The Honorable Elizabeth O’C. Little

The Honorable Elizabeth O’C. Little’s record of service and commitment to improving our quality of life is well known to the residents of the 45th Senate District.

She is best known as Senator Betty Little, who served nine terms and retired at the end of the 2020 Legislative Session. Her distinguished public service record dates back much further than her election to the Senate in 2002.

She started her career as an elementary school teacher. Always inspired to help enrich her community and improve the lives of those around her, she became a member, and later Chair, of the Town of Queensbury Recreation Commission. In 1986, she was elected as an At-Large-Supervisor to the Warren County Board of Supervisors for the Town of Queensbury, where she served on various committees.

After more than a decade of service in local government, Senator Little successfully ran for State Assembly and served for seven years before running for State Senate. Her legislative accomplishments were numerous and include creation of the Adirondack Community Housing Trust; passage of the historic Timber Theft Law; sponsorship and voter approval of five State Constitutional Amendments; and sponsoring legislation and securing funding to combat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

Senator Little has a reputation for being a practical, straightforward and hands-on public servant. She has received bipartisan respect and support for her leadership, temperament and work ethic. Senator Little has received numerous State and regional awards, including the 2022 Liberty Bell Award from the Franklin County Bar Association; the New York State School Boards Association’s State Leader of the Year; the Mary G. Roebling Distinguished Service Award from the Association of the United States Army First Region; and the 2006 Advance New York Leadership Award from the New York State Economic Development Council. Additionally, Senator Little’s 18 years as State Senator make her the longest-serving female Republican Senator in New York State history.

Born in Glens Falls, Senator Little currently resides in Queensbury. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and The College of Saint Rose with a degree in Elementary Education. She is the mother of six children – Elizabeth, David, Robert, Thomas, Carolyn and Luke – and the proud grandmother of 18.