James Oddo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Oddo
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| Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings | |
| Assumed office April 27, 2023 |
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| Mayor | Eric Adams |
| Preceded by | Eric Ulrich |
| 15th Borough President of Staten Island | |
| In office January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | James Molinaro |
| Succeeded by | Vito Fossella |
| Minority Leader of the New York City Council | |
| In office January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Ognibene |
| Succeeded by | Vincent Ignizio |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 50th district |
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| In office February 1, 1999 – December 31, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | John Fusco |
| Succeeded by | Steven Matteo |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Steven Oddo
January 12, 1966 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kim Petersen (2014–present) |
| Education | Fordham University (BA) New York Law School (JD) |
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James Steven Oddo (born January 12, 1966) is an American attorney and politician who served as the Borough President of Staten Island from 2014 to 2021. Oddo had previously served as a member of the New York City Council, representing the 50th district from 1999 to 2013. He is currently serving as the Commissioner for the New York City Department of Buildings under Mayor Eric Adams.
Early life and education
Oddo was born on Staten Island as the youngest of four sons in a family of city employees. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, and a Juris Doctor from New York Law School.
Career
He started in politics by working as Chief of Staff to then-councilman John Fusco for seven years and as Legal Counsel to the former Council Minority Leader Thomas Ognibene.
Oddo's career as a politician began in February 1999 when he won a special election to fill the seat vacated by John Fusco. After the resignation of Tom Ognibene, he was elected Minority Leader of the City Council with the consent of the three other Republicans on the Council in 2002.
His district, the 50th, is located mainly on Staten Island and encompasses the neighborhoods of Arrochar, Bulls Head, Castleton Corners, Concord, Dongan Hills, Emerson Hill, Fort Wadsworth, Grant City, Graniteville, Grasmere, Heartland Village, Isle of Meadows, Meiers Corners, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Springville, Oakwood, Ocean Breeze, Old Town, Prall's Island, Richmondtown, South Beach, Todt Hill, Travis, Westerleigh, and Willowbrook; but also parts of Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights and Bath Beach in Brooklyn.
On October 20, 2010, he announced he would run for the office of Staten Island Borough President in 2013. On November 5, 2013, he was elected to office with 48,168 votes (69%). He outran Democratic candidate Lou Liedy, Green Party candidate Henry Bardel, and Libertarian Party candidate Silas Johnson. His percentage of 69% was the highest ever for a non-incumbent winner of the office, beating the record set by Republican Robert Connor in 1965. James Oddo was re elected Borough President on November 7, 2017, with 75.56% of the vote.
In 2022, Oddo was named Chief of Staff to the New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations in the administration of Mayor Eric Adams.
Staten Island Bus Study
Borough President Oddo championed the Staten Island Bus Study which has recommended major service changes to Staten Island express buses. As a result of the study, express bus service to Staten Island was to be completely reorganized in August 2018. As part of the redesign, all of the existing bus routes would be discontinued and replaced with 21 new routes with a "SIM" prefix.
