Andrea Stewart-Cousins is a member of the New York State Senate, representing District 35. She assumed office in 2007. Her current term ends on January 1, 2027. Stewart-Cousins became State Senate Majority Leader on Jan. 9, 2019. Stewart-Cousins was born in New York, New York, in 1950. She received a bachelor's degree in 1986 and a master's degree in 2008, both from Pace University. Before entering public service, Stewart-Cousins worked in customer service, sales, and marketing for New York Telephone/AT&T for 13 years and later worked in journalism and education. In 1992, Yonkers Mayor Terence Zaleski appointed Stewart-Cousins as the city's director of community affairs. Stewart-Cousins said of her work as director, "After serving with the mayor for four years, I said, right now, I'm helping somebody implement their vision. If I'm elected on my own, then I can implement mine." From 1996 to 2006, Stewart-Cousins represented District 16 in the Westchester County Board of Legislators. She was first elected in 1995 after defeating incumbent Herman Keith in the general election 71.5% to 28.5%. During her tenure, Stewart-Cousins served as majority whip and later vice-chair. She also helped to pass the county's Human Rights Law in 1999, which, according to the county's website, "prohibits discrimination based on protected classes in employment, places of public accommodations, credit lending and in instances of discriminatory harassment.”
