While still a student, Connor worked part-time for the general Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. Later, he served as a clerk to the in-house counsel of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. As a lawyer, Connor practiced corporate and anti-trust law for White & Case, a large Wall Street law firm, as well as the Xerox Corporation. He briefly maintained a private law practice in Brooklyn, but was appointed Assistant Counsel to New York State Comptroller Arthur Leavitt. He resigned that position upon his election to the Senate.
In his time in office, Connor advocated for progressive causes [1] such as reform of the legislative process to open Albany to public scrutiny [2]. He claimed to have observed a voluntary ban on accepting gifts and meals from lobbyists and to have supported a recent law making such a ban mandatory for all legislators [3]. He also supported limiting PAC and corporate campaign contributions to reduce the influence of special interest money in campaigns, as well as spending caps on state level campaigns to provide a level political playing field.[4]
Education
Connor supported the creation of a state college tuition savings program and tuition tax credit [5]. He was also an advocate of changing the state public school aid formula [6], as well as better pay for teachers [7] and smaller class sizes [8]. In 2007, he participated in negotiating an agreement to build the City's first ever green school in Battery Park City [9].
Environment
In addition to his contribution to the construction of New York's first green school (cited above), Mr. Connor supported increased use of alternative fuel technology, cleanup of contaminated industrial sites, and funding for open space preservation [10]. According to EPL Environmental Advocates, Mr. Connor had the highest environmental rating in the Senate in 2007 [11].
Civil and Human Rights
Connor supports the right of women to choice in reproductive matters [12]. He s supported non-discrimination on account of sexual orientation as well as equal legal rights for the LGBT community [13][14][dead link]. He is an opponent of the death penalty[15] but supported proposals to toughen gun laws [16] and increase penalties for hate crimes [17].
Senate Leadership
Connor served for eight years as minority leader of the Senate until he was defeated for the position in 2002 by Sen. David Paterson, who went on to become Governor of New York.
2006 Campaign
In 2006, Senator Connor was opposed in the Democratic primary by Ken Diamondstone, a developer of affordable housing [18]; it was the most serious race the 25th District had seen in years. A key issue in the campaign was Diamondstone's opposition to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a project that Senator Connor supported [19]. Senator Connor won the race with more than 55% of the vote [20].
Comptroller Candidacy
In early 2007 he was among at least 18 candidates for New York State Comptroller, in a special contest decided by the State Legislature [21]. Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli won the race.
A debate, sponsored by the Citizens Union, occurred on Sept. 3. Following the debate, the Citizens Union announced that it had decided to prefer the incumbent, Connor, over his challenger, stating that Connor "would undeniably be in a stronger and more experienced position to effectively advance critical reforms."[5]
Connor lost the 2008 primary to challenger Dan Squadron, who received approximately 54% of the vote.[6]
Post-senatorial career
A longtime election lawyer by trade, Connor began to practice election law full time after leaving the senate.
[7] He is considered one of the "top" attorneys in this field, and has represented candidates at every level of government, from local, state, and congressional races, to presidential campaigns.[8][9][10]