Kevin Parker (New York politician)

Kevin Parker
Member of the New York State Senate
from the 21st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2003
Preceded bynew seat (redistricting)
Personal details
Born (1967-03-06) March 6, 1967
PartyDemocratic
EducationPennsylvania State University (BS); New School for Social Research (MS)
WebsiteState Senate website

Kevin Parker (born March 6, 1967) is an American politician from the state of New York. He is a member of the New York State Senate representing the 21st district, which comprises the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park, Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach and Marine Park. A Democrat, Parker was first elected to the Senate in 2002. He ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for New York City Council District 45 in 2001 and in Democratic primaries for New York City Comptroller in 2021 and 2025.

Parker is known for his angry outbursts, some of which have been violent. In 2010, he was convicted by a jury of two counts of criminal mischief for attacking a New York Post photographer, damaging his camera and car door, and breaking his finger.

Early life, education, and early career

Kevin Parker was born on March 6, 1967.[1] He is the son of Sonie and Georgie Parker.[2][3] He attended P.S. 193, Andries Hudde I.S. 240, and Midwood High School in Brooklyn.[4] Parker received a Bachelor of Science in Public Service from Penn State and a Master of Science Degree from the New School for Social Research in Urban Policy and Management.[5]

Before serving in elected office, Parker worked as a special assistant to New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall and as a New York City Urban Fellow under Manhattan Borough President and mayoral candidate Ruth Messinger.[6]

In 2001, Parker ran unsuccessfully in the New York City Council District 45 Democratic primary, coming in fifth place with 14.95% of the vote.[7]

New York State Senate

Elections

In 2002, Parker defeated former City Councilman Noach Dear in a tightly contested Democratic primary for a newly drawn, open State Senate seat in Brooklyn.[8] He went on to win the 2002 general election.[9]

In the 2008 Democratic primary, Parker held off a strong challenge from New York City Councilmembers Simcha Felder and Kendall Stewart. He won the primary with less than 50% of the vote.[10]

In 2022, following redistricting, Parker received a primary challenge from Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidate David Alexis. Parker prevailed over Alexis, 45.61%-37.49%, with former Manhattan ADA Kaegan Mays-Williams receiving 16.09% of the vote.[11][12] Alexis remained in the race on the Working Families Party line, and Parker defeated him by a wide margin in the general election.[13]

Tenure

In April 2010, Parker launched into a tirade while a white colleague, Republican Senator John DeFrancisco of Syracuse, was questioning a Black nominee for the New York State Power Authority at a confirmation hearing. He objected to DeFrancisco's questions and asserted that he had never seen a white nominee treated in similar fashion. "Amid the nearly two-minute tirade, committee chairman Carl Kruger told Parker he would be removed from the hearing room if he didn't settle down".[14] Parker responded: "Well, you better bring people".[15] During the tirade, Parker accused his colleagues of racism. In a radio interview, he accused DeFrancisco and other Republican "enemies" of being white supremacists;[16][17] he later apologized for the "white supremacists" accusation.[18] His fellow Democrat, Senator Rubén Díaz Sr., opined that Parker "needs help".[19] The editorial board of The New York Times opined that "Mr. Parker should be censured, and voters in central Brooklyn should start recruiting a qualified replacement."[20]

On June 24, 2011, the State Senate passed the Marriage Equality Act.[21] Parker voted in favor of the legislation, which was signed into law that evening.[22] However, he stormed to the podium where Lieutenant Gov. Robert Duffy was presiding and then left the Senate floor in protest because he was not allowed to speak on the bill.[23][21] According to Parker, Senate Democrats had previously been informed that each Senator would have two minutes to explain his or her vote. Parker added that the doors to the Senate chamber were locked on the evening of June 24 to prevent senators from leaving the chamber when the bill was voted upon.[23]

After the Democrats won the Senate majority in the 2018 elections, Parker was named Chair of the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.[24]

In December 2018, a car bearing Parker's Senate parking placard was parked illegally in a New York City bicycle lane, blocking bicycle traffic.[19][25] When questioned on Twitter by a Republican female staffer about the vehicle, Parker replied, "Kill yourself!"[26][27] Parker later commented, "I don't know why this is a temper issue. Did I touch her?"[28] He also said: "I’m sure people in my district don’t care."[29] Parker eventually deleted his tweet and issued an apology.[30] Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins criticized Parker for his tweet. However, as of January 27, 2019, no formal disciplinary action had been taken against him in regard to the "Kill yourself!" tweet.[31]

The State Senate passed the Reproductive Health Act in January 2019, with Parker voting in favor of the bill; then-Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law.[32][33]

