Andrew Gounardes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theNew York State Senate | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Marty Golden |
| Constituency | 22nd district (2019–2022) 26th district (2023–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1985-07-08)July 8, 1985 (age 40) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Hunter College (BA) George Washington University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | State Senate website Campaign website |
Andrew Gounardes (born July 8, 1985) is an American lawyer and politician. He is aDemocrat and a member of theNew York State Senate, representing the26th district, which encompasses the neighborhoods ofBay Ridge,Dyker Heights,Sunset Park,Greenwood Heights,Red Hook,Park Slope,Gowanus,Carroll Gardens,Boerum Hill,Cobble Hill,Downtown Brooklyn,Fort Greene,Brooklyn Heights,Vinegar Hill, andDUMBO inBrooklyn.
Gounardes was born inBrooklyn to Steven, a dentist, and Dianne Gounardes, and raised in theBay Ridge neighborhood.[1][2][3] A fourth-generationGreek-American,[4] he graduated fromFort Hamilton High School, before going on to earn degrees fromHunter College and theGeorge Washington University Law School.[5]
Following law school, Gounardes worked for CouncilmanVincent J. Gentile as a constituent aide,[6] and later as Counsel toBrooklyn Borough PresidentEric Adams.[7]
Gounardes formerly served as a trustee of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System,[8] and as a member of Brooklyn Community Board 10.[9] FollowingHurricane Sandy in 2012, Gounardes, along withJustin Brannan, founded thenonprofit Bay Ridge Cares, which assisted local residents with disaster relief.[10]
Gounardes first ran against Republican SenatorMarty Golden in 2012, but lost.[11] In a traditionally politically conservative area, Golden proved to be a popularincumbent due to his name recognition and strong constituent services.[12] Golden even ran unopposed in 2016.[13]
However, in 2018, Golden faced scrutiny after it was publicized that he had failed to pay a number ofparking tickets, and was illegally posing as apolice officer to run red lights.[14] He also utilized illegal parking placards.[15] As a result, and along with the national political climate, Golden was seen as vulnerable by New York political operatives.[16] Gounardes declared his candidacy in early 2018.[17] After defeating journalist Ross Barkan in the Democratic primary,[18] he went on to defeat Golden in thegeneral election, 51% to 49%.[19]
In the Senate, Gounardes serves as Chairman of the Committee on Civil Service andPensions.[20]
