Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Anthony Arias
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Anthony Arias (Republican Party) ran for election to the New York State Senate to represent District 26. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Arias completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Arias also ran in the 2018 election as a Reform Party candidate.
Biography
Arias earned his B.A. in economics from George Washington University. His professional experience includes founding and running Sada Capital, a financial services firm, and G Gear, a government contracting company.[1]
Elections
2018
- See also: New York State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 26
Incumbent Brian Kavanagh defeated Anthony Arias and Stuart J. Avrick in the general election for New York State Senate District 26 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Brian Kavanagh (D) | 87.7 | 80,113 |
 | Anthony Arias (R)  | 11.1 | 10,145 | |
| Stuart J. Avrick (Conservative Party) | 1.0 | 913 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 139 | ||
| Total votes: 91,310 (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 26
Incumbent Brian Kavanagh advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 26 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Brian Kavanagh |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New York State Senate District 26
Anthony Arias advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 26 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Anthony Arias |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Conservative Party primary election
Conservative Party primary for New York State Senate District 26
Stuart J. Avrick advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Senate District 26 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Stuart J. Avrick | |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Anthony Arias participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on September 4, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Anthony Arias's responses follow below.[2]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | Sustainable and Resilient Development
MTA Reform |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Environmental Policy - I feel strongly that in NYS a lot of the over-development we are seeing is detrimental to our land, air, and water. The negative impact is not only affecting our natural resources, it displaces people and business and creates and unsustainable community.
Economic Policy - Without a robust economy very little else matters. We must focus on efficient policy that will allow business and people to achieve the goals they want to while providing the necessary systems in place to provide an opportunity for all. Housing Policy - The need for simple affordable housing is key. While communities can benefit from investment there is a right and wrong way to "gentrify" an area. We must using housing policy to bring in the right type of affordable and green space we need.Cite error: Invalid |
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Anthony Arias answered the following:
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
| “ | The most important characteristics for an elected official are:
Honesty Humility Persistence[4] |
” |
| “ | I am someone who is focused on always learning and communicating. I surround myself with good people who all share a common goal, regardless of political affiliation. The only way to achieve anything is with a team focused on listening. Integrity is key and no matter what the challenge one must never forgo an honest route. While the road may be hard and the challenges seemingly insurmountable, if my failures have taught me anything it is to have confidence in myself and never give up! As a result, I feel my persistent and open minded approach in running businesses and community organizations will allow me to successfully lead a representative of the people.[4] | ” |
| “ | The core responsibility of any elected official is to listen to your people. Party lines and your own personal goals are not the objective and can lead to poor governance. The objective is to bring the people's voice to the seat you hold and speak for a community on the issues affecting everyone, not a political party. There are no left and right issues, just the issues, so work tirelessly to represent the people that put you in office.[4] | ” |
| “ | I will leave a legacy of bi-partisanship that is focused on bringing the people's voice back to government. Through a bi-partisan approach I will leave behind legislation that brought back affordable housing and small business spaces, an improved environmental infrastructure, and a reformed Albany that works for state lines, not party lines.[4] | ” |
| “ | The first historical event I remember was 9-11. I was 12 years old. I remember walking the halls of my middle school and hearing about the plane that crashed in PA. My first thought was of my grandparents as I thought the crash was near where they lived. Afterwards I saw on the TV the devastating effects of that day and saw with my own eyes the smoke coming from lower Manhattan. Though the devastation was great and that day a sad memory, one of the memories that stood out to me was how quickly everyone came to together to help people.[4] | ” |
| “ | The very first job I had was mowing lawns and shoveling snow when I was 14. I created a mini landscaping company at the time doing all the neighbors yard work year round for $20 at a yard/driveway. I did landscaping for about 2 years.[4] | ” |
| “ | My most awkward date was a blind date. I had been single for a while and a mutual friend had enough seeing me alone and thought she would set me up with her friend. With excitement I accepted as I had never been on a blind date before. What I consider awkward about the date was the own word answers to my questions. Despite repeated attempts to start a conversation every answer I got was at most one sentence. Alas, most of the date was silence as I hurriedly in my mind tried come up with more questions while having no input from the other side to go off of. Needless to say the date ended fairly quickly and while she wanted to meet again I politely declined.[4] | ” |
| “ | My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love when there is Christmas music playing in the background and my parents home is filled with the smell of freshly baked pastries covering the sounds of a full house of family and friends. I enjoy this holiday for one simple reason, it brings my loved ones home regardless of how far they live to cram into a home, eat, drink, and create new memories while we share stories of good times passed.[4] | ” |
| “ | There are so many books I love but I would say my favorite is "The Exploits and Adventures of Brigadier Gerard". I am a history nerd and this novel pairs historical moments during the Napoleonic Wars with a twist of humor and embellishment in the otherwise unfunny topic of war. In this novel Sir Arthur Conan Doyle leads us on an adventure with Brigadier Gerard across the battle fields of Napoleonic Europe that leaves you laughing but feeling compassion and insightful into the plight of those who have served.[4] | ” |