In May 2019, the State Senate passed a Parker-sponsored bill that would ban undetectable firearms.[34] In July 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law.[35][36]

A Parker-sponsored bill that barred utility companies from shutting off customers' service during the COVID-19 pandemic and other states of emergency was signed into law on June 17, 2020.[37]

On October 14, 2020, a Parker-sponsored bill recognizing Juneteenth (June 19) as an official state holiday was enacted. Juneteenth commemorates the day when the news of the liberation of enslaved persons reached Texas more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect.[38]

Also in 2020, Parker sponsored a bill that would have recognized racism as a public health crisis.[39] In 2021, he re-introduced legislation to require members of the NYPD to live in the five boroughs.[40]

As of March 2026, Parker served as the Senate's senior assistant majority leader.[41] His district, Senate District 21, consists of the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park, Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach and Marine Park.[5]

In March 2026, Parker authored legislation mandating that MTA subway trains have two-person crews.[42] Critics described two-person crews as costly and unnecessary, as most of the world's major train lines have either one-person crews or have moved to full automation.[42]

Other campaigns

2021 New York City comptroller campaign

Main article: 2021 New York City Comptroller election

Parker announced his candidacy in the 2021 New York City Comptroller election.[43] He ran in the Democratic primary against (among others) NYS Senator Brian Benjamin, entrepreneur and former US Marine Zach Iscol, NYC Council member Brad Lander, and NYS Assemblymember David Weprin.[44] He finished sixth in the Democratic primary, which was won by Lander.[45]

2025 New York City comptroller campaign

Main article: 2025 New York City Comptroller election

Parker ran for New York City Comptroller again in 2025. New York County Democratic Party Chair, former New York State Assemblyman Keith Wright, and New York State Senator Robert Jackson initially endorsed Parker, but later revoked their respective endorsements and endorsed New York City Councilman Justin Brannan as their first choice in the Democratic primary.[46] Parker finished in fourth place out of four candidates in the Democratic primary.[47]

Parker is notable for what City & State NY referred to in 2019 as his "long history of making explosive remarks and getting involved in scuffles".[48] In 2010, the editorial board of The New York Times described Parker as "the man with frightening rages that could erupt at any time and on almost any subject".[20]

In 2004, businessman and politician Wellington Sharpe said that Parker had assaulted him in an argument. Sharpe did not file any charges.[49][50] Parker defeated Sharpe in the 2004 State Senate election.[51]

In January 2005, Parker was arrested and charged with third-degree assault for punching a New York City traffic agent in the face after Parker saw the traffic agent writing his car a traffic citation for double parking.[48][49][52] The charges were dropped after he agreed to take anger management classes.[16]

In 2005, a female staffer alleged that Parker had hit and shoved her. She further alleged that after she made these accusations public, Parker had threatened her at a restaurant.[48][53] Senate Minority Leader David Paterson investigated the allegation but did not take action on it.[49]

In 2008, a female former staffer named Lucretia John filed criminal charges against Parker.[49][54][55] She alleged that he pushed her during an argument, choked her, knocked her eyeglasses off her face, and intentionally smashed her glasses by stomping on them.[16][56][57] Parker denied the allegations, stated that John had attacked him, and filed criminal charges of his own.[55]

On May 8, 2009, Parker was arrested in Brooklyn for chasing and attacking a New York Post photographer, damaging the photographer's camera and car door, and breaking his finger.[48][50][58] He was charged with a felony and released without bail.[59][60] Parker was then stripped of his leadership positions as Majority Whip and chair of the Energy Committee; in addition, payment of his $22,000 leadership stipend was suspended.[61] Following the arrest, Parker told reporters: "I don't think I have an anger issue."[53] Parker was convicted by a jury of two misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief on December 6, 2010.[62][63] On March 21, 2011, Parker was sentenced to three years' probation, fined $1,000, and ordered to pay compensation to the New York Post.[50] He was again ordered to attend anger-management classes, and the judge also issued an order of protection.[64]

Parker was restrained by a colleague during a profane tirade in February 2010[48] in which he cursed at Senator Diane Savino, referred to her as a "bitch", and charged towards her. He then offered to fight Senator Jeff Klein, who intervened. Parker later apologized to Savino.[65][66]

In November 2023, Parker was sued by a woman who accused him of having raped her in 2004.[67] Parker has denied the allegation.[68]

Disability rights advocate Michael Carey accused Parker of shoving him twice prior to a State Senate committee meeting in 2024. The New York State Police responded to the situation.[69] Carey later stated that he had spoken with Parker and that the conflict had been resolved in an amicable manner. No charges were filed.[70]

