José M. Serrano

Infobox State Senator
honorific-prefix =
name =José M. Serrano


state_senate =New York
district =28th
term_start =2005
term_end =
preceded =
succeeded =Incumbent
predecessor3 =Olga A. Mendez
successor3 =Incumbent
birth_date =birth date and age |1972|6|19
birth_place =South Bronx, New York
party =Democrat
residence =South Bronx, New York
alma_mater =Manhattan College

José M. Serrano, son of the long-time US Representative by the same name, is a member of the New York State Senate, representing the South Bronx, East Harlem, Yorkville and Roosevelt Island. He is the son of U.S. Congressman José Serrano.

A lifelong South Bronx resident, Serrano was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2004. He beat out Republican Olga Mendez, a 26-year incumbent in the district.

Serrano graduated from Manhattan College with a B.A. in Government, and went on to work for the New York Shakespeare Festival.

In 2001, Senator Serrano was elected to the New York City Council (District 17), representing Melrose, Mott Haven, and Hunt’s Point. He focused on issues relating to affordable housing, daycare for children of low-income families, and the environment. He also chaired the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations.

Serrano ran for the Senate in 2004. According to the New York Times, which endorsed him, Serrano promised "to pursue unfinished and ignored business in the capital, including legislating an end to the Rockefeller drug laws." He would garner more than 80% of the vote in his victory over Olga Mendez.

In Albany, Serrano has thusfar stuck to the core issues on his progressive agenda: environmental protection; affordable housing and healthcare; and promoting the arts as an economic engine. He was appointed Chair of The Senate Minority Task Force on the Arts and Cultural Affairs by Senate Minority Leader David Paterson.

As of October 2006, Serrano runs unopposed for a second two-year term in the State Senate.

External links

* [http://www.nyssenate28.com/default.asp Official New York State Senate website]
* [http://www.serranoforsenate.com Serrano For State Senate website]
* [http://www.r8ny.com/blog/sen_jose_m_serrano Senator Serrano's Blog]
* [http://www.the504democraticclub.org/questionnaire_2006_statesenate_assembly_jmserrano.html Serrano's response to the 2006 State Senate and Assembly screening questionnaire from the 504 Democratic Club of New York City]
* [http://www.eany.org/capitolwatch/votersguide/2006VotersGuide.pdf 2006 EPL/Environmental Advocates Voters' Guide]