Jeffrey David Klein (born July 10, 1960) is a New York State Senator representing parts of Bronx and Westchester Counties. He was elected to his first term in the Senate in 2004.
A lifelong resident of the northeast Bronx, he was educated in Bronx public schools. Klein received his undergraduate degree from Queens College, his Master's degree in Public Administration from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, and a J.D. from CUNY's Law School, where he was a member of the law review.
A former chief of staff to Congressman James Scheuer, Klein served as a Democratic State Committeeman and District Leader before being elected to the New York State Assembly in 1994. During his ten years representing the 80th Assembly District in the state legislature, Jeff Klein served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime and the Elderly, the Committee on State-Federal Relations, and the Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigations.
After former State Senator Guy Velella was convicted on corruption charges, Senator Klein declined to seek reelection to the Assembly in order to run for Velella's seat in the New York Senate.
In the Democratic Senate Primary, Senator Klein defeated then Assemblyman Stephen B. Kaufman. Klein received a tepid endorsement from The New York Times. Prior to running for the Senate, Senator Klein was reported to be considering a race for New York Attorney General in 2006, but did not do so because Andrew Cuomo and Jeanine Pirro were competing for that position. After two years in the Senate he abandoned plans to run for the Majority Leader position, instead opting for the Deputy Minority Leader spot.
Klein has introduced legislation to protect homeowners against blockbusting real estate solicitations and created New York's Do Not Call telemarketing registry, which has enrolled almost two million residential telephone customers since its April 2001 inception.
Klein is also a partner in the law firm of Klein Calderoni & Santucci, LLP.
After considering a race for NYS Attorney General, Klein opted to run for re-election. In 2010, he was easily re-elected, defeating Republican Frank Vernuccio, a community activist in the Bronx.
| New York Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Friedman |
New York State Assembly, 80th District 1995–2004 |
Succeeded by Naomi Rivera |
| New York State Senate | ||
| Preceded by Guy Velella |
New York State Senate, 34th District 2005–present |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Thomas W. Libous |
Deputy Majority Leader of the New York State Senate 2009–2010 |
Succeeded by Thomas W. Libous |
| Preceded by Committee dormant |
Chairman of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Committee 2011–present |
Incumbent |