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Ann Marie Heizmann
Ann Marie Heizmann (Republican Party) ran for election to the New York State Assembly to represent District 131. She lost in the Republican primary on June 23, 2020.
Heizmann completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ann Marie Heizmann was born in Syracuse, New York. Heizmann earned an associate degree in arts and mathematics/science in 1994 and a B.S. in chemistry in June 2000. She studied at Onondaga Community College, University College at Syracuse University, Cayuga Community College, and William Smith College. Her professional experience includes working as a farmer at Meadeville Farms, as president of the Seneca County Farm Bureau, as a fitness instructor, and as the herb garden manager for the New York Chiropratic College. Her previous work experience includes:[1]
- Inficon - Analytical Chemist/Trainer (2005-2008)
- Finger Lakes Radio Group - Marketing Consultant (2004-2005)
- York Central School - Computer Tech Coordinator (2002-2003)
- Hobart & William Smith College - Lab Instructor (2000-2001)
- Romulus Central School - Computer Lab TA (1999-2000)
- Boeff Golf - PR & Marketing Director (1998-2000)
- Contract Positions (1997-1998):
- GC Hanford Manufacturing - Chemist
- Bristol-Myers Squibb - Validation Tech
- Zotos International - Chem Analyst
- Ferro Corp - QC Tech (1996-1997)
- Mobile - Computer Oper (1992)
- Goulds Pumps - Computer Oper (1989-1991)
- Met Life - Disability Claims (1985-1988)
- St. Elizabeth Hospital (1985-1986)
- Carrier Corp - Auditor (1984-1985)
- Emkay Candles - Lab Asst. (summers of 1982 and 1983)
Heizmann has served as president of the New York Farm Bureau - Seneca County Chapter, as treasurer of the Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension, and as chair of the Fundraising Committee for the St. Mary's Church Parish Council. She previously served with the Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Little League, as a soccer coach, on special education committees, and as a religious education teacher.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2020
General election
General election for New York State Assembly District 131
Jeff Gallahan defeated Matthew Miller and Cynthia Wade in the general election for New York State Assembly District 131 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jeff Gallahan (R / Conservative Party) | 56.1 | 37,410 |
| Matthew Miller (D) | 42.0 | 28,049 | ||
| Cynthia Wade (Serve America Movement Party) | 1.8 | 1,230 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 24 | ||
| Total votes: 66,713 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Matthew Miller advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 131.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 131
Jeff Gallahan defeated Cynthia Wade, Jeff Shipley, and Ann Marie Heizmann in the Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 131 on June 23, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeff Gallahan | 38.5 | 3,479 |
| Cynthia Wade | 34.1 | 3,077 | ||
| Jeff Shipley | 17.2 | 1,556 | ||
 | Ann Marie Heizmann | 10.1 | 911 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 10 | ||
| Total votes: 9,033 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Jeff Gallahan advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Assembly District 131.
Independence Party primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jeff Gallahan (Independence Party)
Serve America Movement Party primary election
The Serve America Movement Party primary election was canceled. Cynthia Wade advanced from the Serve America Movement Party primary for New York State Assembly District 131.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jeff Gallahan (Serve America Movement Party)
Endorsements
To view Heizmann's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
Campaign themes
2020
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 20, 2020 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ann Marie Heizmann completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Heizmann's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Restore Liberty by stopping Executive Dictatorial Rule
- Rebuild our local economy for Small Business, Agriculture, and Tourism
- Return to the Constitution by protecting ALL our unalienable rights
The government should not be telling us if the work we do is essential or not. It should not be oppressively taxing us, which currently it does without representation, since the Executive branch has taken over full control. Finally, it should not be locking us in our homes, telling us who we can or can't assemble with, and threatening us to take mandatory vaccines. These decisions should be made by ourselves, informed, educated, and only by our consent. We choose how to raise our families, we choose how to live our lives, and as your representative I will make sure that your voice is heard above all others.
Not being a politician, he was able to take his first political office as Governor of California while the state was primarily Democratic, and despite a recall attempt a year later was re-elected to a second term.
His ability to not only communicate with everyone, but even to get life-long democrats to not only support him, but also get some to switch parties in order to do so (Congressmen Eugene Atkinson is one example) was an ability that I have strove for in my prior lobbying efforts.
There are several quotes of President Reagan that quantify my values. Three examples would be:
"There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit."
"Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem."
"We in government should learn to look at our country with the eyes of the entrepreneur, seeing possibilities where others see only problems."
