Cooperstown Native Bobby Walker Elected NYSYR Chair

ALBANY—At the 2025 Young Republican State Convention earlier this month in Albany, delegates rep-resenting more than 20 chapters of the Association of New York State Young Republican Clubs gathered and unanimously elected Bobby Walker of Albany County as chairman.

According to a press release, Walker served as NYSYR vice chairman for the last four years and is the first individual from the Albany County Chapter of the Young Republicans to lead the association in its 93-year history.

Walker is currently the communications coordinator to New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. He served as president of the Otsego County Young Republicans from 2015-2017 and was state chairman of the New York Federation of College Republicans from 2019-2021. He has been involved in state and local politics for 10 years, serving in senior roles on numerous political campaigns, including as communications director for Senator Peter Oberacker’s 2020 campaign, digital director for the New York Republican Party from 2020-2022, and digital strategy director for The Casale Group from 2018-2020.

Born and raised in Cooperstown, Walker was the founding member of the Otsego County Young Republicans in 2015.

As vice chairman, Walker has helped lead the New York State Young Republicans through a period of immense revitalization, officials said.
“Over the past two years, this diverse coalition has been responsible for making more than 3.5 million voter contacts as well as recruiting and electing dozens of Young Republicans to office in every corner of the state,” the press release reads.

Since 2021, the association has chartered more than a dozen new chapters. These efforts have been fueled by renewed donor interest and new programs designed to help local chapters boost community engagement and voter education, according to NYSYR officials.

“It is the honor of my life to serve as the 48th chairman of the New York State Young Republicans,” said Walker. “Over the past decade, I’ve worked to rebuild our movement from the ground up—starting in Otsego County, expanding across New York as chairman of the College Republicans, and serving the past four years as vice chairman of this association.

“Together, we’ve launched new chapters, tripled our get-out-the-vote efforts, and elected over 100 Young Republicans to office. With more than 3.5 million voter contacts made by our members, we’ve proven that young conservatives are the future of New York,” Walker said.

“Our mission is clear: Victory at all costs. We’re going to be laser-focused on the issues that matter most to young New Yorkers—safe streets, good schools, and an economy where people can actually build a future,” Walker continued. “At the same time, we’re going to grow Republican enrollment and make sure we’re competing everywhere—from early voting to absentee ballots—because we can’t let Democrats keep gaming the system. The Young Republicans are the engine of this party, and with the fight we’re bringing, I know we’ll rack up wins in 2025 and beyond.”

Also elected at this year’s convention were: Vice Chair Rebeca Oliveira of Queens County; Treasurer Elizabeth Ruh of New York County; Recording Secretary DawnMarie Kuhn of Suffolk County; Corresponding Secretary Dustin Hall of Warren County; National Committeewoman Anne Kaykaty of Richmond County; and National Committeeman Peter Giunta of Richmond County.

More than 200 people gathered in the ballroom at the Marriott Hotel in Albany for the NYSYR’s 29th Annual Teddy Roosevelt Dinner, where Congresswoman Elise Stefanik delivered a keynote speech and accepted the Theodore Pomeroy Congressmember of the Year Award.

“As the proud representative of New York’s 21st District, and the House Republican Leadership chair, I am honored to receive the distinguished designation of Congresswoman of the Year,” said Stefanik. “I want to thank Bobby Walker, Peter Giunta and all of the hardworking Young Republicans who are the backbone of our party, for all the work they do to ensure Republican victories up and down the ballot in New York.”

“Congresswoman Stefanik has been a relentless champion for our Young Republicans and a true fighter for New York. Her selfless decision to decline a Presidential Cabinet nomination to stay in Congress and advance President Donald Trump’s agenda proves her unwavering commitment to America’s future,” Walker said. “Hailing from Upstate New York, she embodies the grit and dedication we cherish in our state and our organization. We stand with Elise 100 percent with whatever her next steps are and we will always back her.”

Other awardees included: Walter Mahoney State Senator of the Year, Senator Peter Oberacker; Wheeler Milmoe State Assemblymember of the Year, Assemblyman Chris Tague; Seth Low Municipal Official of the Year, Dutchess County Legislature Chairman William Truitt; Jean McKee YR Woman of the Year, New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov; George H. Sibley Young Republican of the Year, Otsego GOP Chairman Daniel Koerner; Gerrans Building Chapter of the Year, Erie County Young Republicans; and Bryon McKim Alumni of the Year, Sal Calise.

According to the press release, the New York State Young Republicans serve as a resource for Young Republicans from Buffalo to Montauk to express their political opinions, learn about politics and civics, receive campaign training, network with like-minded people from across the state, and become more involved in their community.

“We are a diverse coalition of volunteers, professional operatives, public servants, elected officials, young professionals and business owners,” officials said. “Our mission is to support the principles and objectives of the New York Republican State Committee and Young Republican National Federation.”

New Yorkers between the ages of 18-40 years old who want to make an impact can get involved today by visiting www.nysyr.com to find their local chapter.