David F. Gantt
David F. Gantt | |
---|---|
New York Assembly | |
In office January 1, 1983 – July 1, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Dale Rath (133rd district) Christopher S. Friend (137th district) |
Succeeded by | Bill Nojay (133rd district) Demond Meeks (137th district) |
Constituency | 133rd district (1983–2012) 137th district (2013–2020) |
Member of the Monroe County, New York Legislature from the 22nd district | |
In office 1973 – December 21, 1982[1] | |
Preceded by | Ronald Good[2] |
Succeeded by | Ron Thomas[3] |
Personal details | |
Born | Opp, Alabama, U.S. | September 21, 1941
Died | July 1, 2020 | (aged 78)
Political party | Democratic |
Children | 2[4] |
Signature | |
David F. Gantt Jr. (September 12, 1941 – July 1, 2020) was an American politician who served as a member of the
Gantt was born in Alabama and his family moved to New York during the 1950s. He attended two colleges after graduating from high school, but dropped out of both after a few years. In 1973, he was elected to the Monroe County Legislature and served until his election to the Assembly in 1982. During his tenure in the Assembly, he served on the Aging, Commerce, Election Laws, Steering, Transportation, and Ways and Means committees.
Early life
David F. Gantt Jr. was born on September 12, 1941, in
After dropping out of college, he worked for Case-Hoyt Corp. printing company and as a manager at the Anthony Jordan Health Center.[6] During the 1960 presidential election he volunteered for Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. In 1965, he campaigned for Ronald Good's successful campaign for the Monroe County Legislature.[2]
Career
Monroe County Legislature
Elections
In 1973, Gantt ran to succeed Good in the Monroe County Legislature from the 22nd district, defeating Republican nominee Leonard M. Lofton.[2][4][7] He won reelection to the county legislature in 1975, 1977, and 1979.[8][9][10]
In 1979, Gantt faced a primary challenge from Joseph Flores, a Hispanic Republican with the endorsement of the Hispanic Political Action Coalition and the Hispanic Women's Caucus, but defeated him in the Democratic primary.[11][12] In the general election he defeated Flores, now the Republican nominee.[10]
In 1981, Gantt faced a primary challenge from Marlene Tisdale. In the Democratic primary he defeated Tisdale, and was the only one of seven incumbent county legislators to receive the support of the Monroe County Democratic Party that won in the primary election.[13][14] In the general election he defeated Republican nominee Willie C. Anderson.[15]
Tenure
In 1977, the Democratic minority in the county legislature attempted to place him onto the Ways and Means Committee, but the Republican majority rejected Gantt in favor of Anthony Reed.[16] After the Democratic Party gained a majority in the county legislature in the 1977 elections Gantt and Michael Ormsby were selected to serve as assistant majority leaders.[17]
In 1980, Gantt was elected as a member of the New York Democratic Party's state committee alongside Marlene Tisdale.[18]
New York Assembly
Elections
On July 15, 1982, Gantt announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination in the New York Assembly's 133rd district to replace Assemblymember Dale Rath.[19] In the Democratic primary, he defeated Anthony Reed and James George.[20] In the general election, Gantt defeated Republican nominee John H. Dixon, Conservative nominee Patricia Brennan, and Right to Life nominee James J. Downs.[21] Gantt became the first and only black person to represent Monroe County in the Assembly.[6] He was reelected in 1984, and 1986.[22][23]
In 1988, Gantt faced a primary challenge from Melody Long, one of multiple Lyndon LaRouche supporters who challenged incumbent Democratic members of the Assembly and Senate in the primaries, but defeated Long in the primary.[24] In the general election he defeated Republican nominee Michael Keller, Conservative nominee Mario Mazzullo, and Right to Life nominee Cheryl Battles.[25]
Gantt won reelection from the 133rd district with opposition in 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2006.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32] In 1994, 2004, 2008, and 2010, he won reelection from the 133rd district without opposition.[33][34][35][36] He was redistricted into the 137th district and won reelection in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018.[37][38][39][40]
In June 2020, Gantt announced that he would not seek reelection to the Assembly.[41] He endorsed Ernest Flagler-Mitchell, a member of the Monroe County legislature, to succeed him, but Flagler-Mitchell was defeated by Demond Meeks.[42]
Tenure
During the 1983–1985 session of the Assembly Gantt served on the Aging, Commerce, and Election Laws committees.[43] During the 1993–1995 session of the Assembly he served on the Ways and Means, and Steering committees.[44]
During the 1984 Democratic presidential primaries he supported Walter Mondale and ran as a Mondale delegate from the 29th congressional district.[45] He was later selected to serve as a delegate-at-large for Mondale alongside Nancy Padilla.[46] During the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries he supported Jesse Jackson and petitioned to serve as a Jackson delegate from the 29th congressional district.[47]
In 1989, he was selected to serve as the chairman of the state Legislative Commission on the Development of Rural Resources by Speaker
In January 1990, Gantt swore in Thomas P. Ryan Jr. for his second term as mayor of Rochester, New York.[51] In 1991, he became the senior member of Monroe County's delegation following the death of Roger J. Robach.[52]
During the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries he endorsed Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.[53] Gantt stated that Kerry was "an American war hero and willing to stick his head out for education".[54] During the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries he endorsed New York Senator Hillary Clinton and served as a delegate for her to the Democratic National Convention.[55] During the 2012 presidential election he supported President Barack Obama, served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, and attended the Obama's second inauguration.[56] During the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries he endorsed Hillary Clinton.[57]
Death
On July 1, 2020, Gantt died from kidney failure.