References

  1. ^ "TSE Public Resources - Sen. Kevin Parker (D-NY-021)". www.congressweb.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Campanile, Carl (April 10, 2017). "State senator owes more than $50K in property taxes, water bills". New York Post. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  3. ^ "Deaths; Parker, Sonie". The New York Times. June 10, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Kevin S. Parker". MIT CoLab. February 27, 2018. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "About Kevin S. Parker". nysenate.gov. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  6. ^ Wilson, Michael (January 21, 2005). "Senator Is Accused of Punching a Traffic Agent Over a Ticket". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. ^ "New York City Council 45 - D Primary Race". Our Campaigns. September 25, 2001. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  8. ^ "NY State Senate 21 - D Primary Race - Sep 10, 2002". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  9. ^ Klein, Helen (July 21, 2008). "3-way state senate race – Councilmen Felder, Stewart challenge Parker for post". Brooklyn Paper.
  10. ^ Confessore, Nicholas; Hicks, Jonathan P. (September 10, 2008). "Silver Sidesteps a Challenge, but Other Incumbents Fall in Primary". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  11. ^ Lewis, Rebecca C. (August 24, 2022). "2022 New York state Senate primary election results". City & State NY.
  12. ^ Donaldson, Sahalie (July 25, 2022). "Kevin Parker is feeling confident about his reelection chances". City & State NY.
  13. ^ "2022 Nov 8 • General • State Senator • State Senate District 21". New York State Board of Elections Elections Database. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  14. ^ Katz, Celeste; Lovett, Kenneth (April 28, 2010). "Elliptical vs. treadmill: Which will give you the better workout?". New York Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  15. ^ Amira, Dan (April 27, 2010). "State Senator Kevin Parker Still Has a Lot of Trouble Remaining Calm". New York Intelligencer. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Kramer, Marcia (April 29, 2010). "NY Senator: 'You Racist People In Here'". wcbstv. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  17. ^ Multiple sources:
  18. ^ Peters, Jeremy (July 4, 2010). "Senator Parker Apologizes For Race Rant". HuffPost. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Sen. Parker to Run For NYC Comptroller despite history of violence against women (and men)". Shorefront News. February 15, 2019. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Opinion: A Toxic Anger". The New York Times. April 30, 2010. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Confessore, Nicholas and Barbaro, Michael (June 24, 2011). "New York Allows Same-Sex Marriage, Becoming Largest State to Pass Law," Archived June 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine The New York Times, accessed June 25, 2011
  22. ^ Johnston, Garth (June 24, 2011). "Finally: NY State Senate Passes Gay Marriage". Gothamist. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  23. ^ a b King, David (June 25, 2011). "Why Sen. Kevin Parker Got Mad". Gotham Gazette. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  24. ^ "With Democrats in power, Brooklyn state senators to lead committees". Brooklyn Eagle. December 12, 2018. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  25. ^ Campbell, Jon. (December 18, 2018). "Oh my word." Archived February 11, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, Twitter.
  26. ^ Mills Rodrigo, Chris (January 18, 2018). "NY state senator tweets 'kill yourself' at user who called him out over parking placard". The Hill. Archived from the original on December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  27. ^ Fearnow, Benjamin (December 18, 2018). "'KILL YOURSELF!': NEW YORK STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER APOLOGIZED FOR TWEET OVER PARKING SPOT". Newsweek. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018. Parker responded with an irrational demand that she kill herself before he offered a weak Twitter apology using his verified account. But less than an hour after the apology, Parker continued his criticism of Giove.
  28. ^ Cupp, S. E. (December 19, 2018). "It's high time we confront online bullies who urge others to kill themselves". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Derysh, Igor (December 18, 2018). "Kevin Parker: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  30. ^ Morrow, Brendan (December 18, 2018). "State senator apologizes after tweeting 'kill yourself' to a GOP aide". The Week.
  31. ^ Khurshid, Samar (January 27, 2019). "Senate Democrats Pursue No Formal Consequences for Parker After 'Kill yourself!' Tweet". Gotham Gazette. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  32. ^ Leonhardt, Andrea (January 24, 2019). "NY Senate Passes Historic Reproductive Health Act to Protect Roe..." BK Reader. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  33. ^ "Abortion in America: How does NY's law compare to Alabama's law?". Pressconnects. May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. ^ Gormley, Michael (May 20, 2019). "State Legislature passes ban on 'undetectable guns'". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  35. ^ "New York bans 3D-printed guns, other undetectable firearms". Times Herald-Record. July 30, 2019.
