| 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 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.
| 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 |