About New York State Senator Robert G. Rolison

Rob Rolison has earned a reputation as a dedicated public servant and proven leader who gets results.

On November 8, 2022, Rob was elected to the New York State Senate and he’s currently serving in his first term, delivering on issues such as public safety, affordability, and returning authority to the local communities where our residents live. The 39th Senate District includes parts of Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam counties.

Prior to being Senator, Rob served as Mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie for two terms. Upon taking office in 2016, Rob inherited a city in severe economic distress. He very quickly and successfully turned the city around – reducing the general fund deficit by $10 million and saving the city from the brink of economic disaster.

Working closely with the Poughkeepsie City School District, Rob helped form the Children’s Cabinet to create a shared vision and cradle-to-career agenda for child and youth development throughout the city. The innovative concept is the only one of its kind outside of New York City.

Rob also led the effort to attract and retain members of the Police Department; as a result of his leadership on this initiative, the City earned a statewide award from the New York State Conference of Mayors.

Rob also led key infrastructure projects to create better roads, bridges, and sidewalks throughout the city. Thanks to Rob’s leadership, the City continues to invest millions of dollars to improve its parks.

Prior to serving as Mayor, Rob was a member of the Dutchess County Legislature for 12 years, representing the City and Town of Poughkeepsie. In this capacity Rob served as Chairman of the Legislature’s Public Safety as well as Children and Families committees. In 2010, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman, a position he held for six consecutive years.

Throughout his tenure, he has been a champion for fiscal discipline, holding the line on taxes in both the City and County while still delivering the critical services people need. Rob has also been a committed fighter against unfunded mandates and staunchly opposes Albany’s multi-million-dollar Medicaid cost-shift to the counties.

Since age 18, Rob has been committed to serving and protecting the community. He has been a leading voice for public safety and has been a tireless advocate on behalf of families, children, and crime victims in Dutchess County and beyond.

Rob attended Marist College, majoring in Criminal Justice. In 1982 he joined the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department where he served 12 years in the Patrol Division. Rob worked his way up the ranks and was promoted to Detective, a post he held for 14 years. During this time, Rob also became a state-certified Police Juvenile Officer.

Rob was elected PBA President for two consecutive five-year terms before retiring in February of 2008. Upon retirement, Rob concluded a 26-year career protecting the Town of Poughkeepsie’s residents.

Rob was a Member of the New York Conference of Mayors and former Co-Chairman of the Crime Victims Committee of the Dutchess County Criminal Justice Council. He served as Chairman of the Hudson Valley Regional Council, on the Board of Trustees of Dutchess Community College and the Board of Directors of the Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

He was a State Advisory Board member for the Office of Children and Family Services and has also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, St. Simeon Board of Directors in the City of Poughkeepsie, Catharine Street Community Center’s Board of Directors, and the American Red Cross Dutchess County Chapter Board of Directors.

Rob is the son of the late Senator Jay P. Rolison, Jr. He is a lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie where he proudly raised his son Christopher and continues to reside with his wife, Lori.