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Robert Carroll (American politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Carroll
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 44th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2017
Preceded byJames F. Brennan
Personal details
Born (1986-10-26) October 26, 1986 (age 38)
Brooklyn, New York
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceBrooklyn, New York
Alma materBinghamton University (BS)
New York Law School (JD)
Signature
WebsiteAssembly website

Robert C. Carroll (born October 26, 1986) is an American politician and attorney. He is a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 44th District. The district includes portions of the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Borough Park, Victorian Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Prospect Heights and Midwood, as well as the entirety of Prospect Park.

Early life and education

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Carroll is a lifelong resident of Brooklyn and was raised in the Windsor Terrace and Kensington neighborhoods. He attended P.S. 230 and Xaverian High School before graduating from Binghamton University and receiving his J.D. from New York Law School.[1]

He currently resides in Park Slope with his wife Virginia and their son Teddy.[2]

Career

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Carroll was a practicing attorney at a firm in Manhattan and the Development Director of a non-profit theatrical organization.[3]

Carroll became the youngest president of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats. He also served as a member of Brooklyn Community Board 7.[1]

New York State Assembly

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Retiring Assemblyman James F. Brennan stepped down in 2016, creating the first vacancy in 32 years.[4]

Carroll easily secured the Democratic nomination.[citation needed] He also won the nomination of the Working Families Party.[citation needed]

Carroll is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Museums and Cultural Institutions as well as the Commission on Government Administration.[2]

Carroll has written and co-sponsored several bills designed to help children with dyslexia.[5] In 2020, Carroll wrote a bill that would enforce tests in schools that would help to screen young students for dyslexia. The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity praised Carroll and the bill, calling the bill "groundbreaking news for all who care about [d]yslexia and the future of children who are [d]yslexic."[6]

In 2019 Carroll worked with the Brooklyn Irish LGBTQ+ Organization (BILO) and the Irish American Parade Committee to allow for BILO to walk in the Brooklyn St. Patrick's Day Parade. This marked the first time an openly LGBTQ+ organization marched in the parade. Carroll's grandfather co-founded the parade in 1976. On the committee's decision, Carroll stated, "I am so glad that everyone was able to come together to honor Irish heritage and culture and make this the first fully inclusive St. Patrick's Day parade in Brooklyn."[7]

Carroll has spoken in favor of building more affordable housing, but has opposed increases in housing supply in his own district.[8] In 2024, he opposed a plan to build two 13-story residential buildings on the lot of a vacant factory building on Prospect Ave. The proposed buildings would provide 244 units (of which 20-30% were set aside for affordable housing) for more than 1,000 residents.[9][10] Carroll has argued that more housing would lead to gentrification and displacement.[10][8]

Election results

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Election results[11]
Date Election Party Votes for Carroll % Opponent Party Votes %
September 2016 Primary election Green tickY Democratic 6,031 90.03% R.M. Curry-Smithson Democratic 369 5.51%
November 2016 General election Green tickY Democratic 34,779 85.45% Glenn Nocera Republican 5,921 14.55%
November 2018 General election Green tickY Democratic 29,972 85.8% Yevgeny Goldberg Republican 4,890 14%
November 2020 General election Green tickY Democratic 37,457 79.13% Salvatore Barrera Republican 9,804 20.7%
November 2022 General election Green tickY Democratic 35,672 86.01% Brenda Horton Republican 5,546 13.37%

References

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  1. ^ a b "New York State Assembly | Robert C. Carroll". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  2. ^ a b "Robert C. Carroll - Assembly District 44 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly".
  3. ^ "Bio - Robert Carroll Democratic District Leader 44th A.D." Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  4. ^ "Veteran Brooklyn Assemblyman James Brennan will retire - NY Daily News". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  5. ^ "Robert C. Carroll - Assembly District 44 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly".
  6. ^ "Assemblymember Robert Carroll and New York City Department of Education Announce Implementation of Shaywitz DyslexiaScreen". 14 January 2020.
  7. ^ "First LGBTQ+ group to march in a Brooklyn St. Patrick's Day Parade". 7 March 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Park Slope Group Fights New Apartments on Factory Lot". New York Focus. 2023.
  9. ^ "Area Residents Balk at Prospect Avenue Rezoning Pitch". BKReader. 2023-12-04.
  10. ^ a b "Windsor Terrace Divided Over Lot Rezoning Proposal". BKReader. 2024-09-10.
  11. ^ "Election History, Robert Carroll, 44th Assembly District". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
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Political offices
Preceded by New York Assembly, 44th District
2017–present
Incumbent