General Patton epitomized the valor and courage that made up most of the "Greatest Generation", the American men and women who fought World War II.
In the end, political brinkmanship caused an end to a fine military career, and the inability of the political leadership to listen to the "gruff old man" resulted in over 40 years of the Cold War.
General Patton may have not been politically correct, but I admire his willingness to sacrifice all to do the right thing for his country and his men.
Caring is extremely important because if an elected official does not care about his constituents, their needs, their concerns, and their ideas, that elected official will provide very poor service to his community. A successful representative must listen to their constituents, and in order to do that correctly he or she has to truly care.
Stewardship is equally as important. The representative of a district is assigned not only the job of making their constituents voices heard, but also the job of managing the financial health of the community. Watching over the budget, stopping unfunded mandates, and trying to procure funding so that the needs of the community are met are major components of the position.
They also must be stewards of the land and the local business economy, making sure that any regulations that come up are in the best interest of the community.
My varied professional experience has given me unique insights including:
1) As a Chemist, including time spent working on water quality and specializing in anti-terrorism detection of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) attacks for DOD and Homeland Security to protect our water systems.
2) As a Teacher and Trainer, both at the scholastic and adult level with experience in Special Education.
3) As both a Farmer and President of the County Farm Bureau enabling me to address many of the issues that concern our community.
Those concerns include Agriculture, Education, and local Water Quality.
Our Education system is going under a rebuild. Unfortunately, those in charge of the changes are not experienced educators. Teachers voices need to be heard and I will be able to do that.
Our lakes provide not only the water supply, but are integral to our Tourism industry. Proper stewardship of those resources is vital in maintaining the local economy, which depends tremendously on Agricultural Tourism (Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, and Cheese Trail), the Hospitality Industry, and Family Activities (Fishing, Hunting, Golfing, Water Sports, and Bird Sanctuaries).
Second, it is the requirement to build relationships with the other elected officials in the legislature so that the districts concerns are not only heard, but acted upon in a positive manner.
Third, it is the duty of the elected official to defend the interests of the district, making sure that no undue burden is placed upon them by either taxation or regulation.
I want to see a New York that stands for Liberty; not just by having a statue, but by defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Where the residents feel that they have a government that they control, not that they are controlled by the government.
Our state motto is "Excelsior", meaning ever upward. That is how our economy should be, that is how our hope should be, and that is where our dreams should be. I want New York to be the land where the American Dream thrives, not dies.
While I was extremely young, my grandparents reinforced those events and probably caused both my interest in science and my knowledge that anything is possible if enough people put their mind to do something amazing.
One cannot be successful in farming without knowing how to be efficient, resourceful, and most importantly, doing more with less. These key qualities will be extremely helpful in my role as a representative for the 131st District in the NYS Assembly.
I found the book better than the movie, but both were well done.
She is strong, unafraid, and willing to sacrifice to do the right thing. Her past wasn't perfect, but that didn't stop her from becoming who she wanted to be.
According to Nathan Willett from the band, the meaning of the song is, "It is about supernatural love - looking for inspiration and meaning, surrendering to feeling, love calling out your name and that journey we must go on to find it."
"Love is mystical" was from a book written by Franciscan Friar, Richard Rohr. The book was titled "Falling Upwards".
My oldest had a Grand Mal Seizure as a reaction to the pertussis vaccine as a baby. As a result, occupational therapy was required for several years for him to achieve proper tactile / fine motor function.
My next child actually had both medical issues as a baby from ear infections, resulting in temporary hearing loss, and later discovered mental health issues from a bi-polar condition. This resulted not only in speech therapy, but also having to receive specialized schooling.
I was lucky in the fact that I was able to get him into the Avalon School in Rochester, a school for mental health patients (actual diagnosed medical conditions, not behavioral problems) who possess high IQ's, but his took a lot of mine and my husband's time, creating issues between work life, parenting the older child, and taking care of the special needs child.
As a result of this, I became a Parent Representative for special needs parents. Having had a minor in Education, I took the necessary classes to become an advocate for special needs families. These experiences taught me the value of having a fully functioning Mental Health System and also the additional burdens that the parents of these children struggle with every day.
The purpose of the two houses are to provide wider local representation at the Assembly level, while the Senate, due to its constructs, tends to have a more regional view. Thus we normally would see legislation proposed by the Assembly that may only have a local interest immediately, but their ability to present these items allows the Assembly to discuss them and then pass them along to the Senate. The Senate can then, if working properly, evaluate the the worthiness of the proposed legislation from a regional standpoint and move forward if a consensus exists.
