| Janele Hyer-Spencer | |
|---|---|
| Janele Hyer-Spencer, March 2010 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 60th district |
|
| In office January 2007 – December 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Matthew Mirones |
| Succeeded by | Nicole Malliotakis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 24, 1964 [1][2] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Douglas Spencer |
| Residence | Staten Island, New York |
| Alma mater | City University of New York |
| Profession | lawyer, politician |
| Website | www.janele.com |
D. Janele Hyer-Spencer (born October 24, 1964)[1][2] is a Democrat who represented New York's 60th Assembly District, which covers parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn.
Contents |
Hyer-Spencer attended high school in Lake Zurich, Illinois, where she ran track, cross country, and played golf. She also played basketball in college.[2]
She holds both a Law Degree (J.D.) and a Masters of Arts in Social Science/Public Policy from the City University of New York (CUNY). She also has studied toward a Masters of Social Work in Social Welfare Policy and Administration.
An attorney, Janele Hyer-Spencer has a private law practice specializing in family law and serving domestic violence victims. She served as legal director of My Sisters' Place, a New York City-based non-profit which helps victims of domestic violence. She previously worked as an attorney with New York City's Administration for Children's Services.
In December 2005, the State of New York Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy appointed Hyer-Spencer to its Surrogate Decision-Making Committee for a two-year term. The committee makes treatment decisions for the mentally disabled that live in facilities or use programs licensed, operated or funded by New York State. She was part of Project Hospitality’s Summit Against Bias, joining other civic leaders to help eliminate bias and prejudice on Staten Island. Her memberships include the Staten Island Welfare Action Network, the Staten Island Women’s Political Caucus, the National Eleanor’s Legacy Committee and formerly was a board member of Community Health Action of Staten Island.
She was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2006, narrowly defeating her Republican opponent to win a seat vacated by Republican Matthew Mirones.
Hyer-Spencer faced Republican Nicole Malliotakis and Right to Life Party candidate Marietta A. Canning in the general election on November 2. Malliotakis defeated Hyer-Spencer with 55% of the vote.[3][4]
Hyer-Spencer lives in Staten Island with her husband, Douglas Spencer.
As of 2009, she had run in three New York City Marathons, with a best time of 4 hours and 20 minutes. In a Staten Island Advance interview, she stated she runs 5 days a week, and over 25 hours a week.[2]
While in the State Assembly, she was noted for commuting to Albany via motorcycle, riding a Yamaha V-Star with the custom license plate JANELE.[5]
| New York Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Matthew Mirones |
New York State Assembly, 60th District 2007–2010 |
Succeeded by Nicole Malliotakis |