Martin Golden
Encyclopedia
Martin J. Golden is an American
politician from Brooklyn
, New York
, one of the five boroughs of New York City
. Currently a member of the New York State Senate
, Golden is a former member of the New York City Council
. He is the only Republican from Brooklyn currently in elected office (city, state or federal), and along with Republican Senator Andrew Lanza Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis
Assemblyman Lou Tobbaco and Congressmen Michael Grimm
and Bob Turner
, the first four of which are from traditionally Republican Staten Island
, among only six elected state or federal officials from New York City that are members of the Republican Party.
in 2002 after defeating incumbent Vincent J. Gentile
, Golden is currently serving his fourth term in office. A Republican, Golden represents District 22, which comprises Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Gerritsen Beach, Borough Park, among other Brooklyn
neighborhoods. Prior to the 2002 redistricting
, this district included parts of Staten Island
. He served as the Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Aging,from 2003 until 2009, as well as a member of the Committee on Banks, Codes, Crime Victims, Crime & Corrections, Homeland Security
, and Military Affairs.
Golden, on May 20, 2011, introduced a bill to void recognition of same-sex marriages in New York. New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg
was quoted, "We oppose this legislation, and the chance it becomes law is zero".
from 1998 to 2002, and was once the Vice-Chairman of Community Board Ten. Incidentally, Vincent Gentile, the same man Golden defeated in the senate election, was also elected to replace Golden on the city council, resulting in the two effectively swapping seats.
Golden is a retired member of the New York Police Department, from which he retired in 1983 — after a decade of service — because of a disability incurred while making a narcotics arrest.
In addition to his service in the State Senate, Golden owned the Bay Ridge Manor, a catering hall located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
, which he sold to his brother in 2003.
Golden holds an Associate's Degree
from St. John's University
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician 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...
, one of the five boroughs of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Currently a member of the New York State Senate
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...
, Golden is a former member of the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
. He is the only Republican from Brooklyn currently in elected office (city, state or federal), and along with Republican Senator Andrew Lanza Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis
Nicole Malliotakis
Nicole Malliotakis is a Republican politician from New York City who represents parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island in the New York State Assembly. She is the first Hispanic-American to win elective office to any district that encompasses Staten Island. She is one of the first Greek-American women...
Assemblyman Lou Tobbaco and Congressmen Michael Grimm
Michael Grimm (politician)
Michael Gerard Grimm is the U.S. Representative for , which consists of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former FBI agent, businessman, and U.S. Marine, having served in the Gulf War....
and Bob Turner
Bob Turner (politician)
Robert L. "Bob" Turner is the United States Representative for New York's 9th congressional district which straddles parts of Brooklyn and Queens. He is a member of the Republican Party, holding his first public office. He was elected in September 2011 to complete the term of Democrat Anthony...
, the first four of which are from traditionally Republican Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
, among only six elected state or federal officials from New York City that are members of the Republican Party.
Career
Elected to 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...
in 2002 after defeating incumbent Vincent J. Gentile
Vincent J. Gentile
Vincent J. Gentile is a member of the New York City Council representing District 43, which comprises the Southwest Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, and Dyker Heights....
, Golden is currently serving his fourth term in office. A Republican, Golden represents District 22, which comprises Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Gerritsen Beach, Borough Park, among other 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...
neighborhoods. Prior to the 2002 redistricting
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries, often in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial census. In 36 states, the state legislature has primary responsibility for creating a redistricting plan, in many cases subject to...
, this district included parts of Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
. He served as the Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Aging,from 2003 until 2009, as well as a member of the Committee on Banks, Codes, Crime Victims, Crime & Corrections, Homeland Security
Homeland security
Homeland security is an umbrella term for security efforts to protect states against terrorist activity. Specifically, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do...
, and Military Affairs.
Golden, on May 20, 2011, introduced a bill to void recognition of same-sex marriages in New York. New York City 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...
was quoted, "We oppose this legislation, and the chance it becomes law is zero".
Personal life
Prior to his election to the State Senate, Golden represented District 43 in the New York City CouncilNew York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
from 1998 to 2002, and was once the Vice-Chairman of Community Board Ten. Incidentally, Vincent Gentile, the same man Golden defeated in the senate election, was also elected to replace Golden on the city council, resulting in the two effectively swapping seats.
Golden is a retired member of the New York Police Department, from which he retired in 1983 — after a decade of service — because of a disability incurred while making a narcotics arrest.
In addition to his service in the State Senate, Golden owned the Bay Ridge Manor, a catering hall located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Bay Ridge is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. It is bounded by Sunset Park on the north, Seventh Avenue and Dyker Heights on the east, The Narrows Strait, which partially houses the Belt Parkway, on the west and 86th Street and Fort Hamilton on...
, which he sold to his brother in 2003.
Golden holds an Associate's Degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
from St. John's University
St. John's University (New York City)
St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
.