Martin Connor
Encyclopedia
Martin Connor is a former member of the New York State Senate
from Brooklyn
, New York
. He was first elected to the State Senate in a special election in 1978. He is a Democrat
. The 25th Senate District that he represented covers lower Manhattan
and an area of Brooklyn down the East River
from part of Greenpoint
to Carroll Gardens
, and eastward to part of Downtown Brooklyn
. He lost the 2008 Democratic primary to challenger Dan Squadron
.
, Connor attended parochial schools as a child, graduating first in his class from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville
. He earned a B.A. in politics from the Catholic University of America and a law degree from the Catholic University of America School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Law Review.
While still a student, Connor worked part-time for the general Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board
. Later, he served as a clerk to the in-house counsel of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. As a lawyer, Connor practiced corporate and anti-trust law for White & Case
, a large Wall Street law firm, as well as the Xerox Corporation. He briefly maintained a private law practice in Brooklyn, but was appointed Assistant Counsel to New York State Comptroller
Arthur Leavitt. He resigned that position upon his election to the Senate.
's longest-serving Democrat. In his time in Albany, he accumulated an extensive legislative track record on a wide range of issues. He sponsored more than 100 laws.
, who went on to become Governor of New York
.
, in a special contest decided by the State Legislature http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/20/nyregion/20comptroller.html. Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli
won the race.
, a former aide to US Senator Chuck Schumer. Connor had been endorsed by Brooklyn Borough President
Marty Markowitz
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/connor-facing-stiff-challenge-gets-endorsements/, and a number of his fellow state senators and members of Congress http://www.observer.com/term/26621. Squadron had been endorsed by Schumer, Mayor Michael Bloomberg
, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer
, the New York Times and the Working Families Party
http://www.danielsquadron.org/.
A debate, sponsored by the Citizens Union
, occurred on Sept. 3. Following the debate, the Citizens Union announced that it had decided to prefer the incumbent, Connor, over his challenger, stating that Connor "would undeniably be in a stronger and more experienced position to effectively advance critical reforms."
Connor lost the 2008 primary to challenger Dan Squadron
, who received approximately 54% of the vote.
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...
from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was first elected to the State Senate in a special election in 1978. He is a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. The 25th Senate District that he represented covers lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan is the southernmost part of the island of Manhattan, the main island and center of business and government of the City of New York...
and an area of Brooklyn down the East River
East River
The East River is a tidal strait in New York City. It connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. It separates Long Island from the island of Manhattan and the Bronx on the North American mainland...
from part of Greenpoint
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Greenpoint is the northernmost neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It is bordered on the southwest by Williamsburg at the Bushwick inlet, on the southeast by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and East Williamsburg, on the north by Newtown Creek and Long Island City, Queens at the...
to Carroll Gardens
Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Carroll Gardens is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The area is named for Charles Carroll, a revolutionary war veteran who was also the only Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence...
, and eastward to part of Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn is the third largest central business district in New York City , and is located in the northwestern section of the borough of Brooklyn...
. He lost the 2008 Democratic primary to challenger Dan Squadron
Dan Squadron
Daniel Squadron is the state senator for the 25th district of the New York State Senate. He is a Democrat. The 25th Senate District covers lower Manhattan and an area of Brooklyn down the East River from part of Greenpoint to Carroll Gardens, and eastward to part of Downtown Brooklyn.Before his...
.
Education and early career
Born in Trenton, New JerseyTrenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, Connor attended parochial schools as a child, graduating first in his class from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Lawrenceville is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lawrence Township in Mercer County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP population was 3,887...
. He earned a B.A. in politics from the Catholic University of America and a law degree from the Catholic University of America School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Law Review.
While still a student, Connor worked part-time for the general Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board
National Labor Relations Board
The National Labor Relations Board is an independent agency of the United States government charged with conducting elections for labor union representation and with investigating and remedying unfair labor practices. Unfair labor practices may involve union-related situations or instances of...
. Later, he served as a clerk to the in-house counsel of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. As a lawyer, Connor practiced corporate and anti-trust law for White & Case
White & Case
White & Case was founded in New York in 1901 and has grown into one of the world's leading global law firms. The firm has since expanded, and has practice groups in emerging markets including Latin America, Central & Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as in Europe...
, a large Wall Street law firm, as well as the Xerox Corporation. He briefly maintained a private law practice in Brooklyn, but was appointed Assistant Counsel to New York State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
Arthur Leavitt. He resigned that position upon his election to the Senate.
Senate career
After 30 years in office, Connor was the New York State SenateNew 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...
's longest-serving Democrat. In his time in Albany, he accumulated an extensive legislative track record on a wide range of issues. He sponsored more than 100 laws.
