Brian Kavanagh | |
|---|---|
_NYS_Senator_Brian_Kavanagh_(52187217714)_(cropped).jpg) Kavanagh in 2022 | |
| Member of theNew York State Senate | |
| Assumed office December 7, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Squadron |
| Constituency | 26th district (2017–2022) 27th district (2023–present) |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the74th district | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – December 6, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Sylvia M. Friedman |
| Succeeded by | Harvey Epstein |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brian Patrick Kavanagh (1967-01-18)January 18, 1967 (age 58) Staten Island,New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) New York University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | State Senate website |
Brian Patrick Kavanagh (born January 18, 1967)[1] is an American politician who represents the27th district in theNew York State Senate, representingLower Manhattan since December 2017.[2] Before the redrawing of legislative districts in January 2023, Kavanagh represented the west part of Brooklyn. He previously served in theNew York State Assembly representing theEast Side of Manhattan. Kavanagh is aDemocrat.
Kavanagh is a lifelong resident ofNew York City. He was born and raised onStaten Island and graduated fromRegis High School in Manhattan.[3] Kavanagh is one of six children of an Irish-immigrant police officer and a community leader in Staten Island who worked at alocal newspaper.[4] Kavanagh tutored students at the Nativity Mission Center.[5] He graduated with a B.A. in politics fromPrinceton University in 1989.[6] He then received aJuris Doctor fromNew York University School of Law.[7]
Kavanagh was an aide to former New York City MayorsEd Koch andDavid Dinkins. He served as chief of staff toNew York City Council memberGale Brewer.[7][8]
At the Mayor's Office, Kavanagh played a key role in launching theNew York City Department of Homeless Services and then served as the agency's first Policy Director.[4][better source needed]
With then-CouncilmemberBill Perkins, Councilmember Brewer, and dozens of others, Kavanagh helped to draft and secure passage of Council Resolution 549, opposing the imminent invasion of Iraq.[4][better source needed]
Kavanagh has served as a counselor, volunteer, and board member at the Lower East Side's Nativity Middle School and community center,[9] and as a board member of theJesuit Volunteer Corps. He is a member of theNew York City Bar Association and has served on the Association's Election Law Committee.[4][better source needed]
Kavanagh has taught atColumbia University.[10]
Following an unsuccessful bid for theNew York City Council in 2005,[11] Kavanagh was first elected to theNew York State Assembly in November 2006. He is a member of theDemocratic Party and has been endorsed by theWorking Families Party.[7]
In 2017, Kavanagh announced that he would run in the special election to succeed SenatorDaniel Squadron, who was resigning to found a non-profit.[12] Not without criticism, Kavanagh was nominated as the Democratic candidate, despite representing very little of the same territory in the state Assembly that the Senate district encompassed.[13] Despite this, Kavanagh easily won election.[14] He was easily re-elected to a full first term in 2018.[15]
Kavanagh has been a proponent of election reform. Stating New Yorkers "have some of the worst election laws in the country," Kavanagh introduced a bill "that would allow voters to cast ballots before Election Day". Until New York enacted early voting in 2019, it was the largest state with no advance voting regime.[16]
With Democrats taking the majority in the Senate in 2019, Kavanagh was named Chair of the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development.[17]
Kavanagh was a co-sponsor of theClimate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA),[18][better source needed] enacted in 2019, and has served on the Environmental Conservation Committee in each of his years in the legislature.[19][better source needed] One of Kavanagh's priorities has been the introduction of extended producer responsibility legislation, which would require producers to be responsible for products from the beginning to end of life. He has introduced legislation in this area for rechargeable batteries, lamps, mattresses, and textiles, among others.[20]
Kavanagh authored the "All-Electric Building Act,"[21][better source needed] which became law in 2023, requiring the state energy construction code to halt the use of fossil fuels in new construction in the state.
Kavanagh has pursued legislation that would curb gun violence in New York. As the founder and chair of the American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention,[22] Kavanagh prioritized working across the aisle to curb access to illegal guns. He is the sponsor of New York's red flag law, which would prevent those who may be a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a firearm.[23]
Since moving to Manhattan, Kavanagh lived in different neighborhoods, including the Lower East Side, Murray Hill,NoMad, and Turtle Bay.[24]
| Brian P. Kavanagh | ... | 5,213 |
| Sylvia M. Friedman | ... | 4,857 |
| Esther Yang | ... | 1,022 |
| Juan Pagan | ... | 807 |
| Brian P. Kavanagh (DEM) | ... | 21,875 |
| Sylvia M. Friedman (WOR) | ... | 3,855 |
| Frank J. Scala (REP) | ... | 3,576 |
| Brian P. Kavanagh | ... | 3,286 |
| Juan Pagan | ... | 1,223 |
| Brian P. Kavanagh (DEM -WOR) | ... | 81.68% (35,648 votes) |
| Frank Scala (REP) | ... | 15.04% (6,562 votes) |
| Scott Andrew Hutchins (GRE) | ... | 3.28% (1,432 votes) |
| Brian P. Kavanagh(DEM) | ... | (58.1%) |
| Vittoria Faiello | ... | (29.0%) |
| Danyela Souza Egorov | ... | (12.3%) |
