Scott Stringer

Scott M. Stringer (born April 29, 1960) is an American politician who served as the 44th New York City Comptroller. A Democrat, Stringer also previously served as a New York State Assemblyman, and as the 26th borough president of Manhattan.^[1][2]

Scott Stringer
44th New York City Comptroller
In office January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021
Preceded by	John Liu
Succeeded by	Brad Lander
26th Borough President of Manhattan
In office January 1, 2006 – December 31, 2013
Preceded by	C. Virginia Fields
Succeeded by	Gale Brewer
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 67th district
In office January 1, 1993 – December 31, 2005
Preceded by	Jerry Nadler
Succeeded by	Linda Rosenthal
Personal details
Born	April 29, 1960 (1960-04-29) (age 62) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elyse Buxbaum ​ (m. 2010)​
Children	2
Relatives	Arlene Stringer-Cuevas (mother) Bella Abzug (cousin)
Education	John Jay College of Criminal Justice (BA)

In 1983, Stringer became a legislative assistant to New York State Assemblyman and future United States Congressman Jerry Nadler. In 1992, he successfully ran for a seat in the New York State Assembly vacated by Nadler, covering the Upper West Side. Stringer served as New York State Assemblyman for 13 years and six terms, from 1992 until 2005, when he was elected the 26th borough president of Manhattan. He won the 2013 election to become New York City's 44th comptroller, and began serving on January 1, 2014.

Stringer was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary.^[3]

Early life and education

Stringer is Jewish, and was born and raised in Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan.^[4][5] His mother, Arlene Stringer-Cuevas, was a cousin of former U.S. Representative Bella Abzug, and served on the New York City Council before working in the New York City Human Resources Administration.^[6][7][8] His father, Ronald, was counsel to former New York City Mayor Abe Beame.^[6][9] His stepfather, Carlos Cuevas, was at one time the New York City clerk and a Deputy Borough President in the Bronx.^[6]

Stringer attended Manhattan public schools, including PS 152, JHS 52, and John F. Kennedy High School (where he was editor of the school newspaper). When Stringer was still in high school at age 16, then-Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton named Stringer to the Community Planning Board.^[9][10] Stringer graduated from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Bachelor of Arts in Government Studies in 1986.^{[11][12][13][14]}

He has distant roots from Russia and Ireland, he has said, and his great-grandfather was from Poland.^[15]

Career

In 1983, he became a legislative assistant to New York State Assemblyman, and future Congressman, Jerry Nadler. During these years, he supported Democratic candidate Governor Mario Cuomo.

New York State Assembly

In 1992, Stringer ran for and won Nadler's New York State Assembly seat representing the Upper West Side, when Nadler replaced deceased Congressman Ted Weiss. Stringer served for 13 years and six terms in the New York State Assembly, from 1992 until 2005. During his Assembly career, Stringer served as Chairman of the Cities Committee, Chairman of the Real Property Taxation Committee, and Chairman of the Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee. He led the fight to end empty seat voting and reform the State Assembly's rules of operation. He authored anti-stalking legislation and was an advocate of affordable housing, and good government reform.

In 1999, Stringer was arrested at a police brutality protest outside 1 Police Plaza following the shooting of Amadou Diallo.^[16] Later that year, Stringer organized a counter-rally to a Ku Klux Klan march.^[16]

On August 28, 2001, Village Voice political writer Wayne Barrett wrote a piece entitled, "Mother Dearest & the Courthouse Cabal," in which he discussed Stringer's involvement in courtroom politics, specifically questioning how Stringer's parents had benefited financially from his political ties, and whether some of his campaign contributors had done unethical things.^[vague] Barrett also raised questions about whether acting Supreme Court judge Louis York had attempted to gain Stringer's support in his bid for a full term on the court by appointing Stringer's mother nine times as a court evaluator and conservator.^[17] In 2001, while a member of the Assembly, Stringer explored a run for New York City Public Advocate.

Manhattan Borough President

 

Stringer in 2011

In 2005, he entered the race to succeed C. Virginia Fields as Manhattan Borough President. His candidacy was endorsed by The New York Times. In September 2005, he won the Democratic primary against 9 other candidates and was later elected in the November general election. He took office as Borough President on January 1, 2006.

