Senator Jeff Klein, Chair
As Chair of the New York Senate Dems, Senator Klein oversees all committee activities. His efforts are particularly focused on directing the New York Senate Dems’ fundraising efforts, providing our candidates with the resources they need to wage successful campaigns.
In the Senate, Jeff Klein serves as Deputy Majority Leader and has built a reputation as an effective and trusted public servant who protects the vulnerable, fights injustice, promotes equality and defends individual rights. During his tenure, he has conducted dozens of investigations exposing government waste, sneaky practices by HMOs, consumer fraud and hidden threats to public health and safety. During the 2008 legislative session he fought to provide relief for the thousands of homeowners struggling with crushing, local property tax burdens.
Senator Liz Krueger, Candidate Recruitment Co-Chair
As the Candidate Recruitment Co-Chair, Senator Krueger plays a lead role in identifying new candidates to challenge targeted incumbent Republicans and join our efforts to reverse 44 years of Republican deals, deficits and dysfunction in Albany. Her work helps the New York Senate Dems effectively allocate campaign resources, as well as cultivate and grow the pool of Democratic political talent.
In the Senate, Liz Krueger serves as the Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee, and she has made reforming and modernizing New York State’s governmental and electoral processes and tax policy a central goal of her legislative agenda. She has served on numerous boards, including the Manhattan Borough President’s Task Force on Education, Employment and Welfare. In her first term, Senator Krueger was a leader in the successful fight to pass the Women’s Health and Wellness Act.
Senator Malcolm A. Smith, Campaign Co-Chair
As Campaign Co-Chair, Senator Smith helps craft our strategy to protect incumbent Democrats during the 2010 election cycle, as well as develop a successful plan for picking up new seats. Smith’s work is crucial in maintaining and growing the Democratic Majority, thereby ensuring that the New York Senate Dems can continue the work of creating jobs, providing property tax relief and cutting spending.
In the Senate, Malcolm Smith serves as the Temporary President of the New York State Senate. In this capacity he has fundamentally reformed the way the Senate operates, making it more open, transparent, and bipartisan than ever before. He is an outspoken champion for economic growth throughout the state, equal opportunity and government reform. Smith has also been a leader in the effort to bring economic activity to Upstate New York, creating a "One New York" campaign that has highlighted the critical importance of the Upstate economy to New York’s development and success.
Senator Antoine Thompson, Communications Co-Chair
As Communications Co-Chair, Senator Thompson is responsible for crafting the Committee's communications strategy for the 2010 campaign cycle. Working with candidates, the press, and the New York Senate Dems staff, Senator Thompson works to develop and drive the Democratic message across all media channels and counter Republican attacks and distortions.
In the Senate, Antoine Thompson serves as the Acting Majority Whip and Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee. Senator Thompson also serves on the following committees: Civil Service and Pensions; Finance; Health; Insurance; Local Government; Tourism, Recreation, and Sports Development; and Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs. He is a Co-Chair of the Senate’s MWBE Taskforce. His areas of focus include the environment, education, healthcare, small business and economic development, and transportation.