  36. ^ Parker, Kevin (July 30, 2019). "Senator Parker's Bill Banning 3D Guns Becomes Law". NYSenate.gov.
  37. ^ Dunne, Allison (June 23, 2020). "Advocates Say NY Utility Shutoff Prevention Law Should Be A Model For Other States". wamc.org. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  38. ^ Wilcox, Anya (October 16, 2020). "Cuomo signs law making Juneteenth a state holiday". The Legislative Gazette. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  39. ^ "Year in Review 2020". Amsterdam News. December 31, 2020. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  40. ^ "Socialist organizer David Alexis announces primary challenge to State Sen. Kevin Parker • Brooklyn Paper". October 6, 2021. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  41. ^ "Senate Leadership". nysenate.gov. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  42. ^ a b Nessen, Stephen (March 12, 2026). "NY lawmakers, transit union makes fresh push to enshrine 2-person subway crews". Gothamist.
  43. ^ "Parker: 'I literally have the most relevant and significant experience'". City & State NY. January 27, 2021. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  44. ^ Mays, Jeffery C. (January 27, 2021). "One Candidate Leaves Crowded Mayor's Race. One From 'Housewives' Joins". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  45. ^ "DEM Comptroller Citywide". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 20, 2021. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  46. ^ "Manhattan Dem Party boss Keith Wright backs Justin Brannan for comptroller". Archived from the original on April 10, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  47. ^ Brosnan, Erica (June 24, 2025). "Levine declares victory in comptroller primary as Brannan concedes". ny1.com.
  48. ^ a b c d e Williams, Zach (April 12, 2019). "State Sen. Kevin Parker's most notable eruptions". City & State NY. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  49. ^ a b c d Hicks, Jonathan P. (September 18, 2008). "State Senator Faces New Allegations of Violence". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  50. ^ a b c Moynihan, Colin (March 21, 2011). "State Senator Receives 3 Years' Probation". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  51. ^ Klein, Helen (September 15, 2010). "And from our Southern Brooklyn bureau…". Brooklyn Paper. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  52. ^ McKinley, Jesse (December 19, 2018). "Brooklyn Senator Tells a G.O.P. Foe to 'Kill Yourself' on Twitter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  53. ^ a b Gormley, Michael (May 12, 2009). "Parker Pocketed $22K Stipend Right Before Photog Flap". NBC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  54. ^ "Lawmaker arrested after scrap with photographer". The Dickinson Press. May 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  55. ^ a b Klein, Helen (September 28, 2008). "Cops probe Parker clash with staffer". Brooklyn Paper.
  56. ^ Chung, Jen (May 12, 2009). "State Senator Parker Says He Doesn't Have Anger Issue". Gothamist. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  57. ^ Lovett, Kenneth (September 18, 2008). "Brooklyn lawmaker accused of pushing aide, breaking her glasses". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  58. ^ Multiple sources:
  59. ^ Gendar, Alison; Lovett, Ken; Standora, Leo (May 8, 2009). "State Senator Kevin Parker busted over tussle with photographer". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  60. ^ "State Senator Kevin Parker arrested after scrap with photographer". abc7NY. May 9, 2009. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  61. ^ Baker, Al (May 9, 2009). "After Arrest, a State Senator Loses His Leadership Posts". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  62. ^ Sherman, William; Lovett, Kenneth (December 7, 2010). "State Sen. Kevin Parker convicted of misdemeanor charges in beating of photographer". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  63. ^ Rosenberg, Noah; Confessore, Nicholas (December 8, 2010). "Senator Convicted of Misdemeanor Charges in Clash With Photographer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  64. ^ Paybarah, Azi (March 21, 2011). "State Senator Gets Probation for Assaulting New York Post Photog [Updated]". observer.com.
  65. ^ Lovett, Kenneth (February 11, 2010). "Another Senate brawl in Albany: Sen. Kevin Parker charges towards then curses out female colleague". The New York Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  66. ^ "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE: SENATOR KEVIN PARKER VERSUS WELLINGTON SHARPE (AGAIN)". Room Eight. August 18, 2010. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  67. ^ Brachfeld, Ben (November 19, 2023). "Brooklyn state Senator Kevin Parker accused of raping woman assisting in Haiti relief efforts in new lawsuit | amNewYork". www.amny.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  68. ^ Brachfeld, Ben (November 22, 2023). "Sen. Kevin Parker denies rape allegations from bombshell Adult Survivors Act lawsuit". www.amny.com.
  69. ^ "Disability rights advocate says NY state senator shoved him at Capitol". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  70. ^ "New York senator won't face charges after he was accused of shoving an advocate". Spectrum Local News. May 22, 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kevin Parker (New York politician).
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.