Stringer issued over 40 policy reports designed to raise awareness about local issues and improve New York City. These reports have led the charge in addressing many of Manhattan's most important challenges and issues, including: increasing community input and response to development and planning projects across the borough; introducing comprehensive reform and empowerment measures to Manhattan's Community Boards; leading the fight to maintain^[18] and create^[19] new affordable housing units^[20] and schools ^[21] across the borough; empowering^[22] parents^[23] to better participate in the public school system; investigating and recommending policy action on the city's many transportation issues;^[24] and helping working families^[25] and small businesses^[26] access resources to become and remain self-sufficient.

Food policy

In November 2008 and December 2009 as Borough President, he hosted day-long conferences on the subject of progressive food policy. For the second conference, attended by 1,000 New Yorkers, he joined with New York University and the not-for-profit Just Food to address the impact of food on the health of New York City's people and their environment. He released several policy reports on food policy, including "Food in the Public Interest",^[27] "FoodStat",^[28] and "Red Tape, Green Vegetables".^[29]

Bike lanes

Throughout his tenure as Borough President, Stringer supported new transportation initiatives such as bike lanes.^[30] After numerous constituent complaints, in 2010 he undertook a survey, "Respect the Lane – Clear the Path", a policy report analyzing bike lane safety in Manhattan. During the course of the three-day survey, a total of 1,700 infractions were witnessed.^[31] The survey found that while bike lanes have a tremendous positive impact on New York City, the lanes were being misused by all parties; pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. Working with community leaders, elected officials, local businesses, and local residents, Stringer worked to raise awareness about bike lane safety, and recommended an "increase in protected bicycle lanes, which are separated from traffic by a physical barrier and stepped-up patrol by traffic enforcement agents to ticket scofflaws, along with better signage," among other ideas.^[24][30]

Hydraulic fracturing

Stringer led the fight in New York City against hydraulic fracturing in New York State.^[32] Stringer hosted many Manhattan Community Boards to discuss the potential problems associated with "fracking", such as contamination to the water supply.^[32] Stringer also released a policy report in 2009, Uncalculated Risk: How Plans to Drill for Gas in Upstate New York could threaten New York City's Water System, a report highlighting the impacts of "fracking".^[33]

2009 re-election

On November 6, 2008, Stringer announced his decision to seek re-election as Manhattan Borough President.^[34] His Republican opponent, David Casavis, a history professor and foreign affairs writer/commentator, got 16% of the vote^[35] on a platform to abolish the office.^[36] In an October 5, 2009 article in City Limits, Stringer dismissed calls by Casavis and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to eliminate his office: "There are people who are going to call for the elimination of the public advocate office, borough president, the City Council. There are people who believe that we should have a king system here," says Stringer. "Borough presidents are part of a new era and a different kind of government. It has real responsibilities and it gives you a large footprint on the issues you get involved with. It's up to the individual to take advantage of that, that you might have an impact."^[37]

United States Senate consideration

In Spring 2009, Stringer considered a primary challenge to incumbent U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.^[38] However, he announced in May 2009 that he would not run. In his statement he said: "In light of President Obama's clear desire to avoid a Democratic primary in New York State, I have decided to focus on my re-election race for Manhattan Borough President and to suspend my exploratory committee and fund-raising efforts for the 2010 Senate race. I firmly believe that innovative thinking on issues like education and the urban environment must be joined with bedrock Democratic values on gun control and immigration if New York's interests are to be effectively represented in Washington."^[39]

New York City Comptroller

2013 election

Further information: 2013 New York City Comptroller election

Stringer was the Democratic nominee for New York City Comptroller in the 2013 election. He defeated former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer in the Democratic primary.^[40]

Stringer was considered one of several contenders for the 2013 New York City Mayoral primary before he announced in mid-November 2012 that he would instead run for city comptroller in the 2013 election.^[41] His campaign team included spokesperson Audrey Gelman,^[42] advertising agency GMMB,^[43] and pollster Mark Mellman.^[44] Stringer was challenged by former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer in the Democratic party primary.^[45] Stringer, originally thought to have the lead unopposed, trailed Spitzer in the polls until late August, when he took a two-point lead.^[46][47][48] Stringer defeated Spitzer in the September 10 primary 52%–48%.^[49] In the days prior to the Democratic primary, several media outlets published a piece describing Stringer's vote against legislation that stripped NAMBLA of its tax-exempt status.^[50]

