Leroy Comrie

Leroy Comrie
Member of the New York State Senate from the 14th District
Assumed office
January 1, 2015
Preceded by Malcolm Smith
Member of the New York City Council from the 27th District
In office
January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013
Preceded by Archie Spigner
Succeeded by Daneek Miller
Constituency Southeast Queens
Personal details
Born August 10, 1958
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Marcia Moxam Comrie
Children 2
Residence Saint Albans, Queens
Alma mater University of Bridgeport
Religion Episcopalian
Website NY State Senate: District 14

Leroy Comrie is an American politician from New York City. He represents District 14 in the New York State Senate, which comprises St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Jamaica, Hollis, Rosedale, Laurelton, Kew Gardens, Queens Village and other neighborhoods within the borough of Queens.

Career

Comrie served as Chief of Staff to New York City Council Member Archie Spigner for seven years.[1] Comrie was elected to represent the 27th District in the 2001 elections, succeeding Spigner. During his time at the New York City Council, Comrie served as Majority Whip for his Democratic colleagues on the Council, as well as head of the Queens delegation and chair of the council's Consumer Affairs Committee.[2]

In 2007, Comrie was tangentially associated with a controversy regarding the dismissal of Council Member Charles Barron's chief of staff, Viola Plummer. Following a heated committee meeting on a bill co-naming a street in Brooklyn after Robert "Sonny" Carson, Plummer exited city hall and spoke to a small group in the plaza that included reporters. Plummer, a resident of Comrie's district, threatened to end Comrie's career and politically "assassinate" Comrie. These statements, taken in the light of the 2003 assassination of Council Member James Davis within the council chambers in city hall, led City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to arrange for an NYPD escort for Comrie and to dismiss Plummer. Plummer filed suit in federal court for violation of her First Amendment right to free speech but the claims were dismissed. During this trial Comrie testified that he felt "physically threatened" but took no personal actions to protect himself.[3][4]

Comrie has also served as a member and president of Community School Board 29.[5]

In 2014, Comrie challenged Malcolm Smith for the New York Senate. He defeated Smith in the Democratic Party primary election.[6]

Personal life

Comrie grew up in the community that he now represents. He attended P.S. 116, I.S. 8, Jamaica High School and the University of Bridgeport, where he developed his passion for politics and government. He is a lifelong member of Saint Albans the Martyr Episcopal Church, where he served as a layperson, vestryman and chalice administrator.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "New York Pols Shower Comrie With Praise". Southeast Queens Press. 2015-01-16. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  2. ↑ "10 questions for Councilman Leroy Comrie". New York Daily News. 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  3. ↑ Plummer v. Quinn, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4611 (United States District Court for the Southern District of New York 2008).
  4. ↑ Plummer v. Quinn, 326 Fed. Appx. 571 (United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 2009).
  5. ↑ "Familiar Faces Square Off In 27th City Council District Race". Queens Chronicle. 2001-03-15. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  6. ↑ http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2014/37/smith_web_2014_09_09_q.html
  7. ↑ "Familiar Faces Square Off In 27th City Council District Race". Queens Chronicle. 2001-03-15. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
Political offices
Preceded by
Archie Spigner		 New York City Council, 27th District
2002–2013 		Succeeded by
Daneek Miller
Political offices
Preceded by
Malcolm Smith		 New York Senate, 14th District
2015–present 		Incumbent
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