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Andrea Stewart-Cousins
2007 - Present
2027
18
Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Democratic Party) 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.[1]
Stewart-Cousins was born in New York, New York, in 1950.[2] She received a bachelor's degree in 1986 and a master's degree in 2008, both from Pace University.[3] 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.[4]
In 1992, Yonkers Mayor Terence Zaleski appointed Stewart-Cousins as the city's director of community affairs.[5] 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."[6]
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 (D) in the general election 71.5% to 28.5%.[7] During her tenure, Stewart-Cousins served as majority whip and later vice-chair.[8] 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.”[5][9]
In 2004, Stewart-Cousins ran to represent District 35 in the New York Senate.[2] According to The Times Union, her run against incumbent Sen. Nicholas Spano (R) resulted in what was then the longest recount in New York history.[10] Ultimately, Spano defeated Stewart-Cousins by 18 votes.[10] However, in 2006, Stewart-Cousins defeated Spano 51.1% to 48.7%.[11] During her tenure in the Senate, Stewart-Cousins worked on legislation in multiple areas, including voting, housing, and the justice system.[8]
In December 2012, Senate Democrats elected Stewart-Cousins as Senate Democratic leader.[2] In that year's general elections, Democrats won a numerical majority in the chamber. However, a group of Democratic senators called the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) established a coalition with Republicans, keeping the chamber under Republican control until the IDC's dissolution in April 2018.
After Democrats regained a majority due to the 2018 general elections, Stewart-Cousins became Senate majority leader.[1] According to lohud, at the time, "her elevation to the powerful post means she will have a permanent seat at Albany's negotiating table, marking the first time a woman has broken through the state Capitol's infamous 'three men in a room' culture—in which the governor, Senate majority leader, and Assembly speaker hash out budgets and major legislation behind closed doors."[1] The New York Senate re-elected Stewart-Cousins as majority leader in December 2024.[12]
On her tenure in elected office, Stewart-Cousins said, "I appreciate the fact that people, over the years, have given me more and more responsibility, and I also believe that part of that is because I act responsibly with the power I get. So people trust me with more."[13]
On Aug. 24, 2021, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) stepped down as governor.[14] When Cuomo left office, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) became the Governor of New York. Stewart-Cousins became acting Lieutenant Governor of New York until Brian Benjamin (D) was sworn in on Sept. 9, 2021.
Biography
Stewart-Cousins earned her B.S. from Pace University and her M.P.A. from Pace University in 2008. Her professional experience includes being an English teacher at Lincoln High School, a journalist for Gannett, the Human Resources Manager for Careerblazers, and marketing professional for American Telephone & Telegraph. She was also Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers from 1992 to 1996.
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2021-2022
Stewart-Cousins was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Rules Committee, Chair
2019-2020
Stewart-Cousins was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Rules Committee, Chair
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Rules |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Stewart-Cousins served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Rules |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Stewart-Cousins served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Rules |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Stewart-Cousins served on these committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business |
| • Environmental Conservation |
| • Finance |
| • Health |
| • Local Government |
| • Racing, Gaming and Wagering |
| • Rules |
| • Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Stewart-Cousins served on these committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Banks |
| • Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business |
| • Education |
| • Finance |
| • Health |
| • Labor |
| • Local Government |
| • Rules |
| • Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: New York State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 35
Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins defeated Khristen Kerr in the general election for New York State Senate District 35 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D / Working Families Party) | 66.1 | 81,254 |
 | Khristen Kerr (R) | 33.8 | 41,541 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 55 | ||
| Total votes: 122,850 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 35.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Khristen Kerr advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 35.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins advanced from the Working Families Party primary for New York State Senate District 35.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Stewart-Cousins in this election.
2022
See also: New York State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 35
Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins defeated Khristen Kerr in the general election for New York State Senate District 35 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D / Working Families Party) | 64.8 | 56,220 |
| Khristen Kerr (R) | 35.2 | 30,549 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 20 | ||
| Total votes: 86,789 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 35.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Khristen Kerr advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 35.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins advanced from the Working Families Party primary for New York State Senate District 35.