Tenure

In 2014, Stringer criticized the health department's response to complaints about rats in New York City as "weak", because they failed in their oversight and their inability to follow their own procedures.^[51]

In November 2014, Comptroller Stringer announced an initiative, on behalf of the $160 billion New York City Pension Funds, to give long-term shareholders the right to nominate their own directors at 75 U.S. companies.^[52] The "proxy access" initiative, known as the Boardroom Accountability Project, requests that these companies change their bylaws to allow shareholders who meet a threshold of owning three percent of a company for three or more years the right to list their director candidates, representing up to 25 percent of the board, on a given company's proxy. Proxy access is the ability for shareowners to nominate directors to run against a company's chosen slate of director candidates on the corporate ballot. The 75 proposals were filed based on three priority issues: climate change, board diversity and excessive CEO pay. Stringer called proxy access "the defining issue for the 2015 proxy season".^[53]

2017 election

In 2017, there was no Democratic primary for the position with Stringer defeating Republican Michel Faulkner in the general election.^[54]

2021 mayoral candidacy

Main article: 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary

On September 8, 2020, Stringer formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City. He was endorsed by a number of progressive politicians shortly after his announcement, such as Jerry Nadler, Adriano Espaillat, Jamaal Bowman, Alessandra Biaggi, Julia Salazar, Yuh-Line Niou, Jessica Ramos, and others. At his announcement, he criticized incumbent Mayor de Blasio saying: "We never closed the book on a tale of two cities. If anything over the last eight years, we've written more chapters."^[55][56][57]

In late April 2021, a woman accused Stringer of sexual misconduct when she volunteered on his 2001 Public Advocate campaign. Despite the loss of some supporters, Stringer maintained his bid in the mayoral race.^[58] Following the accusations, Stringer lagged behind Andrew Yang and Eric Adams in the polls. A second woman accused him of sexual misconduct in June 2021.^[59]

Stringer finished in fifth place with 5.0% of the vote.^[60]

Personal life

On September 3, 2010, Stringer married Elyse Buxbaum, an arts administrator at the time, who is the deputy director of development at The Jewish Museum.^[6] The couple chose to receive a marriage license in Connecticut as a statement of solidarity with LGBT couples who had not yet been given the right to marry in New York State.^[61] They have two sons, Max and Miles.^[6]

