Brian Barnwell
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 30th district
In office
January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2022
Preceded byMargaret Markey
Succeeded bySteven Raga
Personal details
Born (1986-04-24) April 24, 1986
New York, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Woodside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
EducationArizona State University (BA)
Albany Law School (JD)
ProfessionAttorney, politician
WebsiteAssembly website

Brian Barnwell is an American lawyer and politician, who served as a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly.[1] Since January 2017 until December 2022, he has represented Assembly District 30 in Queens; the district includes Maspeth, Woodside, Middle Village, and portions of Astoria, Sunnyside, Elmhurst, Rego Park and Long Island City.

Early life, education, and family

Born in New York City on April 24, 1986, Brian Barnwell has been a longtime Woodside resident. He comes from a middle-class family of law enforcement officers, nurses and teachers. Barnwell graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He went on to earn his J.D. degree from Albany Law School.

During his time in law school, Barnwell worked for the Albany County District Attorney's Office and for the Albany Law School Civil Rights and Disabilities Law Clinic.

Career

After graduating from law school, Barnwell went into private practice and practiced general law. Barnwell then worked as an aide in Queens City Council Member Costa Constantinides’s office.[2] Barnwell first announced in July 2015 that he would seek the District 30 seat in the Assembly; at the time, he was a political newcomer.[3] Incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Margaret Markey had been elected to the seat nine times.

In the September 2016 Democratic primary, Barnwell defeated Markey 1,710 votes to 1,082.[4] One report on the election result stated that "[this] might be one of the biggest political upsets Queens has ever seen."[5] After defeating Republican candidate Tony Nunziato by a large margin in the November 2016 general election,[1] Barnwell took office in January 2017.

In the summer of 2018, Barnwell was named to City & State's "Albany 40 Under 40"[6] He joins other "figures crafting groundbreaking legislation, shaping public opinion and driving the news cycle."

New York State Assembly

Since his time in office, Barnwell has introduced legislation that provides tax relief for seniors and the middle class. Barnwell also drafted legislation to attempt to reform the affordable housing formula, and proposed bills that would allow for tougher sentencing on violent felons.[7] Barnwell has also pushed a bill that would outlaw the sale of puppies by "puppy mills."[8] Barnwell has been the primary sponsor on many other pieces of legislation. He has worked to create bills that hold the government accountable and promote citizen well-being.[9]

Barnwell is the chair of the Subcommittee on Emerging Workforce within the New York State Assembly. Barnwell also serves as a member of the Committee on Aging, the Committee on Banks, the Committee on Children and Families, the Committee on Labor, the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, the Committee on Real Property Taxation, the Asian Pacific American Task Force, and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.[10]

Electoral history

New York State Assembly, District 30 Democratic Primary Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Barnwell 5,675 64.3
Democratic Melissa Sklarz 3,149 35.7
Total votes 8,824 100.0
New York State Assembly, District 30 General Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Barnwell 21,082 75.9
Republican Eric Butkiewicz 6,644 23.9
Total votes 27,779 100.0
New York State Assembly, District 30 Democratic Primary Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Barnwell 1,710 61.25
Democratic Margaret Markey (incumbent) 1,082 38.75
Total votes 2,792 100.0
New York State Assembly, District 30 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Barnwell 24,452 67.93
Republican Anthony P. Nunziato 11,542 32.07
Total votes 35,994 100.0

References

  1. 1 2 McGowan, Clodagh (November 9, 2016). "Newcomer Brian Barnwell Claims 30th Assembly District Seat". ny1.com. Spectrum News NY1. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  2. ↑ Silberstein, Rachel (May 12, 2017). "Adjusting to Albany: Assemblymember Brian Barnwell". GothamGazette.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  3. ↑ Altamirano, Angy (July 28, 2015). "Woodside resident to seek Assembly seat and 'fight for the middle class'". qns.com. Queens Courier. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  4. ↑ http://vote.nyc.ny.us/downloads/pdf/election_results/2016/20160913Primary%20Election/01402300030Queens%20Democratic%20Member%20of%20the%20Assembly%2030th%20Assembly%20District%20Recap.pdf
  5. ↑ Pozarycki, Robert (September 13, 2016). "Incumbent Assemblywoman Markey loses Democratic primary in a stunning upset". qns.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  6. ↑ "City & State: The 2018 Albany 40 Under 40". August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  7. ↑ Barnwell, Brian (February 8, 2017). "Proposals To Protect Seniors, Middle Class, Crime Victims". Queens Gazette. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  8. ↑ Cronin, Joe (January 19, 2017). "New Queens Pols: Transportation and Affordable Housing Top Priorities". Queens Tribune. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  9. ↑ "New York State Assembly – Brian Barnwell". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  10. ↑ "New York State Assembly – Brian Barnwell". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
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