A top chamber of commerce leader in Seneca County on Tuesday evening announced his bid for retiring Assemblyman Brian Kolb's seat.

Seneca County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jeff Shipley is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat, and pointed to what he said was a need for upstate voices in the Legislature, while criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“While President Trump has pushed a pro-growth agenda that’s benefitting the rest of the country. Cuomo’s anti-growth strategies are devastating our local economy and driving good, hardworking people out of New York state," Shipley said.

Shipley has worked in the business and tourism field in Seneca County and the surrounding region. He is also the project director the Tourism Promotion Agency in Seneca County and the chairman of the board of the Chamber Alliance of New York State.

Kolb stepped down as minority leader in January after he was charged with a DWI. Kolb crashed his state-owned vehicle on New Year's eve, and was later found to have had a blood alcohol content of 0.16. ​

Kolb last week announced he would not seek re-election to the Assembly, where he has held office since 2000.