BUFFALO, N.Y. -- It's been nearly 20 years since a Republican in New York has held a U.S. Senate seat, but this time the GOP is looking to beat not only a popular incumbent, but the presumptive next Democratic leader in the Senate.
"We have decided to take back our country from the ruling class,” said Wendy Long, who will go up against Chuck Schumer in November. "You have the power as leaders of this party to do something that no one else, not even Donald Trump has the power to do, and that is to tell Chuck Schumer, ‘You're fired.’"
Friday in Buffalo, the State Republican Committee officially chose Long for the task.
The New York City attorney and former Supreme Court clerk tried once before in 2012 when she lost to junior Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
"You learn more from losing an election than you do from winning it and from losing that election this brilliant litigator Wendy Long, who served as a clerk on the United States Supreme Court for Justice [Clarence] Thomas, by golly she learned a lot and she is ready to go again and give Chuck Schumer a run for his money,” said GOP Chairman Ed Cox.
Schumer says the election season won't change how he does his job, telling reporters Friday in Syracuse that he doesn't know much about Long.
"I don't look over my shoulder. I do a good job. So far everything's worked out when you work hard so that's what I'm trying to do to win reelection, just work hard,” Schumer said.
And while Cox said candidates got out of the way for Long to run, another race still two years down the line remains very muddled right now. A number of potential candidates for governor were here and prevalent Friday.
"When's the last time you remember a story where people talked about a Republican bench. Been awhile,” said Rep. Chris Gibson, who is leaving his post in Congress at the end of this term.
Long, the gubernatorial candidates and the party as a whole are trying to capitalize on enthusiasm generated by the presidential primary process.
"The excitement is on our side. Everyone is talking about the Republican primary, the Republican candidates, the Republican ideas. They really are. You look at the lines and it's true,” said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
Surrogates for most of the remaining candidates made their case to committee members.
"A born leader, a winner, someone with vision, that's Donald Trump,” said Rep. Chris Collins, R-27th District.
Cox said he doesn't plan on endorsing a candidate ahead of next month’s primary.