Barry Grodenchik

Barry Grodenchik
Member of the New York City Council
from the 23rd district
In office
November 24, 2015 – December 31, 2021
Preceded byMark Weprin
Succeeded byLinda Lee
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 22nd district
In office
January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2004
Preceded byThomas Alfano
Succeeded byJimmy Meng
Personal details
Born (1960-02-12) February 12, 1960 (age 64)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDebra Grodenchik
Children1
RelativesMax Grodenchik (brother)
Alma materBinghamton University
WebsiteOfficial website

Barry Grodenchik (born February 12, 1960) is an American politician who served in the New York City Council for the 23rd district from 2015 to 2021. He is a Democrat. The district includes portions of Bayside, Queens, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Little Neck, Oakland Gardens and Queens Village in Queens.

Personal life and family

Grodenchik was born in The Bronx, New York. He grew up in Pomonok Houses, a NYCHA public housing neighborhood, and attended New York City Public Schools, graduating from Jamaica High School in 1977. He would go on to attain a bachelor's degree in history and economics from Binghamton University.[1] Grodenchik is a lifelong Queens resident.

Grodenchik's brother, Max Grodenchik, is an actor best known for his work as the recurring character Rom in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

State politics

In 1987, Grodenchik got his start in public service, working on the staff of Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn, who represented portions of north-central Queens. He would work for her until leaving to become the Queens Regional Representative for then-New York Governor Mario Cuomo, where he worked for two years. Grodenchik would leave in 1991 to become the Chief Administrative Officer for Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, and later served as Deputy Borough President for her successor, Helen Marshall.

Following an unsuccessful bid for New York City Council in 2001,[2] where he lost the primary election to James Gennaro, Grodenchik would go on to win election to the New York Assembly in 2002 for a new district centered in Flushing.[3] Grodenchik lost his reelection bid in 2004 to Jimmy Meng.

Grodenchik announced a campaign for Queens Borough President in 2013, but dropped out to endorse Melinda Katz, who eventually won election to the seat.[4] He would go on to work for Katz after she took office.[5]

New York City Council

In 2015, Councilman Mark Weprin resigned from his seat on the city council to take a position in the administration of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Grodenchik entered the race for the special election to replace him.[6]

In a six-way Democratic primary election, Grodenchik defeated Bob Friedrich, Rebecca Lynch, Satnam Singh Parhar, Ali Najmi and Celia Dosamantes to take the nomination with 27% of the vote. He defeated Republican Joe Concannon, 55%–38%, to win the seat.[7] Grodenchik was sworn into office on November 24, 2015.[8]

Election history
Location Year Election Results
NYC Council
District 23 		2017 Democratic Primary √ Barry Grodenchik 79.23%
Benny Itteera 20.20%
NYC Council
District 23 		2017 General √ Barry Grodenchik (D) 65.32%
Joseph Concannon 32.67% (R)
John Lim 1.92% (Independent)

References

  1. ^ "Grodenchik says years in government prepare him for Council". Times Ledger. 2015-08-25. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  2. ^ "3 Experienced Candidates Battle, Cordially, in Middle-Class Area of Queens". New York Times. 2001-08-28. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  3. ^ "In New Flushing Assembly District, Asian-Americans Still Face Tough Campaign Fight". New York Times. 2002-08-10. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  4. ^ "Grodenchik to Enter Race for Queens Borough President". DNAinfo. 2013-01-03. Archived from the original on 2016-08-29. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  5. ^ "Two More Queens Democrats Back Barry Grodenchik". Observer. 2015-08-07. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  6. ^ "Top Candidate for Mark Weprin Seat Adds Campaign Manager". Observer. May 19, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  7. ^ "Barry Grodenchik Wins Queens City Council Race". Observer. November 3, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  8. ^ "Grodenchik settles into new job, selects Behar as top aide". Times Ledger. November 3, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly
22nd district
2003-2004 		Succeeded by
New York City Council
Preceded by New York City Council
23rd district
2015–2021 		Succeeded by