José M. Serrano

José M. Serrano
Member of the New York Senate
from the 28th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2005
Preceded by Olga A. Mendez
Personal details
Born June 19, 1972 (1972-06-19) (age 39)
South Bronx, New York
Political party Democratic
Residence South Bronx, New York
Alma mater Manhattan College

José Marco Serrano, son of the long-time US Representative by the same name, is a member of the New York State Senate, representing Mott Haven, Melrose, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Spanish Harlem, Yorkville and Roosevelt Island. 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 beat out Republican Olga Mendez, a 26-year incumbent in the district.

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

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 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

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Pedro G. Espada
New York City Council, 17th District
2002–2004
Succeeded by
Maria del Carmen Arroyo
Preceded by
Mary Lou Rath as Chairwoman of the Senate Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee
Chairman of the Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee
2009–2010
Succeeded by
Betty Little
New York State Senate
Preceded by
Olga A. Mendez
New York State Senate, 28th District
2005–present
Incumbent