State Senate 62nd preview: Robert Ortt vs Peter Diachun

Tracy Schuhmacher | Democrat and Chronicle

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In the sprawling 62nd Senate District, incumbent state Sen. Robert Ortt faces a challenger for the first time in four years. Peter Diachun is running on the Green Party line; no Democratic candidate qualified for the ballot.

The two-year position has a salary of $79,500 plus stipends for committee work and per diem expenses. The district encompasses all of Niagara County, all of Orleans County, and the towns of Sweden and Ogden in Monroe County.

Ortt, 39, of North Tonawanda, Niagara County, was first elected in 2014 after George Maziarz retired amid an FBI investigation into his office. Ortt said that a major focus of his terms has been advocating for people with mental health and developmental disabilities; he is chair of that committee.

He advocates for small businesses and farmers by opposing legislation that adds to their regulatory, tax or overhead burden. “We need to work with our employers and not try to paint them as a problem," he said.

He is a staunch supporter of gun rights, and opposes efforts to further restrict gun ownership.

Last year, criminal charges against Ortt were dismissed. He had been accused of being complicit in a scheme to pad his salary as mayor of North Tonawanda through a no-show job for his wife, who was indirectly paid $21,500 over four years by the Niagara County Republican Committee. An Albany County judge said prosecutors did not provide direct evidence that Ortt knew the payments were coming from the county GOP.

“I said from the beginning that I thought the charges were politically motivated," Ortt said.

Diachun, 75, of Lewiston, Niagara County, said that his candidacy has one issue: to advocate for the New York Health Act, a proposal to establish a single-payer healthcare system, also known as Medicare-for-all or universal health care. It would provide full health care for every New Yorker with no deductibles, co-payments or networks. It has passed the Democrat-controlled Assembly four consecutive years but has been stymied in the Senate.

"It has become an excellent piece of legislation and it's exactly what we need," Diachun said. He said he does not have a campaign fund, and says he does not want one.

Robert Ortt

Party lines: Republican, Conservative, Independent, Reform.

Age: 39.

Family: Married.

Residence: North Tonawanda.

Experience and education:

• Served as mayor of North Tonawanda for five years.

• Served for eight years in the New York Army National Guard, including more than a year in Afghanistan.

• Holds a bachelor’s degree from Canisius College.

• Worked for Primerica Financial Services.

Top priorities in office:

• Advocate for people with mental health and developmental disabilities, including veteran's mental health and suicide.

• Advocate for policies favorable to small businesses and farmers, not adding to the regulatory, tax or overhead burden.

• Oppose efforts to restrict gun ownership.

Peter Diachun

Party line: Green Party.

Age: 75.

Family: Married, six grown children.

Residence: Lewiston.

Experience and education:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Kentucky.

• Retired; worked for several large corporations including Carborundum.

• Has not held elective office.

Top priority in office:

• Vote in favor of the New York Health Act, which would establish a universal single-payer health plan that would provide comprehensive health coverage for all New Yorkers.

TRACYS@Gannett.com