Brian X. Foley

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Brian X. Foley
Member of the New York Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010
Preceded byCaesar Trunzo
Succeeded byLee Zeldin
Personal details
Born (1957-12-03) December 3, 1957 (age 66)
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
Residence(s)Blue Point, New York, U.S.
EducationSaint Michael's College (BA)

Brian X. Foley (born December 3, 1957) is an American politician who served as a member of the New York State Senate in 2009 and 2010. He previously served as a member of the Suffolk County Legislature.

Early life and education[edit]

A graduate of St. Anthony's High School, Foley continued his education at Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies.[1]

Career[edit]

He was re-elected five times to the seat once held by his father, John Foley. In 2005, he was elected supervisor of Brookhaven, New York. In 2008, he was elected to the State Senate,[1] after defeating 36-year (18 term) incumbent Republican, Caesar Trunzo.[2] He was the first Democrat elected to the State Senate from Suffolk County since 1902.

He has served on the Brookhaven Roe YMCA Board of Directors, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk County Community Mediation Center, Sunrise District Boy Scouts of America and the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 2004, the Bayport Blue Point Chamber of Commerce presented Foley with its Dedicated Public Service Award. He has been recognized as Person of the Year by the Medford Youth Athletic Association Award in 2000 and the Farmingville Historical Society in 1999.[citation needed]

Marriage Equality Debate 2009[edit]

Brian X. Foley was seen as a key swing senate vote in the 2009 Marriage Equality debate in New York State. In April 2009, Governor David Paterson announced that he would introduce a Marriage Equality bill in the New York State Legislature.[3] Foley voted in favor of Marriage Equality legislation on December 2, 2009, but the bill was defeated.[citation needed]

MTA bailout proposal[edit]

Foley supported an MTA bailout that included a controversial payroll tax on employers. Foley, had balked at the payroll tax because it affected school districts and would likely raise property taxes. In 2009, Foley pledged his support for the MTA bailout.[4]

2010 defeat[edit]

Foley was defeated by Republican Lee Zeldin on November 2, 2010.[5] Senator-Elect Zeldin received 57% of votes cast, defeating Foley by 14 points.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Foley resides in Blue Point, New York with his wife and their two children.[citation needed]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Biography from official Brian X. Foley website". Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  2. ^ Hakim, Danny (October 31, 2010). "G.O.P. May Regain New York Senate Majority". The New York Times.
  3. ^ New York Newsday coverage of Marriage Equality Debate
  4. ^ "Brian X. Foley bailout - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. ^ New York Times review of New York State Senate 2010 election results
  6. ^ Suffolk County Board of Elections Election Night Tally Archived November 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
New York State Senate
Preceded by New York State Senate, 3rd District
2009–2010
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Suffolk County Legislature, 7th District
1993–2005
Succeeded by
Jack Eddington
Preceded by
John Jay LaValle
Town of Brookhaven, Supervisor
2005–2009
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair Person of the Senate Committee on Banks
2009–2010
Succeeded by