- David Yassky
-
David S. Yassky 
Member of the New York City Council from the 33rd District In office
January 2002 – December 2009Preceded by Ken Fisher Succeeded by Stephen T. Levin Constituency Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint,
parts of Williamsburg, Park Slope, Boerum HillPersonal details Born March 3, 1964 Political party Democratic Spouse(s) Diana Fortuna Children 2 Residence Brooklyn, New York Alma mater Princeton University
Yale Law SchoolProfession Lawyer Religion Jewish David S. Yassky (born March 3, 1964) is a former member of the New York City Council. First elected in 2001, he represented the 33rd Council District, which includes parts of downtown Brooklyn, including Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Boerum Hill and Park Slope.
Yassky is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale Law School.[1] He was a budget analyst for the New York City Office of Management and Budget. He then served as chief counsel to the House Subcommittee on Crime, a subcommittee chaired by Charles Schumer. Yassky was a member of the faculty of the Brooklyn Law School.[2]
In 2006, Yassky ran for U.S. Congress in Brooklyn, losing to Yvette Clarke. On September 29, 2009 he lost the run-off election for the Democratic nomination for New York City Comptroller. In 2010 Yassky was appointed chairman of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.[3]
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Personal
He has been married to Metropolitan Opera CFO Diana Fortuna since 1990,[4] and they live in Brooklyn Heights with their two daughters.
City Council
Yassky was elected to the New York City Council in 2001. He is chair of the Council's Small Business Committee. Yassky was one of 29 councilmembers who voted in 2008 to extend term limits for themselves effectively ignoring two previous public votes imposing a limit of two terms. Hours before the final vote on term limits, Yassky proposed an amendment from the floor that would have altered the legislation to require approval by popular vote before term limits could change. The amendment failed by a vote of 28-22, but Yassky voted for the extension anyway[5][6]
2006 Congressional campaign
In 2006, Yassky ran for the Democratic Party's nomination for the 11th Congressional District seat, an open seat held by the retiring Congressman Major Owens. He was part of a four-way race which also included New York State Senator Carl Andrews, New York City Council member Yvette D. Clarke and Major Owens's son Chris Owens.
During the primary, Major Owens called Yassky a "colonizer", Al Sharpton called Yassky "greedy", and City Council member Albert Vann sent an email to black elected officials stating that "we are in peril of losing a 'Voting Rights' district ... as a result of the well financed candidacy of Council Member David Yassky, a white individual".[7] The area had been represented by black politicians since the election of Shirley Chisholm in 1968.[8]
On August 30, 2006, The New York Times endorsed Yassky, citing his "stellar record on the Council" and criticizing his rivals for not making a substantial case for their election, and the Democratic leadership within Brooklyn for failing to find qualified black candidates for this seat.[9]
In a primary election held on September 12, 2006, Yassky garnered 26% of the popular vote. The final winner was Yvette Clarke, with about 30%.[10]
2009 Comptroller election
In 2009, Yassky ran for the office of New York City Comptroller. He was endorsed by much of the press,[11][12] Ed Koch and his former boss, Sen. Charles Schumer.[13] The New York Times on August 23, 2009, attributed its endorsement to his "skill, intelligence, and independence."[14] In the Democratic primary held on September 15, 2009, Yassky was the runner-up with 107,474 votes, or approximately 30% of the votes cast. He lost in the run-off with 44.4% of the vote to John Liu, who had more support among union members and minority groups.
References
- ^ NYC Council: District 33 - David Yassky
- ^ New York City 2009 General Election Guide, NYC Campaign Finance Board
- ^ http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/about/chair_bio.shtml
- ^ "Diana Fortuna, State Aide in Capital, Is Married to David Yassky, a Lawyer". New York Times. July 1, 1990. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEED61E3BF932A35754C0A966958260.
- ^ Chan, Sewell; Hicks, Jonathan P. (2008-10-23). "Council Votes, 29 to 22, to Extend Term Limits". New York Times, City Room Blogs. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/council-to-debate-term-limits-change/. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
- ^ Hicks, Jonathan P. (2008-10-27). "Yassky Defends His Vote on Term Limits". New York Times, City Room Blogs. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/yassky-defends-his-vote-on-term-limits/.
- ^ "'A White Individual': How the Voting Rights Act promotes racial polarization". Wall Street Journal. 2006-06-20. http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008541.
- ^ Hicks, Jonathan P. (2006-08-25). "Rivals In House Race Debate White Candidate's Motives". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/25/nyregion/25brooklyn.html.
- ^ "Editorial: For Congress in Brooklyn". New York Times. 2006-08-30. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/30/opinion/30wed2.html.
- ^ 2006 Congressional Primary Results. NY1 News.
- ^ Daily News endorsement of Yassky
- ^ NY Post endorsement of Yassky
- ^ Endorsements
- ^ "For New York City Comptroller", New York Times", August 23, 2009, accessed September 25, 2009
External links
Political offices Preceded by
Ken FisherNew York City Council, 33rd District
2002–2009Succeeded by
Stephen T. LevinCategories:- New York City Council members
- People from Brooklyn
- Jewish American politicians
- Dalton School alumni
- Princeton University alumni
- Yale Law School alumni
- 1964 births
- Living people
- New York Democrats
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