Biography
Efrain González, Jr., a Democrat, was first elected to the New York Senate during a special election in 1989. As the representative of the 33rd Senate District in the Bronx, the revitalization of its residential, business and commercial districts has been the focus of his tenure in office. Inherent to this goal has been a concerted effort to: restore economic vitality; improve educational opportunities; expand affordable housing opportunities; ensure access to health care and the protection of the citizenry against crime and substance abuse.A native of Coamo, Puerto Rico, Senator González has resided in the Bronx since early infancy. His advocacy on behalf of working class men and women precipitated his political interest and remains a cornerstone of his legislative initiatives. At age twenty, he was elected as a Representative for the Transport Workers Union and subsequently to represent Local 820, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Senator González supports work force and business partnerships as essential to successful economic development. As Chair of both the New York State Senate Democratic Task Force on International Trade Development and the New York/Cuban Economic Development Task Force, he has explored and engaged the untapped Caribbean and Latin American marketplace. The senator looks to the Caribbean and Latin American markets as potential contributors to the economic growth of all New York State based businesses and communities, giving them an entry into the global market.Concurrently, Senator González continues to seek global market investment in Bronx County and has successfully attracted private sector reinvestment in the wholesale food industry. As a result, major job opportunities have been created in Bronx County. Furthermore, Senator González is invested in ensuring that inner city areas are not marginalized by industries that are essential to their economic well-being. He continues to work with the insurance industry and financial institutions to secure reinvestment in economically challenged neighborhoods in Bronx County and has forged an alliance with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to commit resources to their revitalization and growth. Senator González has introduced legislation to: stop identity theft; secure the rights of check cashing businesses to operate and provide interpreters for administrative proceedings to individuals with limited or no English language skills. Senator González sponsored key legislation which resulted in the creation of the Office of Minority Health to address the needs of AIDS afflicted individuals and other critical health care issues that predominantly affect low-income and minority residents of the state. He also sponsored the Security Guard Act which was enacted to ensure the accountability of personnel practices in the industry. Currently, Senator González heads the Conference Task Force for Economic Development and serves as one of the founding members and President Emeritus of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), a membership entity consisting of over 350 elected state legislators. In cooperation with his colleagues, the senator has been instrumental in the creation of an inclusive national agenda for all Hispanics specifically targeting education, health, housing and economic development. Standing Committee Assignments 2007:Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business (Ranking Minority); Banks; Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; Energy and Telecommunications; Finance; Health; Labor.VOTE IN 2006 GENERAL ELECTION
Efrain Gonzalez, Jr., Dem. 23,304 Ernest Kebreau, Con 734