William A. Barclay Explained

Will Barclay
Office:Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly
Term Start:January 7, 2020
Predecessor:Brian Kolb
State Assembly1:New York
District1:120th
Term Start1:January 1, 2003
Predecessor1:Bob Warner
Birth Name:William Anson Barclay
Birth Date:5 January 1969
Birth Place:Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Margaret
Children:2
Relatives:Hugh Douglas Barclay (father)
Education:St. Lawrence University (BA)
Syracuse University (JD)
Signature:Will Barclay Signature.png

William Anson Barclay[1] (born January 5, 1969) is an American politician and attorney from the State of New York. A Republican, he has served in the New York State Assembly since 2003. In January 2020, Barclay was elected to the position of Assembly Minority Leader.

Early life, education, family, and law practice

Barclay was born in Syracuse, New York. He earned his B.A. from St. Lawrence University in 1992 and his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1995.[2] After graduating from law school he served as a clerk for Roger Miner, a judge in the United States Court of Appeals Second Circuit, in both Albany and New York City.

Barclay is a partner in the law firm of Barclay Damon.[3] His father is Hugh Douglas Barclay, a former U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador and a former chair of the Republican Conference in the New York State Senate.[2]

As of January 2020, Barclay and his wife Margaret are the parents of two sons, Harry and George. Nine generations of Barclays have resided in Pulaski, New York.[2]

Political career

Barclay was first elected to the State Assembly on November 5, 2002, defeating Democrat E. Clyde Ohl by a margin of 21,848 to 14,594.[4] He took office in 2003.[5] Barclay won the November 2008 general election with 67 percent of the vote[6] [7] and ran uncontested in the November 2010 and 2012 general elections.[8] [9] [10] A Republican, Barclay represents the 120th District in the New York State Assembly. As of 2020, the 120th district includes Oswego, New York and portions of Onondaga, Jefferson and Oswego counties.

On December 14, 2007, Barclay announced his candidacy for New York State Senate in New York's 48th Senate district.[11] [4] He sought to replace former Senator Jim Wright, who stepped down. Barclay lost the election to Democratic Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine on February 27, 2008.[12]

On January 7, 2020, Barclay was unanimously elected to the post of Assembly Minority Leader by his Republican colleagues[2] following the resignation of Brian Kolb.[3] He previously served as Deputy Minority Leader, as chair of the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, and as ranking member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.[13] [14]

On August 31, 2020, during an interview with Susan Arbetter on Spectrum News' Capital Tonight, an Albany-based political insider television program, Barclay would not say if he believed in anthropogenic climate change. Barclay also claimed that natural gas "had gotten a bad rap," and said that if climate change was responsible for Hurricane Sandy, "we can't say climate change is responsible for a really cold winter."[15]

On October 26, 2022, the Albany-based statewide environmental 501(c)(4) non-profit Environmental Advocates Action,[16] formed in 1969 as one of the first organizations in the nation to advocate for the future of a state's environment and the health of its citizens, released its annual Environmental Scorecard[16] and gave Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay its 2022 "Oil Slick Award," which symbolizes his disregard for the environment (based upon his environmental votes). His consistent anti-environmental ethos is well documented, and not "opinion." Environmental Advocates Action's sister organization is Environmental Advocates NY, which is the New York State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.[17]

References

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: US. Index to Public Records. 2021-04-07. www.ancestry.com.
  2. Web site: Meet Will Barclay, NY Assembly's new Republican leader. January 7, 2020. newyorkupstate.
  3. Web site: Will Barclay elected Assembly minority leader after Brian Kolb steps down. Jon. Campbell. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. January 7, 2020.
  4. Web site: Will Barclay: Republican had his party's nomination sewn up within days. February 21, 2008. Syracuse.com. McChesney. Charles.
  5. Web site: Barclay wins 9th term in state Assembly. Matthew. Reitz. Oswego County News Now. November 7, 2008.
  6. Web site: Election Results 2008: New York State Legislature . . 2008.
  7. Web site: Assembly Election Returns: November 4, 2008 . . 2008.
  8. Web site: Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature . . 2010.
  9. Web site: Assembly Election Returns: November 2, 2010 . . 2010 . July 24, 2012 . December 18, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131218082901/http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2010/general/2010Assembly.pdf . dead .
  10. Web site: 2012 Election results: How Syracuse and Central New York voted. November 8, 2012. Syracuse.com.
  11. Web site: Barclay declares for Wright's Senate seat. https://web.archive.org/web/20080217232729/http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1197626690261060.xml&coll=1. dead. February 17, 2008. Syracuse.com. February 17, 2008. McChesney. Charles.
  12. News: Upset Sends Democrat to Albany. Trymaine. Lee. The New York Times . February 27, 2008. NYTimes.com.
  13. Web site: New York State Assembly Republicans to Pick New Leader After Kolb Steps Aside. Jimmy. Vielkind. WSJ. January 5, 2020.
  14. Web site: Barclay in line for Assembly leadership post after Kolb's exit. January 6, 2020. Times Union. Lyons. Brendan.
  15. Web site: How COVID-19 Could Make Fighting Climate Change in New York Tougher . 2023-12-27 . spectrumlocalnews.com . en.
  16. Web site: Environmental Advocates Action Publishes NYS Environmental Scorecard . 2022-11-01 . Environmental Advocates Action . en-US.
  17. Web site: National Wildlife Federation . 2022-11-01 . National Wildlife Federation . en.