Political positions
Civil and human rights
In 1994, Gantt voted in favor of legislation that would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation in jobs, schools, public establishments, and housing.[60] The Assembly later voted unanimously to support legislation prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities.[61] In 1997, he voted in favor of legislation that prohibited female genital mutilation.[62] In 1999, he voted in favor a constitutional amendment that would require equal pay for men and women.[63]
In 2001, Gantt co-sponsored a resolution by Charles H. Nesbitt that called for President George W. Bush to pardon the 50 black sailors who were convicted for refusing to load munitions onto ships following the Port Chicago disaster.[64]
In 2007, Gantt voted in favor of legislation that made the
In 2009, he chose to abstain on legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages in New York.[67] In 2011, he voted against legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages.[68]
Crime
In 1983, Gantt introduced legislation that would make the possession of a knife, dagger, or imitation pistol on school grounds a Class A misdemeanor punished with up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. He created the legislation in response to the stabbing death of Peter Castle, a school tutor.[69] In 1993, he sponsored legislation that would make the possession of a loaded gun in a school building, playground, athletic field, or within 1,000 feet of schoolyards a felony punishable with six to twenty five years in prison.[70] In 1995, he voted in favor of legislation that would ban the ownership of assault weapons.[71] In 2000, he voted in favor of legislation that raised the age requirement for obtaining a handgun permit from 18 to 21 years old.[72]
In 1990, he voted against legislation that would have reinstituted capital punishment in New York.[73] In 1993, the Assembly voted 61 to 49, with Gantt voting against, in favor of an amendment to the Constitution of New York that would reinstitute capital punishment, but fell below the 2/3rds requirement.[74] In 1995, he voted against legislation that would reinstitute capital punishment, but it was approved by the Assembly and Senate before being signed into law by Governor George Pataki.[75]
In 1994, the Assembly voted 57 to 56, with Gantt voting against, against legislation that would create a central DNA registry of convicted sex offenders and would allow DNA evidence to be used in court.[76] On June 28, 1995, the Assembly voted 149 to 9, with Gantt voting against, in favor of legislation similar to Megan's Law which would require sex offenders to register their location with the state.[77]
Development
In 1993, Gantt proposed using $10 million to renovate the
In 2004, the documentary July '64 was released and received two Emmy award nominations, after being produced in Rochester, New York, and receiving funding from the New York state legislature due to Gantt.[80] The documentary was based on the 1964 Rochester race riot which Gantt had experienced.[81]
Economics
In 1983, Gantt voted in favor of legislation that raised the minimum wage for farm workers from $2.75 to $3.35 per hour.[82] In 1996, he voted in favor of legislation that would raise New York's minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.05 per hour.[83] In 1997, he voted in favor of legislation that would raise New York's minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.15 per hour.[84] In 2001 and 2002, he voted in favor of legislation that would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.75 per hour.[85]
In 1992, he opposed a sales tax increase from 7% to 8% that was proposed by Monroe County Executive Robert L. King and approved by the Monroe County Legislature.[86] However, Gantt later supported another proposed sales tax increase to 7.5%.[87]
Ratings
In 1989, Gantt was given an 85% rating from the New York Environmental Planning Lobby.[88] In 1990, he was given a 92% rating from the New York Civil Liberties Union.[89] He was given a 20% rating from the Conservative Party of New York State in 1991.[90] In 1992, he was given a 0% rating from the Conservative Party.[91]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt | 1,502 | 70.25% | ||
Republican | Leonard M. Lofton | 636 | 29.75% | ||
Total votes | 2,138 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 414 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 1,466 | 72.97% | ||
Republican | Rufina Luciano | 543 | 27.03% | ||
Total votes | 2,009 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 234 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 1,097 | 72.75% | ||
Republican | Rufina Luciano | 411 | 27.25% | ||
Total votes | 1,508 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 200 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 581 | 67.56% | ||
Democratic | Joseph Flores | 279 | 32.44% | ||
Total votes | 860 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 1,177 | 76.13% | ||
