A long-serving Republican state senator in New York, James Seward, has died at the age of 72, Spectrum News reported.

Seward passed away on Saturday following a years-long battle against cancer, according to the lawmaker's former chief of staff, Duncan Davie.

Per The Daily Gazette, Seward was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2016 but continued to serve as the disease went into remission thanks to extensive treatment, only to then retire in 2020 after the cancer reemerged a year earlier.

Life-long interest and service in politics

The local CBS affiliate in Rochester, WROC, reported that State Sen. Seward was born and raised in Oneota in 1951, attended public schools there, and earned a political science degree from Hartwick College, which later honored him in 1999 with an honorary law degree.

Seward was a Republican from the beginning and first served his community as a town justice for Milford and rose to become the Otsego County Republican Committee chairman, from which he served as a delegate in three Republican National Conventions -- 1976, 1980, and 1988 -- and was an alternate delegate for the 1996 convention.

The Daily Gazette noted that Seward, who worked as a state legislative aide while attending Hartwick, became interested in politics as a teenager and first ran for a seat in the state legislature at age 20 but lost. He was undeterred, however, and later mounted a successful bid for a state Senate seat in 1986.

Because of redistricting, Seward represented both the 50th and 51st Districts during his tenure in the state Senate, and as he rose in seniority he gained the chair of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee, the Standing Committee on Insurance, and was the ranking minority member on the Finance Committee, in addition to his prior leadership roles as majority whip and assistant majority leader.

Outside of his work as a state legislator, Seward also served as a regional advisory board member for Community Bank, was a trustee for the opera house in Cooperstown, and was a member of the board for a Pathfinder Village in Otsego County and for the Catskill Symphony. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and their two adult children, Ryan and Lauren, plus grandchildren.

A "true icon" in state politics

The Niagra Gazette reported that when Seward retired in 2020 due to cancer, he was succeeded in the state Senate by his friend, Republican State Sen. Peter Oberacker, who said in a statement that the man he replaced was a "true icon in New York State politics."

"As we mourn his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to Cindy and the entire Seward family, we also pause to celebrate a life well-lived," Oberacker said. "Jim’s legacy, respected by both sides of the aisle, will be remembered with great admiration. I will forever cherish the time I spent with Jim, his invaluable counsel, insightful perspectives, and profound wisdom."

Also heralding the late state legislator was U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY), who said, "It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of former New York Senator James Seward, a public servant whose leadership and dedication have left a lasting impact on his community and his state," and added, "As we honor his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of New Yorkers, his legacy of integrity, passion, and profound decency will never be forgotten."

More praise for Seward

According to Spectrum News, Seward was praised by Otsego County Republican Chair Daniel Koerner as a "legend" and "esteemed statesman" who displayed an "unwavering commitment and dedication" to his community and the broader region and whose "leadership, integrity, and tireless efforts left a lasting impact that will be felt for generations."

While we are saddened by Jim’s passing, we also celebrate his remarkable contributions and the enduring values he championed. Senator Seward’s memory will always be cherished, and his legacy will continue to guide and inspire us," the chairman added.

Also weighing in was Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, who said in a statement, "We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Senator James Seward, an outstanding public servant I was proud to call a friend, a colleague, and a mentor," and added, "We will remember Senator Seward for being an outstanding voice for Upstate, and always ensuring his district was well represented. We thank him for his many years of service to them, and our state. Please join me and our Republican conference in our prayers and support for the Seward family during this difficult time."