ALBANY – Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark) is on a short list of potential successors to Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, who announced this week that he will step down from the leadership post, according to a source with direct knowledge of conversations within the Republican conference.

The source said multiple members of the conference are being seriously considered and that discussions are ongoing as Republicans weigh their next leadership team. In addition to Brabenec, Assemblymembers MaryBeth Walsh, Ed Ra, and Steve Hawley have all been mentioned as possible replacements.

Barclay, who has led the Assembly Republicans since 2020, announced his intention to retire from the Legislature and step down as leader, setting off internal conversations within the GOP conference about its future direction.

Brabenec, who is serving his sixth term in the Assembly, currently serves as assistant minority leader, overseeing legislative procedures and managing all minority committee operations. Reached for comment on Thursday night, Brabenec praised Barclay’s tenure and was humble about his name being floated.

“Leader Barclay has done an outstanding job, and whoever takes over has big shoes to fill,” Brabenec said. “I’m humbled and honored that my name is even being mentioned. My colleagues and I are going to continue these conversations, and I know we’re all going to move forward with the best person for the conference. We’re a big family, and we need strong leadership to fight back against Albany’s insanity.”

“Leader Barclay has done an outstanding job, and whoever takes over has big shoes to fill,” Brabenec said. “I’m humbled and honored that my name is even being mentioned. My colleagues and I are going to continue these conversations, and I know we’re all going to move forward with the best person for the conference. We’re a big family, and we need strong leadership to fight back against Albany’s insanity.”