Leroy Comrie
| Leroy Comrie | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New York State Senate from the 14th District | |
|
Assumed office January 1, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Smith |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 27th District | |
|
In office January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Archie Spigner |
| Succeeded by | Daneek Miller |
| Constituency | Southeast Queens |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Marcia Moxam Comrie |
| Residence | Saint Albans, Queens |
| Alma mater | University of Bridgeport |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Website | NYC Council: District 27 |
Leroy Comrie is an American politician from New York City. He represents District 14 in the New York State Senate, which comprises St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Jamaica, Hollis, Rosedale, Laurelton, Kew Gardens and other neighborhoods within the borough of Queens.
Career
Comrie served as Chief of Staff to New York City Councilman Archie Spigner for seven years. Comrie was elected to represent the 27th District in the 2001 elections, succeeding Spigner. During his time at the New York City Council Comrie served as Majority Whip for his Democratic colleagues on the Council, as well as head of the Queens delegation and chair of the council's Consumer Affairs Committee.[1]
In 2007, Comrie was tangentially associated with a controversy regarding the dismissal of Council Member Charles Barron's chief of staff, Viola Plummer. Following a heated committee meeting on a bill co-naming a street in Brooklyn after Robert "Sonny" Carson, Plummer exited city hall and spoke to a small group in the plaza that included reporters. Plummer, a resident of Comrie's district, threatened to end Comrie's career and politically "assassinate" Comrie. These statements, taken in the light of the 2003 assassination of Council Member James Davis within the council chambers in city hall, led City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to arrange for an NYPD escort for Comrie and to dismiss Plummer. Plummer filed suit in federal court for violation of her First Amendment right to free speech but the claims were dismissed. During this trial Comrie testified that he felt "physically threatened" but took no personal actions to protect himself.[2][3]
Comrie has also served as a member and president of Community School Board 29.
In 2014, Comrie challenged Malcolm Smith for the New York Senate. He defeated Smith in the Democratic Party primary election.[4]
Personal life
Comrie grew up in the communities that he now represents in Southeast Queens. He attended P.S. 116, I.S. 8, Jamaica High School and the University of Bridgeport, where he developed his passion for politics and government. He is a lifelong member of Saint Albans the Martyr Episcopal Church, where he served as a layperson, vestryman and chalice administrator.[5]
References
- ↑ New York City Council page http://council.nyc.gov/d27/html/members/home.shtml
- ↑ Plummer v. Quinn, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4611 (United States District Court for the Southern District of New York 2008).
- ↑ Plummer v. Quinn, 326 Fed. Appx. 571 (United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 2009).
- ↑ http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2014/37/smith_web_2014_09_09_q.html
- ↑ New York City Council page http://council.nyc.gov/d27/html/members/home.shtml
External links
- Official NYC Council Website about Leroy Comrie
- Leroy Comrie: Biography
- Leroy Comrie: Giant Of The Council
- Searchlight 2002-District 27
- Must Have Been Another Comrie
- New Black Panther member calls for Comrie's assassination
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Archie Spigner |
New York City Council, 27th District 2002–2013 |
Succeeded by Daneek Miller |