Brian X. Foley

Brian X. Foley
Member of the New York Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
January 1, 2009 – January 4, 2011
Preceded by Caesar Trunzo
Succeeded by Lee Zeldin
Personal details
Born December 3, 1957 (1957-12-03) (age 54)
Political party Democratic
Residence Blue Point, New York

Brian X. Foley (born December 5, 1957) was a State Senator representing the 3rd District of the New York State Senate. He was elected to his first political office in 1993, representing the Seventh District in the Suffolk County Legislature. He was re-elected five times to the seat once held by his father, John Foley. In 2005, he was elected Supervisor for the Town of Brookhaven, New York. In 2008 he was elected to the State Senate,[1] after defeating 36-year (18 term) incumbent Republican, Caesar Trunzo.[2][3] He was the first Democrat elected to the State Senate from Suffolk County since 1902.

Foley resides in his native Blue Point, New York with his wife and their two children. A graduate of St. Anthony's High School, Foley continued his education at St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies.[1]

He has served on the Brookhaven Roe YMCA Board of Directors, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk County Community Mediation Center, Sunrise District Boy Scouts of America and the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 2004, the Bayport Blue Point Chamber of Commerce presented Foley with its Dedicated Public Service Award. He has been recognized as Person of the Year by the Medford Youth Athletic Association Award in 2000 and the Farmingville Historical Society in 1999.

Contents

Marriage Equality Debate 2009

Brian X. Foley was seen as a key swing senate vote in the 2009 Marriage Equality debate in New York State. In April 2009, Gov. David Paterson announced that he would introduce a Marriage Equality bill in the New York State Legislature.[4] Foley voted in favor of Marriage Equality legislation on December 2, 2009, but the bill was defeated.[5]

MTA Bailout proposal

Foley supported an MTA bailout that included a controversial payroll tax on employers. Foley, had balked at the payroll tax because it affected school districts and would likely raise property taxes.

Foley eventually agreed to support the MTA bailout; [6]

2010 defeat

Foley was defeated by Republican Lee Zeldin on November 2, 2010.[7]

Senator-Elect Zeldin received 57% of votes cast, defeating Brian Foley by 14 points.[8]

See also

References

New York State Senate
Preceded by
Caesar Trunzo
New York State Senate, 3rd District
2009–2010
Succeeded by
Lee Zeldin
Political offices
Preceded by
Suffolk County Legislature, 7th District
1993–2005
Succeeded by
Jack Eddington
Preceded by
John Jay LaValle
Town of Brookhaven, Supervisor
2005–2009
Succeeded by
Mark Lesko
Preceded by
Hugh Farley
Chair Person of the Senate Committee on Banks
2009–2010
Succeeded by
Joseph Griffo