This year, the New York State Legislature welcomes its newest class of 25 lawmakers, bringing fresh perspectives and diverse experiences to Albany. Representing communities from every corner of the state, these legislators have a history as champions for their districts’ priorities. With the legislative session just beginning, the team at Willett Public Affairs wanted to help you get acquainted with the newest members:
Senator Steve Chan (R- Brooklyn)
District 17
Chan previously served as a US Marine for 6 years, then served on the NYPD for 27 years while also owning a florist shop.
Senator Chris Ryan (D- Syracuse)
District 50
Ryan served on the Onondaga Legislature for 13 years, part of which was a Minority Leader.
Senator April Baskin (D- Erie)
District 63
Baskin was elected as a representative of District 2 in the Erie County Legislature. She served as the Majority Leader, and Chairwoman of the Public Safety and Minority and Women Enterprise committees. She was also appointed to serve on the Erie County Industrial Development Agency Policy Committee, Erie County Central Police Services Board of Trustees, Erie County MWBE Utilization Advisory Board and The UB Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Board.
Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni (D- Suffolk)
District 1
Schiavoni taught for over 32 years as a teacher, as well as having worked on many campaigns and holding several local appointed and elected offices.
Assemblymember Kwani O'Pharrow (D- Nassau, Suffolk)
District 11
O'Pharrow served in the Navy for 4 years and then worked as a detective in the NYPD for 25 years. He also co-founded Cops N’ Kids Long Island in 2019, and was a New York State Department of Criminal Justice law enforcement instructor.
Assemblymember Daniel Norber (R- Nassau)
District 16
Norber worked in consumer sales and managed a restaurant group. He also established his own moving business and invested in industrial real estate throughout NYC.
Assemblymember Noah Burroughs (D- Nassau)
District 18
Burroughs was an educator and served as a Village Trustee in the Town of Hempstead.
Assemblymember Judy Griffin (D - Nassau)
District 21
Griffin worked as the director of community outreach and the senior adviser for Senator Todd Kaminsky for two terms.
Assemblymember Larinda Hooks (D- Queens)
District 35
Hooks worked as president of the Ericsson Street Block Association and then joined the East Elmhurst-Corona Civic Association as president of the executive board.
Assemblymember Claire Valdez (D- Queens)
District 37
Valdez previously worked for her union, UAW Local 2110, serving on her unit's bargaining committee and was elected Unit Chairperson.
Assemblymember Micah Lasher (D- Manhattan)
District 69
Lasher first volunteered at his local Democratic club on the Upper West Side, and worked as an aide to Representative Jerry Nadler as Director of State Legislative Affairs.
He also worked as Director of State Legislative Affairs for the City of New York under Mayor Bloomberg, as the Chief of Staff to the New York State Attorney General, and as Director of Policy for Governor Hochul.
Assemblymember Jordan Wright (D- Manhattan)
District 70
Wright worked on Yusef Salaam's campaign as a manager, and then worked as his Chief of Staff.
Assemblymember Emerita Torres (D- Bronx)
District 85
Torres worked as a US diplomat, and then worked with neighbors on various community improvement projects in the Bronx.
Assemblymember Patrick Carroll (D- Rockland)
District 96
Carroll has worked on various political campaigns since he was young, and then served two terms on the Glocester, RI, Town Council. He then served n the Clarkstown Town Board for seven years.
Assemblymember Aron Wieder (D- Rockland)
District 97
Wieder worked as a board member on the East Ramapo School Board, first as Vice President and then as President. He was then elected to the Rockland County Legislature representing Spring Valley.
Assemblymember Paula Kay (D- Orange, Sullivan)
District 100
Kay worked for the New York City Council in the legal division as Counsel to the Housing and Buildings and General Welfare Committees, and also served on the Speaker's Special Commission on Homelessness.
Assemblymember Gabriella Romero (D- Albany)
District 109
Romero worked as a public defender as a felony trial attorney. She also served on the Albany Common Council representing the 6th Ward.
Assemblymember Andrea Bailey (R- Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Steuben, Wyoming)
District 133
Bailey worked in the private sector for over 20 years, working in the operations, HR, and service equipment sectors.
Assemblymember Paul Bologna (R- Erie, Niagara)
District 144
Bologna worked in local government first by interning for Assemblymember Jim Hayes, and then served then as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Mike Norris.
Assemblymember Joe Sempolinski (R- Allegany, Cattaraugus, Steuben
District 148
Sempolinski previously served as the US representative for the 23rd Congressional District from 2022 to 2023 and still serves as the Republican Party Chairman for Steuben County.
We wish the Class of 2025 the best of luck and look forward to getting to know and working with you all as you serve in the New York State Legislature.
Comentários