Brian X. Foley
Encyclopedia
Brian X. Foley was a State Senator representing the 3rd District of the New York State Senate
. He was elected to his first political office in 1993, representing the Seventh District in the Suffolk County
Legislature. He was re-elected five times to the seat once held by his father, John Foley. In 2005, he was elected Supervisor for the Town of Brookhaven, New York
. In 2008 he was elected to the State Senate, after defeating 36-year (18 term) incumbent Republican, Caesar Trunzo
. He was the first Democrat elected to the State Senate from Suffolk County since 1902.
Foley resides in his native Blue Point, New York
with his wife and their two children. A graduate of St. Anthony's High School, Foley continued his education at St. Michael's College
in Colchester, Vermont
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in American Studies.
He has served on the Brookhaven Roe YMCA Board of Directors, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk County Community Mediation Center, Sunrise District Boy Scouts of America and the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 2004, the Bayport Blue Point Chamber of Commerce presented Foley with its Dedicated Public Service Award. He has been recognized as Person of the Year by the Medford Youth Athletic Association Award in 2000 and the Farmingville Historical Society in 1999.
David Paterson announced that he would introduce a Marriage Equality bill in the New York State Legislature. Foley voted in favor of Marriage Equality legislation on December 2, 2009, but the bill was defeated.
Foley eventually agreed to support the MTA bailout;
on November 2, 2010.
Senator-Elect Zeldin received 57% of votes cast, defeating Brian Foley by 14 points.
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
. He was elected to his first political office in 1993, representing the Seventh District in the Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
Legislature. He was re-elected five times to the seat once held by his father, John Foley. In 2005, he was elected Supervisor for the Town of Brookhaven, New York
Brookhaven, New York
The Town of Brookhaven is one of the ten towns into which Suffolk County, New York, United States, has been divided. Part of the New York metropolitan area, it is located in central Suffolk County and is the only town in the county that stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore of Long...
. In 2008 he was elected to the State Senate, after defeating 36-year (18 term) incumbent Republican, Caesar Trunzo
Caesar Trunzo
Caesar Trunzo is a United States Republican politician who served in the New York State Senate from 1973 to 2008. He was born May 11, 1926, in Brooklyn. He graduated from Fort Hamilton High School, Brooklyn, and Heffley & Browne Business College. He served in the U.S...
. He was the first Democrat elected to the State Senate from Suffolk County since 1902.
Foley resides in his native Blue Point, New York
Blue Point, New York
Blue Point is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 4,407 at the 2000 census. Blue Point is in the Town of Brookhaven...
with his wife and their two children. A graduate of St. Anthony's High School, Foley continued his education at St. Michael's College
St. Michael's College
St. Michael's College may refer to:* Saint Michael's College, a private liberal arts college located in Colchester, Vermont, USA* St Michael's College, Adelaide, Australia, a private Roman Catholic primary and secondary school founded by the Lasallian Brothers* St...
in Colchester, Vermont
Colchester, Vermont
Colchester is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.-Geography:...
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in American Studies.
He has served on the Brookhaven Roe YMCA Board of Directors, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk County Community Mediation Center, Sunrise District Boy Scouts of America and the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 2004, the Bayport Blue Point Chamber of Commerce presented Foley with its Dedicated Public Service Award. He has been recognized as Person of the Year by the Medford Youth Athletic Association Award in 2000 and the Farmingville Historical Society in 1999.
Marriage Equality Debate 2009
Brian X. Foley was seen as a key swing senate vote in the 2009 Marriage Equality debate in New York State. In April 2009, Gov.David Paterson announced that he would introduce a Marriage Equality bill in the New York State Legislature. Foley voted in favor of Marriage Equality legislation on December 2, 2009, but the bill was defeated.
MTA Bailout proposal
Foley supported an MTA bailout that included a controversial payroll tax on employers. Foley, had balked at the payroll tax because it affected school districts and would likely raise property taxes.Foley eventually agreed to support the MTA bailout;
2010 defeat
Foley was defeated by Republican Lee ZeldinLee Zeldin
Lee M. Zeldin is a Republican member of the New York State Senate, representing the 3rd district.Zeldin was raised in Shirley, New York, and graduated from William Floyd High School in 1998. He received a B.A...
on November 2, 2010.
Senator-Elect Zeldin received 57% of votes cast, defeating Brian Foley by 14 points.