Peter Vallone Sr.
| Peter Vallone | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the New York City Council | |
|
In office January 1, 1990 – December 31, | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Gifford Miller |
| Majority Leader of the New York City Council | |
|
In office January 1, 1986 – December 31, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Cuite |
| Succeeded by | Joel Rivera |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 22nd district | |
|
In office January 1, 1992 – December 31, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Katzman |
| Succeeded by | Peter Vallone Jr. |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 20th district | |
|
In office January 1, 1974 – December 31, 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Cuite |
| Succeeded by | Julia Harrison |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 13, 1934 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Fordham University |
Peter Fortunate Vallone Sr. (born December 13, 1934 in New York City) is an American politician.
Background
His father, Judge Charles J. Vallone (1901–1967) of the Queens County Civil Court, encouraged young Peter to broaden his horizons beyond the limited social interactions with other ethnic and religious groups that were discouraged in the pre-Vatican II era. His mother, Leah Palmigiano Vallone, was a teacher and a Democratic State Committeewoman. With his wife, Tena, he has three children (Peter Jr., Paul, and Perry) and eight grandchildren.
Education
He attended Fordham University, where he received his BSS (1956) and his LLB (1959).
Political career
A former Democratic New York City Councilman who represented Astoria, Queens from 1974 to 2001, he was the second most powerful official in New York City's government after the mayor, when he became the city's first Speaker of the City Council in 1986.[1] He held that position until Gifford Miller took over in 2002.
Vallone drafted changes to the City Charter in 1989 that he claimed allowed the Council more say on the budget.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1998, and for Mayor in 2001.
Later career
He currently teaches political science at Baruch College and his autobiography, Learning to Govern: My Life in New York Politics, From Hell Gate to City Hall, described his years in government. He practices law in Astoria with his son, Peter Vallone Jr., who succeeded him in the City Council in 2002.
In 2005, Vallone endorsed Republican Michael Bloomberg for Mayor of New York City. In 2009, he endorsed a former rival in the mayoral race, Mark Green, who attempted to win back the job of Public Advocate.[2]
Electoral history
- 1998 election for Governor
- George Pataki (R) (inc.), 54%
- Peter Vallone (D), 33%
- Tom Golisano (I), 8%
References
| New York City Council | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Cuite |
Member of the New York City Council from the 20th district 1974–1991 |
Succeeded by Julia Harrison |
| Preceded by Arthur Katzman |
Member of the New York City Council from the 22nd district 1992–2001 |
Succeeded by Peter Vallone Jr. |
| Preceded by Thomas Cuite |
Majority Leader of the New York City Council 1986–2001 |
Succeeded by Joel Rivera |
| New office | Speaker of the New York City Council 1990–2001 |
Succeeded by Gifford Miller |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Mario Cuomo |
Democratic nominee for Governor of New York 1998 |
Succeeded by Carl McCall |