Joseph Robach
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Joseph E. Robach
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| honorific-suffix =
| image = Joseph Robach.jpg
| state_senate = New York State
| district = 56th
| term_start = January 1, 2003
| term_end = December 31, 2020
| predecessor = Richard A. Dollinger
| successor = Jeremy Cooney
| state_assembly2 = New York
| district2 = 134th
| term_start2 = November 5, 1991
| term_end2 = December 31, 2002
| predecessor2 = Roger J. Robach
| successor2 = Bill Reilich
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|02|22}}
| birth_place = Rochester, New York, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| restingplacecoordinates =
| birthname =
| citizenship =
| nationality =
| party = Republican (2002-present)
| otherparty = Democratic (1991-2002)
| spouse =
| partner =
| relations =
| children = 3
| parents = Roger J. Robach, Terri Fallocco
| residence = Greece, New York
| education = Aquinas Institute
| alma_mater = State University of New York College at Brockport (BS, MPA)
| occupation =
| website = {{URL|https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/joseph-e-robach|Former Senate website}}
}}
Joseph E. Robach (born February 22, 1958) is an American politician who was a member of the New York Senate, representing the 56th district from 2003 until 2020. The district includes portions of Rochester, New York and the surrounding communities.
A Republican, Robach formerly served in the New York State Assembly as a Democrat from 1991 to 2002.
Background
Robach was born on February 22, 1958, the son of Assemblyman Roger J. Robach (1934–1991) and Teresa Fallocco.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/01/nyregion/roger-j-robach-assemblyman-from-rochester-is-dead-at-57.html|title=Roger J. Robach, Assemblyman From Rochester, Is Dead at 57|last=Sack|first=Kevin|date=1991-10-01|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-02-06|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} He graduated from Aquinas Institute and the State University of New York College at Brockport, where he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/10/21/robach-lewis-56-state-senate-seat/92005290/|title=56th Senate District: Robach, Lewis vie|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}}
In 1991, Robach entered politics as a Democrat, and was elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election in November of that year to the seat vacated by the death of his father.{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/blogs/political-scene/2007/01/04/robach-to-stay-a-republican-for-now/2269929/|title=Robach to stay a Republican - for now|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}} As an Assemblyman, Robach often had the support of the Conservative Party of New York State. He would serve in the Assembly until 2002.{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/10/23/cooney-looks-unseat-robach-56th-senate-district/1681968002/|title=Cooney looks to unseat Robach in NY's 56th Senate District|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}}
In 2018, Robach weighed running for the United States House of Representatives to succeed Louise Slaughter, who had died. He ultimately decided not to run.{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/03/24/sen-joe-robach-wont-run/455441002/|title=Sen. Joe Robach won't run for Louise Slaughter's congressional seat|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}}
New York Senate
In 2002, Robach switched parties to become a Republican.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wxxinews.org/government/2019-12-11/state-sen-joe-robach-will-not-run-for-re-election|title=State Sen. Joe Robach will not run for re-election|date=December 11, 2019|website=WXXI News}} In lieu of running for another term in the Assembly, he opted to run for the New York State Senate, where he defeated Harry Bronson 66% to 33%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wxxinews.org/post/sen-joe-robach-says-he-wont-run-congressional-seat-held-louise-slaughter|title=Sen. Joe Robach says he won't run for the Congressional seat held by Louise Slaughter|last=Gorbman|first=Randy|website=www.wxxinews.org|language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}} Since his initial election, Robach has never faced serious opposition, with an exception in 2008, when he narrowly defeated Richard A. Dollinger 52% to 48%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=471422|title=Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 56 Race - Nov 04, 2008|website=www.ourcampaigns.com|access-date=2019-02-06}}
Despite the district being overwhelmingly Democratic by voter registration, Robach was unopposed in 2012 and 2014. He won reelection by double digits in 2016 and 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=6113|title=Our Campaigns - Candidate - Joseph E. Robach|website=www.ourcampaigns.com|access-date=2019-02-06}}
On December 11, 2019, Robach announced that he would not run for reelection in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wxxinews.org/post/state-sen-joe-robach-will-not-run-re-election|title=State Sen. Joe Robach will not run for re-election|website=www.wxxinews.org|access-date=2019-12-11}}
Post-political career
Currently, Robach hosts a weekly radio show on WYSL.{{cite web |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/local-politics/2021/11/22/retired-new-york-senator-joe-robach-finds-a-new-way-to-be-heard |title=Retired New York Sen. Joe Robach Find a New Way to Be Heard |date=November 21, 2021 |publisher=Spectrum News}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-ny-hs}}
{{succession box | title = New York State Assembly
134th District | before = Roger J. Robach | years = 1991–2002 | after = Bill Reilich}}
{{s-par|us-ny-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=Patricia McGee}}
{{s-ttl|title=New York State Senate
56th District|years=2003–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=Jeremy Cooney}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robach, Joseph}}
Category:Members of the New York State Assembly
Category:New York (state) Republicans
Category:New York (state) Democrats
Category:New York (state) state senators
Category:People from Greece, New York
Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature
Category:20th-century members of the New York State Legislature
{{NewYork-NYSenate-stub}}