Republican | Joseph Flores | 369 | 23.87% | ||
Total votes | 1,546 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 704 | 62.14% | ||
Democratic | Marlene Tisdale | 429 | 37.86% | ||
Total votes | 1,133 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 1,616 | 78.79% | ||
Republican | Willie C. Anderson | 435 | 21.21% | ||
Total votes | 2,051 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt | 15,936 | 62.18% | ||
Liberal | David F. Gantt | 559 | 2.18% | ||
Total | David F. Gantt | 16,495 | 64.36% | ||
Republican | John Henry Dixon | 7,101 | 27.71% | ||
Conservative | Patricia H. Brennan | 1,534 | 5.99% | ||
Right to Life | James J. Downs | 491 | 1.92% | ||
Write-ins | Scattering | 8 | 0.03% | ||
Total votes | 25,629 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 4,236 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | ||||
Liberal | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | ||||
Total | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 23,656 | 63.43% | ||
Republican | Robert M. Dandrea | ||||
Conservative | Robert M. Dandrea | ||||
First Party Independent | Robert M. Dandrea | ||||
Total | Robert M. Dandrea | 13,640 | 36.57% | ||
Total votes | 37,296 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 16,760 | 90.58% | ||
Conservative | Mario C. Mazzullo | 1,704 | 9.42% | ||
Total votes | 18,464 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 13,222 | 63.97% | ||
Republican | Patricia Millon | 5,767 | 27.90% | ||
Conservative | Mario C. Mazzullo | 1,680 | 8.13% | ||
Total votes | 20,669 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 15,024 | 79.68% | ||
Conservative | Mario C. Mazzullo | 2,538 | 13.46% | ||
Right to Life | Deborah Sanders | 1,293 | 6.86% | ||
Total votes | 18,855 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 15,744 | 87.48% | ||
Conservative | Judith A. Sinclair | 2,254 | 12.52% | ||
Total votes | 17,998 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 6,604 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 20,274 | 72.06% | ||
Republican | Stephen Tucciarello | 6,480 | 23.03% | ||
Conservative | Stephen Tucciarello | 850 | 3.02% | ||
Total | Stephen Tucciarello | 7,330 | 26.05% | ||
Independence | James A. Tranquill | 530 | 1.88% | ||
Total votes | 28,134 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 5,190 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 14,872 | 81.74% | ||
Conservative | Mark J. McCabe | 1,690 | 9.29% | ||
Independence | Solomon D. Harris | 1,633 | 8.97% | ||
Total votes | 18,195 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 7,270 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 22,050 | 100.00% | ||
Total votes | 22,050 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 17,040 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 14,791 | 76.42% | ||
Republican | Carlos Q. Coker | 4,563 | 23.58% | ||
Total votes | 19,354 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 4,249 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 29,622 | 100.00% | ||
Total votes | 29,622 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 14,981 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 14,972 | 100.00% | ||
Total votes | 14,972 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 7,554 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 33,081 | 88.03% | ||
Green | Andrew P. Langdon | 4,498 | 11.97% | ||
Total votes | 37,579 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 8,674 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 13,288 | 78.58% | ||
Rochester and Gates United Neighbors | Ann C. Lewis | 3,622 | 21.42% | ||
Total votes | 16,910 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 4,837 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 31,738 | 100.00% | ||
Total votes | 31,738 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 12,775 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | David F. Gantt (incumbent) | 22,825 | 100.00% | ||
Total votes | 22,825 | 100.00% | |||
Blank/void | 9,728 |
References
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- ^ a b c "David Gantt: Assembly veteran carries clout in Albany". March 22, 2020.
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- ^ a b c "David Gantt, tireless defender of 'my people,' dies at 78". Democrat and Chronicle. July 2, 2020. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
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- ^ a b "1998 election results" (PDF).
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- ^ a b "2004 election results" (PDF).
- ^ a b "2008 election results" (PDF).
- ^ a b "2010 election results" (PDF).
- ^ a b "2012 election results" (PDF).
- ^ a b "2014 election results" (PDF).
- ^ a b "2016 election results" (PDF).
- ^ a b "2018 election results" (PDF).
- ^ "Lewis, Meeks, Orsi, Flagler: One of them will step into David Gantt's shoes". Democrat & Chronicle. June 19, 2020. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ "