Senator Mike Gianaris, Chair

As Chair of the New York Senate Dems, Senator Gianaris 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, Mike Gianaris represents the 12th District in Queens. He was elected to this position in 2010 with over 81% of the vote. Prior to his work in the Senate, Gianaris spent 10 years as the Assemblyman for Astoria, Queens and was the first Greek-American elected in New York City.

During his time in the Assembly, Gianaris emerged as a leader on government reform issues, championing numerous measures to improve the efficiency and transparency of state government, including a proposal to reform the legislative redistricting process that the New York Times has called "the real key to reform" in Albany. In 2006, Gianaris also served as Finance Chair for the State Democratic Party, helping to break fundraising records which greatly contributed to the Democrat’s historic sweep of every statewide office and the gain of three Congressional seats.

Senator Gianaris currently sits on the Energy, Finance, Health, and Judiciary Committees, and is the ranking Democratic member of the Codes Committee.

Co-Chairs

Senator Neil Breslin

Neil Breslin, the newly serving Deputy Minority Leader, has represented the 46th District in the State Senate for 14 years. He is a life-long resident of Albany County and a long-time community leader. He served for 15 years as a board member of Arbor House, a residence facility for women in need, and served as president of Arbor House for a period of seven years. Neil has been the attorney for St. Anne's Institute in Albany and has done work for Hospitality House, the International Center and Hope House, a drug treatment facility.

Senator Breslin is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, and recognized for his work by the Council of Churches, the Legal Project, the Homeless Action Committee, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Caregivers Respite Services of Catholic Charities, New York State Bar Association, American Civil Liberties Union, KidsPeace National Centers, Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club.

Deputy Leader Breslin currently serves on the Agriculture, Education, Ethics, Finance, Judiciary, Labor, and Rules Committees, and he is the ranking Democratic member of the Insurance Committee.

Senator Jose Peralta

In 2002, at the age of 30, José Peralta was elected to the New York State Assembly, where he distinguished himself as a fighter for immigrants and working families. As the Chairman of the Banking Sub-Committee, José expanded the number of branches serving low-income communities. In addition, he secured millions to improve local schools, spearheaded Operation Impact to put more police on the streets, and brought in the Doe Fund to help keep the streets of the 39th Assembly District clean. Running on a platform of reforming the legislature, Senator Peralta was elected to the State Senate a special election that took place in 2010.

Senator Peralta was recently appointed as the Democratic Whip in the State Senate, and he serves on the Finance, Insurance, Investigations, and Mental Health Committees.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the newly appointed Assistant Democratic Leader for Conference Operations. She was elected to the New York State Senate in 2006 to represent Greenburgh, Mount Pleasant and Yonkers.

During her time in office, she has successfully fought for unprecedented levels of additional funding for Yonkers city services and schools, and ensured that State foundation aid to Westchester schools saw the highest increases in the last decade. She has also introduced and passed an Election Reform Legislation Package, and co-sponsored legislation to make permanent the Power for Jobs program.

Senator Stewart Cousins currently serves on the Banks, Commerce, Finance, Health, Racing, Rules and Veterans Committees, and she is the ranking Democratic Member of the Local Government Committee. She was recently appointed by Governor Cuomo to serve on his Mandate Relief Redesign Team.