| “ | With as many books and TV shows/movies I've seen growing up the list is endless! However, I must say I have always been a fan of Batman. Let's be honest, playing with his toys fighting bad guys sounds awesome to me. At the very least driving around in the Batmobile would be a dream come true.[4] | ” |
| “ | My favorite thing in my apartment is drawing material. I enjoy design and sketching and find nothing more enjoyable than listening to music while sketching new ideas for a building or drawing some of my favorite architectural styles. A lot of the times I follow the rhythm of the music to come up with new designs offering me an escape into a new world.[4] | ” |
| “ | "Wait" by Maroon 5. Couldn't get it out of my head for weeks. Still love it though![4] | ” |
| “ | Building my businesses have been a constant struggle. While they are beginning to do well I started the task of being on my own at 22. The financial and emotional burdens have been and can still be taxing as I push forward each year growing a business from scratch and maintaining a health personal life. The ups and downs were hard but eventually I found the right people to surround myself with that helped to make the jagged down parts much smoother. While it is a struggle I love what I do and the people I surrounded myself with to get to where I am today. That passion I have for all that I do has kept me pushing through any obstacle and has allowed me to live a life I could only have dreamed of.[4] | ” |
| “ | While it may beneficial to have previous government experience it is by no means necessary. In fact, I am a big believer that having outsiders come into office is a good aspect as it brings a new way of thinking and doing that many long serving legislators may not do or think of.[4] | ” |
| “ | I believe the greatest Challenges NY has to face over the coming decade is our environmental infrastructure. For too long much of the Clean Air and Water Act has been circumvented with loopholes that has led to over-development and the displacement of many residents and business on top of the tremendous negative impact on our natural resources and much needed resilient infrastructure.[4] | ” |
| “ | The ideal relationship is one of open and honest communication that is not fueled by partisan talking points but instead focuses on a collaborative effort to achieve a common goal, which in this case is to benefit every New Yorker and provide the opportunities for all to reach the goals they each want to achieve.[4] | ” |
| “ | I am a big fan of collaboration and feel having a stronger relationship with other state legislatures will help to empower whole regions of our country. Collaborating will help leverage each states economics of scale and provide for a more efficient use of resources, such as: energy use, waste management, healthcare, etc.[4] | ” |
| “ | I favor an independent redistricting process[4] | ” |
| “ | I would love to sit on the following committees:
Housing, Construction, Community Development Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Environmental Conservation Corporations, Authorities and Commissions[4] |
” |
| “ | I would be interested in joining my parties leadership. Being in a leadership role would allow me a great voice to bring reform to the party and ensure it always keeps the people's voice in mind.[4] | ” |
| “ | I would consider a run for higher office once I felt I had done more than enough to positively impact the day-to-day lives of New Yorkers. However, I may also go back to the private sector if I felt enough had been accomplished, so I can not say for sure.[4] | ” |
| “ | At this point in the campaign I have met countless people. However, the most memorable story is speaking Ed who lives in the Lower East Side. His story was one of a dying neighborhood that his elected officials have sold off to developers. His concern was so sincere I felt his pain as he detailed the loss of green spaces and affordable housing along with countless struggling businesses. Not only was there the loss of the fabric of the community but currently the threat of even more parks and housing going away that our elected officials are pushing for! As a lifetime New Yorker Ed detailed the changes he saw in the community, not all for the better and how he and many other feel that they no longer have a voice in government. It was painful to see his expression and hear his tone as he detailed how frustrated he and the community feel but encouraging to see that neither he nor anyone else is giving up easily and fighting back by organizing together and winning! I take that as inspiration to be ever more persistent and remind myself even on bad days that people like Ed, despite insurmountable odds, are fighting back to reclaim NYC for the people and that slowly we can win and bring meaningful change back to our streets. I hope to be a new voice and bring Ed's voice, and everyone's in my district, back to Albany.[4] | ” |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia via email on September 4, 2018
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Anthony Arias's responses," September 4, 2018
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
Current members of the New York State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Minority Leader:Robert Ortt
Senators
District 1
Anthony Palumbo (R)
District 2
Mario Mattera (R)
District 3
Dean Murray (R)
District 4
Monica Martinez (D)
District 5
Steven Rhoads (R)
District 6
Siela Bynoe (D)
District 7
Jack Martins (R)
District 8
Alexis Weik (R)
District 9
District 10
James Sanders (D)
District 11
Toby Stavisky (D)
District 12
Michael Gianaris (D)
District 13
Jessica Ramos (D)
District 14
Leroy Comrie (D)
District 15
Joseph Addabbo (D)
District 16
John Liu (D)
District 17
Steve Chan (R)
District 18
Julia Salazar (D)
District 19
Roxanne Persaud (D)
District 20
Zellnor Myrie (D)
District 21
Kevin Parker (D)
District 22
Sam Sutton (D)
District 23
District 24
Andrew Lanza (R)
District 25
Jabari Brisport (D)
District 26
Andrew Gounardes (D)
District 27
Brian Kavanagh (D)
District 28
Liz Krueger (D)
District 29
Jose Serrano (D)
District 30
Cordell Cleare (D)
District 31
Robert Jackson (D)
District 32
Luis Sepúlveda (D)
District 33
J. Rivera (D)
District 34
District 35
District 36
Jamaal Bailey (D)
District 37
Shelley Mayer (D)
District 38
William Weber (R)
District 39
Robert Rolison (R)
District 40
Peter Harckham (D)
District 41
Michelle Hinchey (D)
District 42
James Skoufis (D)
District 43
Jacob Ashby (R)
District 44
James Tedisco (R)
District 45
Daniel Stec (R)
District 46
Patricia Fahy (D)
District 47
District 48
Rachel May (D)
District 49
Mark Walczyk (R)
District 50
Christopher Ryan (D)
District 51
Peter Oberacker (R)
District 52
Lea Webb (D)
District 53
Joseph Griffo (R)
District 54
Pamela Helming (R)
District 55
Samra Brouk (D)
District 56
Jeremy Cooney (D)
District 57
George Borrello (R)
District 58
Thomas O'Mara (R)
District 59
Kristen Gonzalez (D)
District 60
Patrick Gallivan (R)
District 61
Sean Ryan (D)
District 62
Robert Ortt (R)
District 63
April Baskin (D)
Democratic Party (41)
Republican Party (22)