2020
See also: New York State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 35
Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins won election in the general election for New York State Senate District 35 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D / Working Families Party) | 99.6 | 103,811 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 386 | ||
| Total votes: 104,197 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 35.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins advanced from the Working Families Party primary for New York State Senate District 35.
2018
- See also: New York State Senate elections, 2018
Stewart-Cousins also ran in the 2018 election as a Working Families Party, Women's Equality Party, Independence Party, and Reform Party candidate.
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 35
Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins won election in the general election for New York State Senate District 35 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) | 99.4 | 80,074 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 475 | ||
| Total votes: 80,549 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 35
Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins defeated Virginia Perez in the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 35 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Andrea Stewart-Cousins | 80.9 | 25,129 |
| Virginia Perez | 19.1 | 5,925 | ||
| Total votes: 31,054 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
- See also: New York State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.
Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins ran unopposed in the New York State Senate District 35 general election.[15][16]
| New York State Senate, District 35 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic |  Andrea Stewart-Cousins Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: New York Board of Elections | ||
Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins ran unopposed in the New York State Senate District 35 Democratic primary.[17][18]
| New York State Senate, District 35 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Andrea Stewart-Cousins Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Stewart-Cousins also ran on the Working Families, Independence, and Women's Equality Party tickets.
2014
- See also: New York State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014. Incumbent Andrea Stewart-Cousins was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Robert Lopez Foti was unopposed in the Republican primary. Stewart-Cousins also ran on the Working Families Party, Independence Party of New York State and Women's Equality Party tickets. Foti also ran on the Conservative Party ticket. Stewart-Cousins defeated Foti in the general election.[19][20][21]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrea Stewart-Cousins Incumbent |
69.3% | 43,862 | |
| Republican | Robert Lopez Foti | 25% | 15,811 | |
| None | Blank | 5.7% | 3,581 | |
| None | Scattering | 0.1% | 37 | |
| Total Votes | 63,291 | |||
2012
- See also: New York State Senate elections, 2012
Stewart-Cousins ran in the 2012 election for New York State Senate District 35. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on September 13, 2012. She also ran on the Working Families Party and Independence Party of New York State tickets. Stewart-Cousins was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[22][23][24]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrea Stewart-Cousins Incumbent |
100% | 84,180 | |
| Total Votes | 84,180 | |||
2010
- See also: New York State Senate elections, 2010
Stewart-Cousins ran in the 2010 election for New York State Senate District 35. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She defeated Liam J. McLaughlin (R) in the November 2 general election.[25][26] She ran as a member of the Democratic, Independence and Working Families party.
| New York State Senate, General Election Results, District 35 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D)
|
43,066 | |||
| Liam J. McLaughlin (R) | 34,285 | |||
2008
- See also: New York State Senate elections, 2008
On November 4, 2008, Andrea Stewart-Cousins won the election for New York State Senate, District 35 with 70,811 votes.[27][28]
Stewart-Cousins raised $562,233 for her campaign.[29]
| New York State Senate, District 35 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D)
|
70,811 | |||
| John M. Murtagh (R) | 43,940 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Andrea Stewart-Cousins did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Andrea Stewart-Cousins did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Andrea Stewart-Cousins did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2014
Stewart-Cousins' campaign website highlighted the following issues:[30]
Women’s Issues: Equality Act & Paid Family Leave
- Excerpt: "While New York has made strides in protecting women’s hard-won rights, Senator Stewart-Cousins knows there is more to do. Two important steps include passage of the entire ten point Women’s Equality Act and ensuring Paid Family Leave becomes law in New York State."
Jobs & Economic Development
- Excerpt: "Senator Stewart-Cousins knows the state must be engaged in finding new and innovative means of attracting new businesses and retaining jobs. She has been at the forefront of the State’s efforts to truly make New York Open for Business."
