New Leader for Senate Democrats, New Leadership Position for Senator Kennedy

Last month, Senate Democrats made history when they voted to make Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins the first woman to lead a legislative conference in New York State history.

Senator Kennedy is proud to report that Senator Stewart-Cousins has asked him to serve on her leadership team for the Democratic Conference. In his new role as Assistant Whip, it will be Kennedy's job to help gather and secure support for important pieces of legislation that come before the Senate. Kennedy will be whipping votes and using this new position to make sure his legislative colleagues get behind proposals that are important to Buffalo and Western New York.

"As the new Senate Democratic leader, Senator Stewart-Cousins will always remain an advocate for the underserved and a champion for working families. She has now earned her place in history by becoming the first woman to lead either the Democrats or Republicans in the Senate or Assembly," Kennedy said. 

"With our new leader and growing statewide support for our progressive agenda, this is an exciting time for Senate Democrats," he added. "I look forward to working with Senator Stewart-Cousins to raise the minimum wage, reform campaign finance laws, boost economic growth and pass other important measures in the upcoming legislative session."

Senator Stewart-Cousins was elected to the State Senate in 2006 and represents the Town of Greenburgh, the Town of Mt. Pleasant and the City of Yonkers. Prior to serving in the Senate, Stewart-Cousins served as majority whip and vice-chair of the Westchester County Legislature. Recently, she was appointed to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Mandate Relief Redesign Team.

“Leader Stewart-Cousins will fight for issues important to Western New York families,” Kennedy said. “She is committed to moving our state in the right direction, and I’m proud to join with her in this effort.”