Michael G. Miller (born December 12, 1960)[3] is an American politician and a Democratic former member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 38th Assembly District, which includes the Queens neighborhoods of Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and Glendale.[2]
Michael G. Miller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 38th district | |
| In office September 15, 2009 – December 31, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Seminerio |
| Succeeded by | Jenifer Rajkumar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 12, 1960 Brooklyn, New York[1] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Glendale, Queens[2] |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Committees | Aging, Banks, Labor, Racing and Wagering, Veterans' Affairs |
| Website | Official website |
He has lived in Glendale for 40 years. Miller is a graduate of Archbishop Molloy High School and attended Queens College and the CUNA Management School at the University of Georgia. He was branch manager of the Tiger Federal Credit Union. He also served as member of Queens Community Board 5.[2]
Miller has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 2009, when he won a special election[2] held after the resignation of former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio.[3] Miller won the subsequent 2010 general election with 69 percent of the vote.[4][5] Miller was defeated by Jenifer Rajkumar in the June 2020 Democratic primary.[6]
Early life and career
editMiller was born to an Italian mother and German father, both first generation immigrants.
New York State Assembly
editSame sex marriage
editOn December 2, 2009, Miller sided with the conservative minority, by voting against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.[7] Miller voted against a similar bill that became the Marriage Equality Act in 2011.[8]
Controversy
editAppointment
editIn New York, candidates for special election are nominated by the party's county executive's selection. Miller's party nomination was met with a lawsuit filed by fellow Democrats.[9] His nomination was seen by some as a back room deal.[10][11] Al Baldeo, who claims he was promised the nomination by Congressman Gregory Meeks, State Senators John Sampson and Malcolm Smith, argued that the selection process was undemocratic.[9] Farouk Samaroo argued that the selection process was to prevent an Indian-American on the ballot.[9]
Disclosure
editThe New York Daily News reported that Miller was among the Assemblymen that refuse to disclose his outside income.[12] This came 14 weeks after the state legislature publicly supported and approved a bill requiring them to disclose their outside income.[13] The bill that was vetoed by Governor David Paterson.
Harassment Investigation and Sanctions
editMiller became the subject of a 2019 internal investigation by the Assembly Ethics Committee stemming from a harassment complaint filed by a female staffer. The committee found evidence of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct, though the review did not "support a finding that Miller engaged in harassment and/or discrimination."[14] The investigation came to light in June 2020 when it was revealed that the committee's investigator uncovered multiple instances in which Miller discussed the case with outside parties in breach of confidentiality and with what the committee determined as having the "effect of intimidating potential witnesses." In August 2020, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced that he would formally sanction Miller for these actions, following the committee's recommendation.[15][16]
Election results
edit- September 2009 special election, NYS Assembly, 38th AD[17]
- November 2010 general election, NYS Assembly, 38th AD[18]
References
edit- ^ "State Assembly: Michael Miller (D-W-I), District 38". Capitol Info. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Assembly District 38, Michael Miller: Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ a b Fogarty, Lisa (July 30, 2009). "Assembly a full-time job for Mike Miller". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
48-year-old
- ^ "Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2010. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012.
- ^ "Assembly Election Returns: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2013.
- ^ Parrott, M. (23 June 2020)"More insurgents claim primary wins". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ "A40003 Vote Tally". New York State Assembly. December 2, 2009. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
- ^ "Gay marriage one step closer in NY". Queens Courier. June 16, 2011. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
- ^ a b c Katz, Celeste (August 16, 2010). "The Daily Politics blog". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009.
- ^ Benjamin, Elizabeth (July 27, 2009). "Baldeo Makes A de Blasio Argument". New York Daily News.
- ^ Jacoby, Dan (August 14, 2009). "AD38 Special Election is On – Again". Daily Gotham. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2010.
- ^ "New York State pols who won't reveal outside income". New York Daily News. May 25, 2010.
- ^ Blain, Glenn; Gearty, Robert (May 25, 2010). "Sheldon Silver, Malcolm Smith among many New York City pols who won't reveal outside income". New York Daily News.
- ^ Simon, Jo Anne. August 6, 2020 (Report). New York State Assembly Committee on Ethics and Guidance. p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ Slattery, Denis (August 6, 2020). "'Inappropriate and unprofessional': Queens rep Michael Miller is sanctioned for conduct during harassment probe".
- ^ "Speaker Carl Heastie Implements Sanctions Against Assemblymember Michael Miller" (Press release). Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie. New York State Assembly. August 6, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ "Special Election Results, 38th Assembly District: September 15, 2017" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. October 6, 2009.
- ^ "General Election Results, State Assembly: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2013.