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.[2] Seward was first elected to represent the 50th District in 1986.[3] 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.[4]
James Seward | |
|---|---|
 Seward in 2019 | |
| Member of the New York Senate from the 51st district | |
| In office January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas W. Libous |
| Succeeded by | Peter Oberacker |
| Member of the New York Senate from the 50th district | |
| In office January 1, 1987 – December 31, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Lloyd Stephen Riford Jr. |
| Succeeded by | John DeFrancisco |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 11, 1951[1] Oneonta, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 27, 2024 (aged 72) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Cynthia Seward |
| Children | Ryan and Lauren |
| Residence | Milford, New York |
| Alma mater | Hartwick College (B.A.) |
| Website | State Senate Site |
Early life and career
editSeward was born in Oneonta, New York,[1] 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.[5][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.[5] The Sewards had two grown children, Ryan and Lauren.[6]
State Senate career
editSeward 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.[5]
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.[5]
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.[3] In January 2020, he announced that he would not seek re-election.[4]
Death
editSeward died from cancer on July 27, 2024, at the age of 72.[9][1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Sen. James Seward (R-New York) biography". ny.ala.capwiz.com. New York Library Association. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ PUBLISHED January 20, 2020 (September 18, 2017). "Seward Won't Seek Re-Election". Spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "New York State Senator Seward Battles Cancer Again". Wnbf.com. November 7, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "State Sen. James Seward not seeking re-election; District includes Schoharie County | the Daily Gazette". January 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Senator James L. Seward". Retrieved April 29, 2017.
- ^ a b "Biography". www.senatorjimseward.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ Majority Support Evaded State Senate's Gay Marriage Bill - NY1.com Archived February 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "WKTV News". Retrieved April 29, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Staff WBNG (July 27, 2024). "Former New York State Senator James L. Seward dies at 72". wbng.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
External links
edit- New York State Senate: James L. Seward Seward's New York State Senate site
- James L. Seward Sewards's personal senate site
- Appearances on C-SPAN