New York's 'voice for small business' names O’Mara 2026 ‘Guardian of Small Business’

I take great pride in being a strong and steady voice in the state Legislature for our small, independent business owners. Small business is the economic lifeline for thousands of local workers. 

Elmira, N.Y., October 5—New York’s leading voice for small and independent businesses, the National Federation of Independent Business of New York State (NFIB/NY), has named State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) an NFIB/NY 2026 “Guardian of Small Business.”

NFIB/NY represents 11,000 small and independent businesses regionally and statewide.

According to the group, the Guardian Award “is the most prestigious honor that the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support pro-small business policies and their stalwart advocacy in Albany on behalf of small and independently owned companies.”

O’Mara is one of only five state senators receiving the Guardian Award in 2026. The award goes to legislators who “demonstrated exceptional commitment and support of the small business community and received a 100-percent ranking in NFIB’s state legislative voting record during the 2025-2026 legislative sessions.”

Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s New York state director, said, “New York’s small businesses are facing significant financial stresses due to persistent inflation, high taxes and fees, steep energy costs, and excessive state regulatory burdens. The members of the Senate and Assembly recognized as 2026 ‘Guardians of Small Business’ have displayed an unwavering commitment to not only address the most pressing challenges small businesses are facing, but to stand firm against efforts to make New York an even more expensive and difficult place to do business in. Small businesses need lawmakers from both parties to stay focused on the multiple challenges and cost drivers that continue to diminish New York’s affordability and competitiveness. Main Street communities in New York remain at a breaking point, and small business owners from Long Island to Buffalo need champions in Albany, like those recognized today, that support pro-small business policies.”

O’Mara said, “I take great pride in being a strong and steady voice in the state Legislature for our small, independent business owners. Small business is the economic lifeline for thousands of local workers.  The surest way to revitalize upstate communities is through private-sector, manufacturing, small business job creation. I’m grateful for this recognition of my commitment to a future of economic development and job creation. Priority number one will be to stay focused on the upstate economy, upstate jobs, and the long-term economic rebuilding, recovery and security of upstate workers and their families. That means supporting policies and programs that strengthen our small businesses.”

O’Mara has consistently sponsored and strongly supported Senate legislation and other new laws and initiatives over the past several years aimed at turning around Upstate NY private-sector job growth through lower taxes, regulatory and other fiscal reforms, mandate relief, and a renewed commitment to private-sector job growth, with a particular emphasis on revitalizing the manufacturing sector.

O’Mara, a previous Guardian Award recipient, represents New York’s 58th Senate District comprised of all of Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties, and a portion of Allegany County.