Taylor Darling (politician)
Taylor Darling | |
|---|---|
_Taylor_Darling.jpg) | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 18th district | |
| In office January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Earlene Hooper |
| Succeeded by | Noah Burroughs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 21, 1983 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Spelman College Hofstra University |
| Signature |  |
Taylor Darling (née Raynor) is an American psychologist and public servant who served in the New York State Assembly representing the 18th District from 2019 to 2024. A Democrat, she represents part of Nassau County.
Early life and education
[edit]Taylor Darling was born to Raulston and Towana Bertley. Her father was of British, Nigerian, and Trinidadian descent and a convert to Judaism.[1] She graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Hofstra University with a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.[2] She also obtained her Doctorate in Psychology, Educational Leadership & Policy.[3]
Political career
[edit]Taylor Darling was the first Spelman woman, HBCU graduate and formerly nationally ranked chess player ever elected to the NYS Assembly. She challenged incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Earlene Hooper in 2018 and ultimately defeated Hooper in the Democratic primary with 52% of the vote.[4]
Some of Darling's accomplishments for her district include:
- Securing funding for student transportation services, effectively addressing the transportation desert on Long Island and making history by delivering the first-ever buses to the Hempstead School District.[5]
- Launching New York's first on-site apprentice program between labor union Local 66 and Roosevelt's school district on Long Island—setting the stage for long-term success after high school.[6]
- Advocating for infrastructure improvements across Long Island; affectionately referred to as the “Pothole Princess,” she successfully secured state funding to address critical road safety issues and pothole repairs.[7]
2024 State Senate campaign
[edit]Darling announced her campaign for the 6th district of the New York State Senate in 2024 after incumbent Democrat Kevin Thomas announced his intention to run for the United States House of Representatives.[8]
2026 House of Representatives campaign
[edit]Darling announced she is running against Laura Gillen for her congressional seat in the Democratic Party primary and during the 2026 election cycle.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Gronich, Marc (June 29, 2022). "Christian Assemblywoman Ponders Jewish Conversion". The Jewish Press. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Costello, Alex (October 25, 2022). "Candidate Profile:Taylor Darling Running For Assembly District 18". Patch. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ https://issuu.com/hofstra/docs/98331_10992_may_2024_commencement_program
- ^ Bolger, Timothy (September 13, 2018). "Newcomer Raynor Declares Victory Over Deputy Speaker Hooper". Long Island Press. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ https://www.liherald.com/seacliff/stories/taylor-darling-farewell-reflections-community-government,211773
- ^ https://longislandfed.org/affiliate-news/roosevelt-hs-launches-pre-apprenticeship
- ^ scottbrinton1 (2022-05-19). "Governor Hochul talks $1B pothole plan in Hempstead". Retrieved 2025-10-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Lewis, Rebecca; Ostreicher, Skye (September 27, 2023). "Taylor Darling announces state Senate bid". City & State. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/taylor-darling-laura-gillen-u56a7zvw
External links
[edit]- 1983 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Brooklyn
- People from Hempstead (village), New York
- Spelman College alumni
- Hofstra University alumni
- Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Women state legislators in New York (state)
- 21st-century members of the New York State Legislature