Quick Facts
Biography
Jamaal Bailey is the Senator for the 36th District of the New York Senate. He is a Democrat. The district includes portions of Baychester, Bedford Park, Country Club, Eastchester, Fordham, Morris Park, Parkchester, Riverdale, Tremont, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, and Woodlawn in the Bronx as well as Mount Vernon in Westchester County.
Life and career
Bailey was born and raised in the Bronx where he attended New York City Public Schools, including P.S. 83 in Morris Park. He would later attend the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, and later yet the University at Albany. Bailey received his juris-doctorate from the CUNY School of Law.
A protege of New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Bailey began his political career as an intern in Heastie's office. Bailey is married with two daughters.
New York State Senate
In mid 2016, state Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson resigned from her seat to take a position with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Bailey ran in the state primary to replace her. Against four other Democratic candidates, Bailey would win an outright majority of the vote with over 55%. Much of his success was attributed to both his roots in the district, as well as the strong support given by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who Bailey formerly worked for. Heastie's district covers a portion of the same area of the Bronx.
Bailey went on to win the general election with over 97% of the vote.