Taxes
- Excerpt: "Senator Stewart-Cousins understands that Westchester taxpayers are over-burdened. That’s why she has a strong record of lowering taxes and keeping New York affordable. She voted to lower the middle class income tax rates to the lowest levels in 60 years. She also successfully fought to cut a tax on utility bills called the 18A utility assessment. This tax cut will save businesses and individuals $300 million over the next three years."
Ethics & Campaign Finance Reform
- Excerpt: "Senator Stewart-Cousins is a strong voice for restoring the public trust in government by passing stricter ethics laws and revising the state’s broken campaign finance system."
Minimum Wage
- Excerpt: "Senator Stewart-Cousins believes that New York’s current minimum wage of $8 an hour is just not sufficient. She also believes that the incremental increase to $9 an hour, set to take place by 2016, does not happen fast enough. She has been pushing for a better, more immediate increase of the minimum wage that is indexed to the rate of inflation."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of New York scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 3 to June 8.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 4 to June 21.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 5 to June 4.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 6 to June 10.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 8 to December 31.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 9 through January 8, 2020.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 202nd New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 3 through June 20.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 202nd New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 4 through December 31. A recess began June 21, and there was a special session June 28-29.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the 201st New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 6 through June 18.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the 201st New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 7 through June 25.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 200th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 8 to June 19, 2014.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 200th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 9 to December 31.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the 199th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 4 to June 22, 2012.
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2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the 199th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 5 to June 20, 2011.
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Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Stewart-Cousins' endorsements included the following:[31]
|
|
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Stewart-Cousins and her husband, Thomas, have three children.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate New York State Senate District 35 |
Officeholder New York State Senate District 35 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 lohud, "History made: Andrea Stewart-Cousins sworn in as NY Senate leader," January 9, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Westchester Magazine, "Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ Quiet Storm," August 19, 2014
- ↑ Pace University Alumni, "Honoree Andrea Stewart-Cousins '86, MPA '08," accessed April 2, 2025
- ↑ South Broadway Buisness Improvement District of Yonkers, "Andrea Stewart-Cousins," accessed April 2, 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 lohud, "Five things to know about state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, April 4, 2018
- ↑ The Cut, "How I Get It Done: Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Most Powerful Woman in the New York State Senate," August 26, 2019
- ↑ Our Campaigns, "Westchester County Legislature 16," accessed April 2, 2025
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The New York State Senate, "About Andrea Stewart-Cousins," accessed April 2, 2025
- ↑ Westchester County, New York, "Human Rights Law," accessed April 2, 2025
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 The Times Union, "Stewart-Cousins' steady climb to the top," December 5, 2018
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "2006 Nov 7, General, State Senator, State Senate District 35," accessed April 2, 2025
- ↑ Spectrum News, "Andrea Stewart-Cousins reelected as New York state Senate majority leader," December 4, 2024
- ↑ Yonkers Times, "Senate Maj. Leader Stewart-Cousins, from Westchester, makes history," January 21, 2019
- ↑ The New York Times, "Live Updates: Governor Cuomo Says He Will Resign," August 10, 2021
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Election results, 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 State/Local Primary," accessed August 29, 2016
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Election returns September 13, 2016," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Certification for the September 9, 2014, State Primary Election," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Primary results for September 9, 2014," accessed October 1, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Senate Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Candidate List for the September 13, 2012, State Primary Election," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official September 13, 2012, Primary Results," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official Senate Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ New York Times, "NY state legislative election results," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Official Primary results from September 14, 2010," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Official Primary results from September 9, 2008," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Official Senate Election Returns November 4, 2008," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Report on Andrea's 2008 campaign contributions," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ Andrea Stewart-Cousins campaign website, "Issues," accessed October 7, 2014
- ↑ Andrea Stewart-Cousins campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 7, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kathy Hochul (D) |
Lieutenant Governor of New York 2021-2021 |
Succeeded by Brian Benjamin (D) |
| Preceded by - |
New York State Senate District 35 2007-Present |
Succeeded by - |
