James L. Seward (New York politician) explained

James Seward
State Senate:New York
District:51st
Term Start:January 1, 2003
Term End:December 31, 2020
Preceded:Thomas W. Libous
Succeeded:Peter Oberacker
State Senate2:New York
District2:50th
Term Start2:January 1, 1987
Term End2:December 31, 2002
Preceded2:Lloyd Stephen Riford Jr.
Succeeded2:John DeFrancisco
Birth Place:Oneonta, New York, U.S.
Nationality:American
Party:Republican
Spouse:Cynthia Seward
Children:Ryan and Lauren
Residence:Milford, New York
Alma Mater:Hartwick College (B.A.)
Website:State Senate Site

James L. Seward (August 11, 1951 – July 27, 2024) was an American politician who was a Republican New York State Senator from 1987 to 2020.[1] Seward was first elected to represent the 50th District in 1986.[2] In his final term he represented the 51st District, which consists of Schoharie, Otsego, and Cortland Counties, as well as parts of Tompkins, Herkimer, Chenango, Cayuga, Delaware, and Ulster Counties.[3]

Early life and career

Seward was born in Oneonta, New York,[4] and attended Oneonta public schools. He went on to Hartwick College in Oneonta and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.[5] He also studied at the Nelson Rockefeller Institute of SUNY Albany.[6]

Seward served as a Milford town justice and as chairman of the Otsego County Republican Committee. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1976, 1980, and 1988, and was also an alternate delegate in 1996. Seward and his wife Cynthia (née Milavec) resided in Milford, New York. The Sewards had two grown children, Ryan and Lauren.

State Senate career

Seward was elected to the state senate in 1986 and was appointed chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. In 1999, Seward became chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance.

In 2007, Seward was asked by former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to assume a post in the senate leadership team as majority whip. In 2011, Senator Republican Leader Dean G. Skelos asked him to assume the position of assistant majority leader on conference operations.

Seward voted against a same-sex marriage bill on December 2, 2009; the bill was defeated.[7] He voted against legislation allowing same-sex marriage in New York again in 2011, but the bill was passed in a narrow 33–29 vote.[8]

In November 2019, Seward announced that he was being treated for a recurrence of bladder cancer.[2] In January 2020, he announced that he would not seek re-election.[3]

Death

Seward died from cancer on July 27, 2024, at the age of 72.[9] [4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PUBLISHED January 20, 2020 . Seward Won't Seek Re-Election . Spectrumlocalnews.com . September 18, 2017 . January 21, 2020.
  2. Web site: New York State Senator Seward Battles Cancer Again . Wnbf.com . January 21, 2020.
  3. Web site: State Sen. James Seward not seeking re-election; District includes Schoharie County | the Daily Gazette.
  4. Web site: Sen. James Seward (R-New York) biography . ny.ala.capwiz.com . New York Library Association . June 11, 2009.
  5. Web site: Senator James L. Seward. April 29, 2017.
  6. Web site: Biography . www.senatorjimseward.com . June 11, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081207001815/http://www.senatorjimseward.com/51/biography.aspx . December 7, 2008 .
  7. http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/politics/108803/survey Majority Support Evaded State Senate's Gay Marriage Bill - NY1.com
  8. Web site: WKTV News. April 29, 2017.
  9. Web site: Staff WBNG . Former New York State Senator James L. Seward dies at 72 . wbng.com . July 27, 2024 . July 27, 2024.