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José M. Serrano
José M. Serrano
Member of the New York State Senate
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 1, 2005
Preceded by	Olga A. Mendez
Constituency	28th district (2005–2012); 29th district (2013–present)
Member of the New York City Council; from the 17th district
	In office; January 1, 2002 – January 1, 2005
Preceded by	Pedro G. Espada
Succeeded by	Maria del Carmen Arroyo
Personal details
Born	José Marco Serrano; June 19, 1972 (age 52); New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Residence	South Bronx, New York
Alma mater	Manhattan College
Website	Official website

José Marco Serrano (born June 19, 1972) is a member of the New York State Senate from the 29th District, representing Mott Haven, Melrose, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Spanish Harlem, Yorkville, Roosevelt Island and part of the Upper West Side. He is the son of former U.S. Congressman José Serrano.

A lifelong South Bronx resident, Serrano was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2004. He defeated Republican Olga Mendez, a 26-year incumbent in the district. Since 2019, he has served as the Chair of the Majority Conference, the third highest-ranking member of the Senate.

He was the subject of Congressional campaign speculation when his father announced his retirement from representing NY-15, but chose not to run.^[1]

Background

Serrano was born and raised in the South Bronx, where his father, José E. Serrano, was a member of the New York State Assembly, and later a member of the United States House of Representatives.^[2] Serrano is a graduate of Manhattan College.

Prior to becoming involved in politics, Serrano worked with the New York Shakespeare Festival.^[3]

In 2001, Serrano was elected to the 17th district of the New York City Council, representing Melrose, Mott Haven, Longwood, and Hunt's Point.^[4] He was re-elected in 2003.^[5]

New York Senate

In 2004, longtime state Senator Olga A. Méndez switched parties to become a Republican.^[6] With the district overwhelmingly Democratic, Serrano was asked to run against her.^[7] According to the New York Times, which endorsed him, Serrano promised "to pursue unfinished and ignored business in the capital, including legislating an end to the Rockefeller drug laws."^[8] He would garner more than 80% of the vote in his victory over Mendez.^[9]

Since his initial election to the Senate, Serrano has never faced serious opposition for general re-election.^[10] In September 2007, he was named one of City Hall's "40 under 40" for being a young influential member of New York City politics.^[11]

In 2019, Serrano was named Chairman of Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, a post he also held from 2009 to 2010.^[12]

In 2020, he won reelection against Republican challenger Jose A. Colon with 82% of the vote.^[13]

References

^ Neuman, William; McKinley, Jesse (March 25, 2019). "Representative Serrano of the Bronx to Retire, Potentially Opening Seat for Younger Progressive". The New York Times. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ Lombardi, Frank (March 17, 2011). "South Bronx and East Harlem's State Sen. Jose M. Serrano: the son also rises - NY Daily News". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ Lynn, Frank (March 21, 1990). "Serrano and Molinari Elected In Special Congressional Races". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ "Our Campaigns - New York City Council 17 Race - Nov 06, 2001". www.ourcampaigns.com. January 2, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ "Our Campaigns - New York City Council 17 Race - Nov 04, 2003". www.ourcampaigns.com. January 3, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ Chan, Sewell (July 29, 2009). "Olga Méndez, First Puerto Rican in New York State Senate, Is Dead at 84". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ Paybarah, Azi (July 29, 2009). "Remembering Olga Mendez". Observer. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ "Choices for State Legislature". The New York Times. October 24, 2004. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ "Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 28 Race - Nov 02, 2004". www.ourcampaigns.com. December 7, 2004. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Jose M. Serrano". www.ourcampaigns.com. February 6, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ Rising Stars 40 Under 40: Jose Serrano Archived February 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, City & State, September 17, 2007.
^ "Senator Serrano Appointed Chair of Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee". NY State Senate. December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
^ Herbert, Geoff (November 4, 2020). "Election results: Who won top races in New York state?". syracuse.com. Retrieved December 8, 2024.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by Pedro G. Espada	New York City Council, 17th district 2002–2004	Succeeded by Maria del Carmen Arroyo
New York State Senate
Preceded by Olga A. Mendez	New York State Senate, 28th district 2005–2013	Succeeded by Liz Krueger
Preceded by Thomas Duane	New York State Senate, 29th district 2013–present	Incumbent