Creating a more favorable business climate to stimulate job growth and to stop young people from leaving Western New York are among the Senator’s top priorities. Additionally, he believes the answers to New York State’s budget problems are cutting wasteful spending, lowering taxes, and reforming the way Albany does business. He is committed to reversing the negative impact State mandates have on local governments and taxpayers.

Senator Ranzenhofer serves as a citizen legislator – a dedicated public servant who still works and volunteers in the community. He represents individuals and businesses in both Genesee and Erie County as a partner at Friedman & Ranzenhofer, P.C., with offices located in Akron, Batavia, and Clarence. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Erie County Bar Association.

Over the years, he has always devoted his time to local community organizations. He has served as a member of the Erie County Youth Board, Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Erie County Correctional Facility/Erie County Holding Center Consolidation Task Force, Jewish Family Services, Amherst Task Force on Substance Use/Abuse, the University at Buffalo Medical School Institutional Review Board, and the Clarence-Newstead Meals on Wheels Task Force.

He has also served on the Amherst Youth Advisory Board, Amherst South Rotary Club, the Amherst Youth Foundation, and Amherst Jaycees. In addition, he has volunteered as an Assistant Coach for the Amherst Soccer and Hockey Associations and for the Lou Gehrig Baseball and Softball Leagues.

A longtime Amherst resident, he and his wife, Sue, have two children, Lisa and David. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1976. He received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from SUNY at Buffalo Law School in 1979.

The 61st State Senate District includes part of the City of Tonawanda, the Towns of Amherst, Clarence, Newstead, and Tonawanda in Erie County and all of Genesee County.