New York (state)
21st-century American politicians
{{NewYork-NYSenate-stub