Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Andrea Stewart-Cousins is an American politician and educator currently serving as a member of the New York State Senate, representing District 35. A member of the Democratic Party and the Working Families Party, she holds the distinction of being the first woman to lead a conference in the New York State Legislature and the first Black woman to serve as New York's lieutenant governor. Stewart-Cousins has played a significant role in New York politics, particularly in advocating for progressive legislation and community initiatives.

Early life and career

Andrea Alice Stewart was born on September 2, 1950, in New York City. She is the daughter of Bob Stewart, a decorated World War II veteran, and Beryl Stewart, a stenographer and community activist. Growing up in public housing in Manhattan and the Bronx, Stewart faced health challenges, including chronic asthma. At the age of 19, she became a single parent, navigating the complexities of motherhood while pursuing her education and career. She later married Thomas Cousins in 1979, and together they had three children and four grandchildren. Thomas Cousins passed away on November 26, 2007.

Stewart-Cousins's educational journey began with her pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree from Pace University, which she completed in 1986. She furthered her education by obtaining teaching credentials in business education from Lehman College. In May 2008, she earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Pace University and was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the honor society for public administration.

Before entering public service, Stewart-Cousins spent two decades working in the private sector. Her career included thirteen years in sales and marketing with New York Telephone. Following a merger that led to her buyout in 1984, she transitioned to academia while working for The Herald Statesman, a Gannett newspaper. Her professional experiences in teaching and journalism laid the foundation for her later political career.

Legislative service

Stewart-Cousins began her public service career in 1992 when she was appointed as the Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers during Terence Zaleski's tenure as mayor. In this role, she initiated various community programs, including an internship program for hearing-impaired individuals and children from working families. Her efforts contributed to the revitalization of Yonkers, and she was instrumental in founding the original "Art on Main Street" and co-creating "River Fest," a multicultural celebration on the Hudson River.

In 1995, Stewart-Cousins was elected as a Westchester County Legislator, serving from 1996 to 2006. During her time in the county legislature, she held positions such as Majority Whip and vice-chair. She was active in authoring significant legislation, including laws aimed at establishing living wages, creating smoke-free workplaces, enacting tougher gun regulations, prosecuting predatory lenders, and implementing tax cuts for seniors and veterans. Additionally, she played a key role in enacting Westchester County's first human rights laws.

Stewart-Cousins first ran for the New York State Senate in 2004 but was defeated by incumbent Republican State Senator Nicholas Spano by a narrow margin. She successfully challenged Spano again in 2006, marking the beginning of her tenure in the state legislature. As of 2019, Senate District 35 encompasses all of the Towns of Greenburgh and Mt. Pleasant, along with portions of Yonkers.

Throughout her time in the Senate, Stewart-Cousins has been a proponent of various progressive issues. She voted in favor of same-sex marriage legislation in 2009, although the bill was ultimately defeated. The legislation was later passed in 2011. Stewart-Cousins has also been a vocal advocate for abortion rights, working to expand access to reproductive health services in New York State. In 2010, she was considered as a potential running mate for then-gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo, although he ultimately selected another candidate.

In December 2012, Stewart-Cousins was elected Senate Democratic Leader, becoming the first woman to lead a conference in the New York State Legislature. This leadership role further solidified her influence within the state government.

Policy focus and district

In January 2019, following the Democratic Party's victory in the Senate elections, Stewart-Cousins was elected Senate Majority Leader. This position made her the first female Senate Majority Leader in New York's history. In her capacity as Majority Leader and Temporary President of the Senate, she has been pivotal in advancing a range of progressive legislation. Notably, she sponsored the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which significantly reformed regulations governing rent-controlled apartments in New York City.

Under Stewart-Cousins's leadership, the New York State Senate has passed numerous progressive laws addressing critical issues such as climate change, voting rights, abortion rights, criminal justice reform, gender equality, gun control, marijuana decriminalization, LGBT rights, and immigration. Her leadership style has been characterized as consensus-driven, distinguishing her from previous leaders in the Senate.

In recognition of her influence and contributions, Stewart-Cousins was named to Crain's New York Business biennial list of the "Most Powerful Women in New York" in 2019. Following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo amid allegations of sexual harassment, Stewart-Cousins served as Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York, marking another historic milestone as the first Black woman to hold this position.

Stewart-Cousins continues to represent District 35 in the New York State Senate, where she remains an active participant in shaping legislation and addressing the needs of her constituents. Her extensive background in public service, combined with her commitment to progressive values, has established her as a significant figure in New York politics.