Domenic Recchia
| Domenic Recchia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 47th District | |
| In office January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Howard Lasher |
| Succeeded by | Mark Treyger |
| Constituency | Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Gravesend |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. July 25, 1959 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Kim Recchia |
| Residence | Brooklyn, New York |
| Alma mater | Kent State University (B.A.) Atlanta Law School (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Attorney, Politician |
| Website | Campaign website Personal blog |
Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. (born July 25, 1959) is an American attorney and politician from New York City. A member of the Democratic Party, Recchia formerly represented the 47th Council District in the New York City Council which included areas of Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Gravesend in south Brooklyn.[1]
He is currently running for the Democratic nomination in New York's 11th congressional district.[2]
Early life, education, and career
Recchia is a lifelong resident of Gravesend. Throughout his childhood, Recchia attended local public schools including P.S. 215, David A. Boody Intermediate School, and John Dewey High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Kent State University and a few years later, his Juris Doctor from Atlanta Law School.[3]
After graduation, Recchia returned to Brooklyn, and in 1989 took the first step into public service by being elected to Community Board 13. Later on, Recchia was elected to Community School Board 21, first serving as a member, then vice-president, and eventually president.[3]
City Council
Elections
Then-Councilman Howard Lasher was term-limited and thus could not seek another term in the City Council. In the primary elections, Recchia faced Lasher's wife, Susan Lasher, in which she received 2,999 votes to Recchia's 4,509. He went on to win the general election with 52% of the vote.[4] Recchia subsequently won re-election in 2003, 2005, and 2009.[5][6][7]
Tenure
Recchia previously served as Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee. Considered a staunch supporter of the arts, Recchia created the Cultural After School Adventure (CASA) program. This program pairs arts groups with schools to facilitate and encourage New York City youth to explore their artistic interests and talents.[3]
In 2009, the City Council passed the rezoning of Coney Island. After years of negotiations, Recchia guided the plan to completion, which amongst other things, including year-round jobs and affordable housing.[3]
In January 2010, Recchia was appointed by Council Speaker Christine Quinn as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. As chair, Recchia saw over New York City's $69 billion budget. While working with Speaker Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg, each year the Council passed an on-time budget under his leadership.[3]
In August 2013, Recchia voted against an override of Mayor Bloomberg's vetoes on two bills that would create an independent inspector general to oversee the New York Police Department and another that would allow people to sue in state court if they believe they've been profiled by police. Both bills were passed by the City Council with an overwhelming majority, enough to override the Mayor's vetoes.[8]
Committee assignments
- Civil Service & Labor[1]
- Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations
- Finance (Chair)
- Governmental Operations
- State & Federal Legislation
2014 congressional election
After much speculation, Recchia announced he will run for New York's 11th congressional district in the 2014 election.[2] His city council district included much of the Brooklyn portion of the congressional district.
If he wins the Democratic primary, Recchia will face two-term Republican incumbent Michael Grimm in the general election. Roll Call named the race one of the top five races in the Northeast, noting that national Democrats were very high on Recchia's candidacy.[9]
Personal life
Recchia currently resides in Gravesend with his wife Kim, a public school teacher. They have three daughters. He is a practicing attorney and founder of the Council For Unity, a group that seeks to foster positive relations between New Yorkers of different races and religious backgrounds.[3][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Council Member Domenic Recchia, Jr.". August 21, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wrobleski, Tom (2013-02-17). "Exclusive: Brooklyn Democratic City Councilman Domenic Recchia says he will run for Congress". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.". August 21, 2013.
- ↑ "SEARCHLIGHT ON CAMPAIGN 2001: DISTRICT 47". 2013-08-21.
- ↑ "2003 GENERAL ELECTION NEW YORK COUNTY". 2013-08-24.
- ↑ "General Election 2005 Kings County". 2013-08-24.
- ↑ "General Election 2009 Kings County". 2013-08-24.
- ↑ "City Council Overrides Mayor's Vetoes on NYPD Bills". 2013-08-24.
- ↑ Gonzales, Nathan. Top 5 races to watch in the Mid-Atlantic. Roll Call, 2013-07-06.
- ↑ "Brooklyn Council Member Domenic Recchia Endorses Christine Quinn for Mayor". 2013-08-21.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Howard Lasher |
New York City Council, 47th District 2002 – 2013 |
Succeeded by Mark Treyger |