These differences exist to provide the opportunity for local views to be heard while still being evaluated on a more statewide basis.
We have had enough lawyers and politicians. The government was never meant to become it's own employment class, but rather a cross section of all classes. We need more shop-keeps, truckers, farmers, and tradesman in office.
The plumber will understand that sh*t rolls downhill before they put up another unfunded mandate; the carpenter will know that we cannot build a budget based on a poor foundation; and the farmer will know how to do it more efficiently and more importantly, how to make things work when the resources are limited. A lawyer will only know how to complicate the procedure and a politician will know how to make something sound good that isn't.
The Governor is wrong thinking that people are leaving for the weather, as a former presidential campaign once said, "It's the Economy Stupid"; and the taxes affect the economy.
Our biggest challenge will be to reduce the tax burden upon all New Yorker's, remove as many regulations as possible on all business, both great and small, and restore a sense of pride in being from New York. We have one of the most picturesque states in the nation, with beautiful farm land, tremendous resources, and one of the smartest labor forces anywhere.
However we continue to dumb down our schools through programs like "Common Core", out price seniors with property taxes, and limit opportunities to our youth. We need to bring back manufacturing, support local supply chains, and enhance business opportunities throughout the state.
The legislature should be the ones making laws (or preferably repealing them). The Governor signs that law into effect (or vetoes it), but does not create law on his own. The Judicial branch determines the constitutionality of such law and makes sure that great impositions are not placed upon the people of the state.
Our Governor currently creates law through a budget process that does not allow debate. He forces a gun to the head of most legislators (figuratively, as the governor has banned as many real guns as possible through unconstitutional law) to pass the budget without changes. Then he does not allow revisions, even declaring that many of the revisions proposed by the legislature unconstitutional without allowing the courts to discuss the decisions.
In addition, he has assumed the power to adjust the budget as he sees the need. It is one man rule with Governor Cuomo, "The Benevolent", establishing his authority over his fiefdom. We need to change that!
Unless you are able to listen to others, no one will ever care what you think. Dale Carnegie, in his best-selling book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People", said it best, "If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own."
Without a relationship, you will never get to know the other persons point of view.
I have done this over the last decade as a volunteer lobbyist for both the Seneca County Farm Bureau and various other organizations in the district. I have worked with downstate legislators, on both sides of the aisle, as well as my local upstate legislators. The key to my success has not been in lecturing my counter-parts on why my ideas were right and theirs were wrong, rather on getting to know them first, learning about their needs, and trying to find ways I could help.
Mr. Carnegie also said, "[T]he only way on earth to influence other people is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it."
AG - As representative of an Agricultural district, the policies created here would most impact my district. My farm experience allows me to bring strength to the table.
EDUCATION - Our youth are our greatest resource. My background in teaching and adult training will give me insight to assist on these issues.
MENTAL HEALTH - As a mother of a special needs child, I have been through the Mental Health Care System and have experienced both the positive and negatives that exist currently. Proper care can result in productive lives, while the lack of it only causes misery and costs the taxpayers more in the future. A dollar spent wisely here can save thousands down the road.
SMALL BUSINESS - This is the life blood of our economy. The reduction of regulations is critical to bring New York back to health. Any legislation coming out of this committee will have huge implications on our state's success.
In order to properly represent my district, I will need to give voice to their concerns. That voice may not align with the political views of a particular party. I am here to represent all of my constituents, whether they voted for me, are registered in the same party as I, or not. Leadership in the party forces you to serve another master, the dictates of the party.
Too many times compromise is made in favor of party politics, rather than in favor of the people. I am an employee of the people. I work for them. I belong to the Republican Party because my ideals align best with them, but as a representative, I never want to feel that I am an employee of the Party.
"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." Luke 16:13
When in office I remember her taking a stance against the "Closed door deals" that happen in Albany and referring to the Legislature as a "Soap Opera". That was in the late 80's and some things have never changed.
While I did not agree with many of her political views, especially her extreme pro-choice positions, I admired her moxy.
That being said, if the opportunity arose and my constituents felt that I could serve them better as a State Senator or at the Federal level in Washington, D.C., I would consider the option.
As far as touching, I have run into many instances where government paperwork, bureaucracy, or red-tape inhibited people from receiving much needed medical supplies or support. In many cases, it was concerned citizens coming to the rescue. Examples of this were a veteran obtaining a scooter from local business people so that he was no longer house bound, or a fibromyalgia patient getting a much needed wheelchair.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
