Sarah Anker
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Sarah Anker (Democratic Party, Common Sense Suffolk Party) ran for election to the New York State Senate to represent District 1. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Anker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Sarah Anker was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She earned a high school diploma from Pasco Comprehensive High School and a bachelor's degree from St. Leo University in 1986.
Her career experience includes working as a public relations professional and energy specialist. As of 2024, Anker was affiliated with the Democratic Party, Eleanor's Legacy, and the Long Island Sierra Club.[1] She served as a Suffolk County Legislator for 13 years.[2]
Elections
2024
See also: New York State Senate elections, 2024
General election
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Sarah Anker advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 1.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Anthony Palumbo advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 1.
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Anthony Palumbo advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Senate District 1.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
To view Anker's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Anker in this election.
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sarah Anker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Anker's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m a Mt. Sinai resident, mother of three children, and a former Suffolk County Legislator where I served for close to 13 years until I was term limited. I look forward to continuing to be a strong voice on economic sustainability, affordability, children’s health, farmland and open space preservation, and environmental protection. I am pro union and pro choice.
I founded Community Health and Environment Coalition (CHEC) and led the organization to raise awareness about how our environment directly impacts our health. Our advocacy led to advancing New York State Department of Health’s investigation of cancer cluster causes in my community.
Prior to being elected, I was appointed as Brookhaven Town’s Director of the Office of Energy and Sustainability, where I implemented the Green Homes Go Solar programs, which provided energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities and resources for Brookhaven Town's 500,000 residents.
I was recognized as Woman of the Year for Environment by the Times-Beacon Newspaper and received the New York State Senate and Assembly Woman of Distinction Awards. I’ve served on numerous committees including United States Congressman Tim Bishop’s Breast Cancer Advisory Board, New York State Senator Ken LaValle’s Environmental Roundtable, Suffolk County’s Cancer Awareness Taskforce, Brookhaven National Laboratory Community Advisory Committee, and as a Mt. Sinai School Board Trustee. - Putting People Over Politics
- Finding Common Ground for the Common Good
- Making Long Island Affordable Again
As a former Suffolk County Legislator, I won my largely republican district 7 times as a democrat because I put people over politics. I'm passionate about the people I represent. I listened to what my constituents needed and fought hard to deliver results. From repairing potholes and addressing traffic safety to raising awareness about the opioid addiction epidemic by providing prevention programs, rehabilitation assistance and working with law enforcement and the courts. I'm proactive and persistent when it comes to creating public policy, and the most important part in doing so is to have community input. I will focus on public safety, health, economic sustainability, affordability, mental health, seniors, and environment protection.
My grandmother. She grew up during the depression and her endurance, fortitude and kindness continues to be my beacon of light.
An elected official needs to understand the concerns of his or her community. Every community is unique depending on the population, geography and many other factors. I believe that in order to address issues, you need to listen to residents’ concerns and ideas, whether it's road issues or social services issues. There are so many resources available to residents that their tax dollars pay for. We need to get that information to them, so they know that government is here to help. I worked with county departments to create new programs including the SAVE (School Active Violence Emergency) hotline I initiated after the Sandy Hook tragedy. The program provides a direct line to the police department's emergency 911 call center during school emergencies. In addition, I created resource guides for vets and seniors, and initiated websites for scam alerts, school bullying, local business support and addiction help services. Transparency, communication and the ability to implement a vision have been instrumental to my success as a former county legislator, and now I'm looking forward to using my legislative skills as a NYS Senator because there's so much to do!
Compassion, persistence, and vision.
Listen to your constituents and help them resolve their issues. Find common ground and move forward from there. Work toward raising the quality of life for your constituents.
A legacy that inspires people to do good for others and not give up easily.
Civil Rights Movement, 6 yrs old.
I was a Bank Teller during my senior year in high school as part of the DCT program.
Below the Ocean; Keeping Our Sea Friends Safe, I wrote the children's book to create awareness about ocean pollution.
Second Element By Blackmore's Nights
People mistaking my kindness for weakness.
Open communication and a willingness to work productively together.
Yes. Being a team player better advances the ball down the field, that ultimately provides a successful outcome and we all win.
Suffolk County Presiding Officer William Lindsay.
As I was walking in neighborhoods meeting residents, I noticed a small child in the distance in the road. I often find things, usually phones, purses, wallets, dogs, cats and now... a child. I asked my friend to drive in that direction, and sure enough there was a little boy enjoying the fallen leaves in the middle of the road. I was alarmed and quickly walked over to him asking if he knew where his house was. He looked at me shyly and didn't say a word. I swooped him up in my arms and brought him to the closest home. As I stood on the stoop, a young women ran out from the gated backyard yelling his name. I waved her down and she swiftly ran in my direction, thanking me. She said the backyard gate was accidentally left opened. The young mom was on the verge of tears but grateful her son was safe. She later emailed me thanking me for "not yelling at her". I told her, kids are always looking to explore and when I was 6, my 2-year-old sister escaped from our home and made it to our neighbor's house 5 blocks away. She, by the way, ended up in the Peace Corp 20 years later. The mom was surprised I did not get angry at her, and I was surprised she would even think that, having raised 3 children myself. I knew she was a loving mom and during a crisis and we should all be there for each other.
Who's on First by Abbott and Costello
The Legislature and Governor should unite on deciding when to use emergency powers.
I will work on legislation to overhaul Bail Reform, 50A and the Office of Cannabis Management.
Democratic Party, Common Sense Suffolk, Eleanor's Legacy, County Legislator Steve Englebright, Brookhaven Town Councilman Jonathan Kornreich, former Suffolk Legislator Bridget Flemming, Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker, Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore, Southampton Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni, East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, and the Suffolk County, Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, Southampton and East Hampton Democratic Parties.
Education, Finance, Aging, Children and Families, Health, Veterans, Commerce, Energy, and Environment
Financial transparency and government accountability are essential to our democracy.
Good. This will allow a better process for citizens to place a law on the ballot.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 10, 2024
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Sarah Anker," August 29, 2024
Leadership
Majority Leader:Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Minority Leader:Robert Ortt
Senators
Democratic Party (41)
Republican Party (22)
