Herman D. Farrell Jr. facts for kids

Herman Daniel “Denny” Farrell Jr. (February 4, 1932 – May 26, 2018) was an important American politician from New York. He was a member of the New York State Assembly for many years. He represented parts of Manhattan, like West Harlem, Inwood, and Washington Heights. He served from 1975 until 2017. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Life of Herman Farrell Jr.

Herman Farrell Jr. was born on February 4, 1932, in New York City. His parents, Herman Sr. and Amy Gladys, owned a dress shop. He went to George Washington High School in Washington Heights. Before becoming a politician, he worked as an auto mechanic.

He also worked for Mayor John Lindsay. Later, in 1966, he became an assistant to a state Supreme Court justice.

Herman Farrell Jr.'s Political Career

Farrell started his political journey in 1970. He was elected as a Democratic state committeeman. In 1974, he was first elected to the New York State Assembly. He became a long-time Chairman of the powerful Assembly Ways and Means Committee. This committee handles how the state spends its money.

He was also a member of the Assembly Rules Committee. He belonged to the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. Before leading the Ways and Means Committee, he was Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Banks from 1979 to 1994.

Important Laws and Consumer Protection

Farrell helped pass several important laws. One was the Omnibus Consumer Protection and Banking Legislation Act. This law created a free phone number at the New York State Banking Department. People could call to get information about credit card interest rates and fees. It also made banks offer low-cost checking accounts to their customers.

He also played a key role in passing the Neighborhood Preservation Companies Act. This law helps New York State fund community groups. These groups work to support tenants and improve neighborhoods.

Leadership in the Democratic Party

Farrell was very well-known as a leader in the state Democratic Party. He was first elected as a Democratic State Committeeman in 1970. He served in that role for two years. Later, he became the leader of the New York County Democratic Party. He held this position from 1981 to 2009.

He also served as Vice-Chair of the New York State Democratic Party for ten years. From 2001 to 2006, he was the Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee. He was also a member of the Democratic National Committee. Farrell resigned from the State Assembly in September 2017.

Running for Mayor of New York City

In 1985, Farrell decided to run for mayor of New York City. He entered the Democratic primary election against Ed Koch. His decision to join the race was a surprise to many.

Even though he didn't win, his campaign was important. David Dinkins later said that Farrell's run helped pave the way for Dinkins to win the mayoral election in 1989. Farrell finished third in the 1985 primary, getting 13% of the votes.

After this election, black leaders from across New York City met. They worked to unite for future elections. This unity helped David Dinkins win with strong support from black voters in 1989.

Later Life and Legacy

In late 2017, a pedestrian bridge was built in Riverside Park. This bridge was named after Herman Farrell. It was located in the Assembly district he used to represent.

Herman Farrell Jr. passed away on May 26, 2018. He was 86 years old. His death was due to heart failure.