Leroy Comrie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leroy Comrie
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_NY_State_Senator_Leroy_Comrie_during_Senate_Session_at_the_NY_State_Capitol,_Albany_NY_(cropped).jpg) |
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| Member of the New York Senate from the 14th district |
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| Assumed office January 1, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Malcolm Smith |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 27th district |
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| In office January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Archie Spigner |
| Succeeded by | Daneek Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Leroy George Comrie Jr.
August 10, 1958 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Marcia Moxam |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Bridgeport |
Leroy George Comrie Jr. (born August 10, 1958) is a politician from New York City. He represents the 14th District in the New York State Senate. This district includes many neighborhoods in Queens, like St. Albans, Jamaica, and Queens Village.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Leroy Comrie Jr. was born in New York City. His parents, Ruby Frith-Comrie and Leroy Comrie Sr., came to the United States from Jamaica. He has one brother.
He went to P.S. 116, I.S. 8, and Jamaica High School. Later, he studied at the University of Bridgeport. This is where he became very interested in politics and how the government works.
Leroy Comrie's Career in Public Service
Before becoming a politician, Leroy Comrie worked as a photographer. He took pictures at local weddings and community events.
He also worked for seven years in the office of New York City Council Member Archie Spigner. He started as an aide and became Chief of Staff. Comrie was also a member and later the president of Community School Board 29.
Serving on the New York City Council
In 2001, Leroy Comrie was elected to the New York City Council. He represented the 27th district. He won by a small number of votes.
After being re-elected in 2005, his fellow Democratic council members chose him for important roles:
- Deputy Majority Leader (also called Majority Whip)
- Head of the Queens delegation
- Chair of the Consumer Affairs Committee
- Later, Chair of the powerful Land Use Committee
As Deputy Majority Leader, Comrie helped direct money to local groups in Southeast Queens. These groups included the Black Spectrum Theatre and local police precinct community councils. He also helped fund big building projects in his district. One example is the $19 million construction of P.S.36Q.
As chair of the Queens Delegation, Comrie worked with Borough President Helen Marshall. They helped get millions of dollars each year for the Queens Library system. In 2007, Comrie helped the City Council pass a resolution. It called for an end to the use of a hurtful word in New York. This was a symbolic but important statement.
In 2009, Leroy Comrie was re-elected to the New York City Council for his third term. He won against his opponent, Clyde Vanel. Comrie supported Mayor Michael Bloomberg's idea to let elected officials serve a third term. This was due to the economic problems at the time.
Focus on Consumer Protection and Community
As chair of the Consumer Protection Committee in 2011, Comrie tried to help with child obesity. He suggested a law that would stop fast food restaurants from giving away toys with unhealthy meals. Even though the bill did not pass, it encouraged places like McDonald's to add healthier food options.
That same year, Comrie held hearings about gang-related merchandise. He looked into a company called New Era Cap Company. He believed they were copying gang styles to make more money.
In 2013, as chair of the Land-Use Committee, Comrie helped lead the fight against a proposed soccer stadium. The stadium was planned for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Many people in the community were against it, and the proposal was stopped.
Running for Queens Borough President
In 2013, Comrie ran to become the Borough President of Queens. He wanted to bring major investments to Queens' infrastructure, like adding a new subway line. However, he did not raise as much money as his opponents. He also did not get the support of the Queens County Democratic Party. He later decided to stop his campaign and supported Melinda Katz. Comrie then served as Deputy Borough President under Katz for her first year in office.
Serving in the New York State Senate
In 2014, Comrie ran for the New York State Senate. He challenged Malcolm Smith. Comrie won the Democratic Party primary election by a large margin. After he was elected, Comrie helped choose his replacement as Deputy Borough President.
When he started his term, Comrie was appointed as a Ranking Member on the Elections Committee and the Consumer Protection Committee.
2016 Democratic National Convention and Political Stances
Comrie was chosen as a delegate for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. After the 2016 election, Comrie joined other Democrats in New York. They asked a group of State Senators to stop supporting the Republican Party. He also spoke out against this group at town halls.
Political Priorities
Housing and Community Protection
During his first time in the New York State Senate, Leroy Comrie helped pass a bill. This bill made it easier for people with disabilities to get rent stabilization.
As a state senator, Comrie has worked on many community issues:
- He helped prevent a state-run juvenile prison from being built in Queens Village.
- He fought against a large religious building project in Cambria Heights/Laurelton.
- He worked to stop the closure of the EmblemHealth facility in Cambria Heights. This facility provides medical education to the community.
Comrie also took strong stands against some proposed laws. He worked with other Queens officials to oppose a congestion pricing plan in New York City. In the State Senate, he also worked to stop a plastic bag fee that the NYC Council had passed.
Election Laws
As a Ranking Member on the Elections Committee, Comrie has pushed for the "Vote Better NY" laws. These laws aim to fix problems with New York's election system. They would:
- Allow early voting.
- Make ballots simpler.
- Make voter registration easier.
These bills faced opposition in the New York State Senate and did not pass at that time. Comrie also introduced a law that would allow people to vote by absentee ballot without needing a special reason. This would require changing the state constitution.
Personal Life
Leroy Comrie has been married to Marcia Moxam since 1990. They have two children. He is a lifelong member of Saint Albans the Martyr Episcopal Church. There, he has served in various roles, including as a layperson and vestryman.
Images for kids
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NYS Senator Leroy Comrie is sworn in for his second term with the assistance of NYS Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Jamaica)