References

1. "Borough President Scott M. Stringer". Office of Manhattan Borough President. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
2. "Scott M. Stringer (NY)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
3. "Comptroller Scott Stringer announces 2021 run for NYC mayor". AP NEWS. September 8, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
4. Cantor, Andrea (January 26, 2017). "New York City Comptroller Links Jewish, Muslim Fates". The Forward. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
5. "The Honorable Scott Stringer". New America Alliance. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
6. "Scott Stringer, millennial for mayor". Cityandstateny.com. July 15, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
7. Farrell, William E. (October 2, 1972). "Mrs. Abzug Wins Party Approval to Succeed Ryan". New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
8. "Mrs. Stringer Beats 3 Rivals In a Manhattan Council Race". September 15, 1976.
9. "Also running: Scott Stringer, the other Manhattan candidate for mayor". Politico. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
10. "Sutton Names Two Teen‐Agers To Community Planning Boards". The New York Times. January 11, 1977. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
11. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
12. "Also running: Scott Stringer, the other Manhattan candidate for mayor". Politico. October 3, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
13. "Candidate - Scott Stringer". Our Campaigns. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
14. Webber, David H. (2018). The Rise of the Working-Class Shareholder: Labor's Last Best Weapon. Harvard University Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-674-91946-4. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
15. "Scott Stringer: "Mam polskie korzenie"". Retrieved September 13, 2017.
16. "Ten Tests of Scott Stringer's Soul". May 26, 2021.
17. Barrett, Wayne (August 28, 2001). "New York News - Mother Dearest & the Courthouse Cabal". The Village Voice. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
18. "Dangerous Neglect" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
19. "Still Crowded Out" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
20. "Land Rich, Pocket Poor" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
21. "School Narratives" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
22. "A New Day" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
23. "Parents Dismissed" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
24. "BOROUGH PRESIDENT SCOTT M. STRINGER RELEASES UNPRECEDENTED REPORT ON BIKE LANE INFRACTIONS". Manhattan Borough President's Office.
25. "A WORKING BALANCE: Supporting New York City's Families Through Paid Family Leave" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
26. "SAVING THE MOM AND POPS: TEN WAYS TO SUPPORT SMALL INDEPENDENT RETAIL STORES AND KEEP MANHATTAN VIBRANT". Manhattan Borough President's Office.
27. Stringer, Scott M. (February 2009). (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2013.
28. Stringer, Scott M. (May 2009). (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2013.
29. Stringer, Scott M. (April 2011). (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
30. Grynbaum, Michael M. (October 11, 2010). "Stringer Calls for an NYPD Bike Lane Enforcement Unit". New York Times. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
31. Del Signore, John (October 8, 2010). . Gothamist. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
32. . DNAinfo. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010.
33. "Uncalculated Risk: How Plans to Drill for Gas in Upstate New York could threaten New York City's Water System" (PDF). Manhattan Borough President's Office.
34. Hicks, Jonathan P. (November 6, 2008). "Stringer Will Seek Re-election in Manhattan". New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
35. . New York Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
36. . Nypress.com. March 30, 2009. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
37. "Boro Presidents' Fight Extends Beyond Election". City Limits. October 5, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
38. Hernandez, Raymond (April 16, 2009). "Stringer Exploring Run for the Senate". New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
39. Chan, Sewell (May 19, 2009). "Stringer Won't Challenge Gillibrand in Primary". New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
40. Taylor, Kate (September 10, 2013). "Stringer Defeats Spitzer in Comptroller Primary". The New York Times.
41. Engquist, Erik (November 18, 2012). "Stringer to run for comptroller in 2013". Crain's. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
42. "How Audrey Gelman Changed The Face Of NYC Politics". refinery29.com. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
43. "GMMB Congratulates NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer". gmmb.com. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
44. Mellman, Mark (September 17, 2013). "Opinion:Polling the Right People Matters". The Hill. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
45. Dover, Sara (July 7, 2013). "Disgraced ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer re-enters politics in NYC comptroller bid". CBS News.
46. Resnick, Gideon. "Two Polls Find Eliot Spitzer Ahead in Comptroller's Race". Politicker. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
47. Liptak, Kevin (July 25, 2013). "Polls tell different stories in Spitzer's comeback bid". CNN. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
48. "Stringer On Top Of Too-Close-To-Call Comptroller Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Big Racial Gap, But No Gender Gap" (Press release). Quinnipiac University. September 4, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
49. "The Comptroller Primary". The New York Times. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
50. "Scott Stringer Once Voted to Keep NAMBLA Tax-Exempt". New York Magazine. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
51. "NYC's rats are crawling with diseases: study - New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV". New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV. October 15, 2014.
52. "COMPTROLLER STRINGER, NYC PENSION FUNDS LAUNCH NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO GIVE SHAREOWNERS A TRUE VOICE IN HOW CORPORATE BOARDS ARE ELECTED". New York City Comptroller's Office.
53. "Proxy Access... Or Not" (PDF). Proxy Monthly.
54. Max, Ben. "2017 New York City Primary Election Results". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
55. Anuta, Joe; Goldenberg, Sally. "Comptroller Scott Stringer officially jumps in to New York City mayor's race". Politico PRO. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
56. . stringerformayor.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021.
57. "Rep. Nadler, Manhattan politicians to endorse Stringer for mayor". New York Daily News.
58. Durkin, Erin. "Stringer vows to press on after losing supporters in NYC mayoral race". Politico Pro. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
59. Glueck, Katie. "Scott Stringer Is Accused of Sexual Misconduct by 2nd Woman". The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
60. "Citywide Recap by Boroughs and Parties - All Ballot Types: Primary Election 2021 – 06/22/2021" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
61. "Elyse Buxbaum and Scott Stringer". New York Times. September 5, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2020.

Bibliography

• Paterson, David (2020). Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity. New York.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scott Stringer.

• Official New York City Comptroller Website
• Scott Stringer for NYC Comptroller
• Appearances on C-SPAN  

Political offices
Preceded by John Liu	New York City Comptroller January 1, 2014–December 31, 2021	Succeeded by Brad Lander
Preceded by C. Virginia Fields	Borough President of Manhattan January 1, 2006–December 31, 2013	Succeeded by Gale Brewer
New York State Assembly
Preceded by Jerrold Nadler	Member of the New York State Assembly from the 67th district January 1, 1993–December 31, 2005	Succeeded by Linda Rosenthal