José M. Serrano

José M. Serrano
Member of the New York Senate from the 29th district
Incumbent
Assumed office 2013
Preceded by	Thomas Duane
Member of the New York Senate from the 28th district
In office 2005–2013
Succeeded by	Liz Krueger
Preceded by	Olga A. Mendez
Personal details
Born	June 19, 1972 South Bronx, New York
Political party	Democratic
Residence	South Bronx, New York
Alma mater	Manhattan College

José Marco Serrano is a member of the New York State Senate, representing Mott Haven, Melrose, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Spanish Harlem, Yorkville, Roosevelt Island and part of the Upper West Side. He is the son of U.S. Congressman José Serrano.

A lifelong South Bronx resident, Serrano was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2004. He defeated Republican Olga Mendez, a 26-year incumbent in the district.

Education and early career

Serrano graduated from Manhattan College with a B.A. in Government, and went on to work for the New York Shakespeare Festival.

State senate

In 2001, Senator Serrano was elected to the New York City Council (District 17), representing Melrose, Mott Haven, Longwood, and Hunt’s Point. He focused on issues relating to affordable housing, daycare for children of low-income families, and the environment. He also chaired the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations.

Serrano ran for the Senate in 2004. According to the New York Times, which endorsed him, Serrano promised "to pursue unfinished and ignored business in the capital, including legislating an end to the Rockefeller drug laws." He would garner more than 80% of the vote in his victory over Olga Mendez.

In September 2007, he was named one of City Hall's "40 under 40" for being a young influential member of New York City politics.^[1]

In Albany, Serrano has thus far stuck to the core issues on his progressive agenda: environmental protection; affordable housing and healthcare; and promoting the arts as an economic engine. He was appointed Chair of the Senate Minority Task Force on the Arts and Cultural Affairs by Senate Minority Leader David Paterson. While in the minority, he served as Ranking Minority Member of the Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee. In January 2009 he was appointed Chairman of the Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee, a renamed version of the Tourism Committee.

See also

• 2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis

References

1. Rising Stars 40 Under 40: Jose Serrano, City & State, September 17, 2007.

External links

• New York State Senate: Jose M. Serrano
• Serrano For State Senate website
• Senator Serrano's Blog
• Serrano's response to the 2006 State Senate and Assembly screening questionnaire from the 504 Democratic Club of New York City
• 2006 EPL/Environmental Advocates Voters' Guide