Government Reform
In his time in office, Connor advocated for progressive causes http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=4211&type=category&category=45&go.x=9&go.y=8 such as reform of the legislative process to open Albany to public scrutiny http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2246/86/. He claimed to have observed a voluntary ban on accepting gifts and meals from lobbyists and to have supported a recent law making such a ban mandatory for all legislators http://www.nyssenate25.com/25/Biography.aspx. He also supported limiting PAC and corporate campaign contributions to reduce the influence of special interest money in campaigns, as well as spending caps on state level campaigns to provide a level political playing field.http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=4211#582Education
Connor supported the creation of a state college tuition savings program and tuition tax credit http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=4211#687. He was also an advocate of changing the state public school aid formula http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=4211#687, as well as better pay for teachers http://www.uft.org/news/teacher/editorial/primary/ and smaller class sizes http://www.newyorkersforsmallerclasses.org/sept52006/. In 2007, he participated in negotiating an agreement to build the City's first ever green school in Battery Park City http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/1113071.html.Environment
In addition to his contribution to the construction of New York's first green school (cited above), Mr. Connor supported increased use of alternative fuel technology, cleanup of contaminated industrial sites, and funding for open space preservation http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=4211#712. According to EPL Environmental Advocates, Mr. Connor had the highest environmental rating in the Senate in 2007 http://www.eplvotersguide.org/2007VotersGuide.pdf.Civil and Human Rights
Connor supports the right of women to choice in reproductive matters http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=4211#409. He s supported non-discrimination on account of sexual orientation as well as equal legal rights for the LGBT community http://www.prideagenda.org/06election/voterguide.htmlhttp://nyblade.com/2008/7-23/news/localnews/1230EndorseNYC.cfm. He is an opponent of the death penaltyhttp://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=4211#623 but supported proposals to toughen gun laws http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=4211#826 and increase penalties for hate crimes http://www.prideagenda.org/06election/voterguide.html.Senate Leadership
Connor served for eight years as minority leader of the Senate until he was defeated for the position in 2002 by Sen. David PatersonDavid Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
, who went on to become Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
.
2006 Campaign
In 2006, Senator Connor was opposed in the Democratic primary by Ken Diamondstone, a developer of affordable housing http://www.cityhallnews.com/072006/oe9_072006.html; it was the most serious race the 25th District had seen in years. A key issue in the campaign was Diamondstone's opposition to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a project that Senator Connor supported http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/11/nyregion/11senate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin. Senator Connor won the race with more than 55% of the vote http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/results/2006/primary/recaps/130CrossoverDemocratic25SenateRecap.pdf.Comptroller Candidacy
In early 2007 he was among at least 18 candidates for New York State ComptrollerNew York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
, in a special contest decided by the State Legislature http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/20/nyregion/20comptroller.html. Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli
Thomas DiNapoli
Thomas P. DiNapoli is the 54th Comptroller of the state of New York. He is a former state assemblyman in New York, who was appointed as New York State Comptroller on February 7, 2007. He was formerly the Chairman of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee. DiNapoli is a Democrat from...
won the race.
2008 Campaign
In 2008, Senator Connor was opposed in the Democratic primary by Dan SquadronDan Squadron
Daniel Squadron is the state senator for the 25th district of the New York State Senate. He is a Democrat. The 25th Senate District covers lower Manhattan and an area of Brooklyn down the East River from part of Greenpoint to Carroll Gardens, and eastward to part of Downtown Brooklyn.Before his...
, a former aide to US Senator Chuck Schumer. Connor had been endorsed by Brooklyn Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
Marty Markowitz
Marty Markowitz
Marty Markowitz is the Borough President of Brooklyn, New York City, the most populous borough in New York City with nearly 2.6 million residents. Markowitz was first elected borough president in 2001 after serving 23 years as a New York State Senator...
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/connor-facing-stiff-challenge-gets-endorsements/, and a number of his fellow state senators and members of Congress http://www.observer.com/term/26621. Squadron had been endorsed by Schumer, Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer
Scott Stringer
Scott M. Stringer is a New York Democratic politician and currently the 26th Borough President of Manhattan.-Life and career:...
, the New York Times and the Working Families Party
Working Families Party
The Working Families Party is a minor political party in the United States founded in New York in 1998. There are "sister" parties to the New York WFP in Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Oregon, but there is as yet no national WFP...
http://www.danielsquadron.org/.
A debate, sponsored by the Citizens Union
Citizens Union
Citizens Union is one of the United States' first good government groups. Founded in 1897 as a political party, the group was reconstituted in 1908 as a non-partisan member organization with the broad mission of serving "as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common...
, occurred on Sept. 3. Following the debate, the Citizens Union announced that it had decided to prefer the incumbent, Connor, over his challenger, stating that Connor "would undeniably be in a stronger and more experienced position to effectively advance critical reforms."
Connor lost the 2008 primary to challenger Dan Squadron
Dan Squadron
Daniel Squadron is the state senator for the 25th district of the New York State Senate. He is a Democrat. The 25th Senate District covers lower Manhattan and an area of Brooklyn down the East River from part of Greenpoint to Carroll Gardens, and eastward to part of Downtown Brooklyn.Before his...
, who received approximately 54% of the vote.