Paul Tonko: Difference between revisions
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==NYSERDA== |
==NYSERDA== |
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Tonko was President and CEO of [http://www.nyserda.org/ NYSERDA] (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) from 2007 to 2008, when he resigned to run for U.S. Representative.<ref name="book-redbook" /><ref name="pr-nyserda" /> |
Tonko was President and CEO of [http://www.nyserda.org/ NYSERDA] (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) from 2007 to 2008, when he resigned to run for U.S. Representative.<ref name="book-redbook" /><ref name="pr-nyserda" /> He is considered an expert in [[energy law]], especially [[New York energy law]]. |
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==Congress== |
==Congress== |
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Revision as of 18:06, 11 September 2010
Paul Tonko | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 21st district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Michael R. McNulty |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 105th district | |
| In office April 1983 – June 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Gail Shaffer |
| Succeeded by | George Amedore |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Single |
| Residence | Amsterdam, New York |
| Alma mater | Clarkson University |
| Profession | Engineer |
| Website | Congressional Campaign Website |
Paul David Tonko (born June 18, 1949) is an American Democratic politician from Amsterdam, New York, currently serving as the Congressman for New York's 21st congressional district. The district is located in the heart of the Capital District (which includes Albany, Schenectady and Troy).
Tonko previously served in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2007, representing the 105th District in the New York State Assembly. He then became the president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, from 2007 until his resignation on April 25, 2008.[1][2]
Education and early career
Tonko is a lifelong resident of Amsterdam, New York, near Schenectady. He holds a degree in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Clarkson University.[1]
Tonko was a member, and subsequently Chair, of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
Assembly
Tonko was elected to the New York State Assembly in April 1983 as a Democrat.[1] He represented the 105th District, which comprises Amsterdam in addition to Rotterdam, Princetown, Mohawk and Glen, and part of Schenectady.[1]
While in the Assembly, Tonko served as the Chairman of the Energy Committee, a position he held since 1992.[1] Tonko was also a member of standing committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Education, where he was the original sponsor and a chief proponent of the College Tuition Savings Program that was signed into law in 1997.[3] Tonko was also the major advocate of "Timothy's Law" to require health insurers to cover mental illness.[4]
Assemblyman Tonko was a chief sponsor of the Northeast Dairy Compact[5], the Chairman of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources[6], and was appointed by Speaker Sheldon Silver to serve as Commissioner for the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission.[citation needed]
Tonko vacated his seat on June 29, 2007, after Gov. Eliot Spitzer tapped Tonko as president of NYSERDA, an authority or public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature.[1]
NYSERDA
Tonko was President and CEO of NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) from 2007 to 2008, when he resigned to run for U.S. Representative.[1][2] He is considered an expert in energy law, especially New York energy law.
Congress
Tonko entered the 2008 Democratic Primary for New York State's 21st Congressional District after 10-term incumbent Michael McNulty (with whom he served in the State Assembly from 1983 to 1989) retired).[7] Despite having less money than both his main rivals, Tonko won the primary on September 9, 2008.[8] He ran against Republican James Buhrmaster, a Schenectady County legislator, in the general election.[8]
The 21st is the most Democratic district in the state outside of the New York City area and Western New York. Democrats have a large advantage in registration.[9] As such, it was generally believed Tonko had assured himself of a seat in Congress with his victory in the primary. On November 4, 2008, he won in a landslide, with over 60% of the total vote.[10] "Tonko's name recognition ... accomplishment in the Legislature, such as the passage of mental health parity legislation, and his record" contributed to his win.[10] According to preliminary figures the day after the election, he beat Burhmaster by 105,313 to 57,086, with Philip Steck, a minor party candidate, receiving 5,025 votes.[10]
Committee assignments
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g New York Red Book (2007-08 ed.). Albany, N.Y.: New York Legal Publishing Corp. p. 965. ISSN 0196-4623.
- ^ a b "Statement from NYSERDA President and CEO Paul D. Tonko" (Press release). NYSERDA. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ Eaton, Leslie (1998-12-06). "New Yorkers Rush to Invest In College Plan". New York Times. New York, New York. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- ^ "Senate Passes "Timothy's Law" to Provide Mental Health Parity" (Press release). The Senate Republican Majority. 2006-09-15. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- ^ Lamendola, Michael (2008-11-05). "Tonko wins to succeed McNulty". The Daily Gazette. Schenectady, New York. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- ^ "Tonko speaking at SUNY Cobleskill". The Daily Star. Oneonta, New York. 2007-05-18. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- ^ New York State Board of Elections website list of candidates. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
- ^ a b Lauren Stanforth, "It's Tonko in 21st: Democrat will face Buhrmaster," September 10, 2008, found at Times Union website. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
- ^ There are 174,054 enrolled Democrats to 119,493 enrolled Republicans and 101,219 not enrolled in any party, with a total of 428,655 Voters Registered as of March 1, 2008, in the district; see New York State Board of Elections website. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- ^ a b c Standforth, Lauren, and Carol Demare, "Tonko cruises to win in 21st Congressional District: Democrat goes to D.C. with handy win over Buhrmaster", November 5, 2008, found at Election coverage. Retrieved November 5, 2008.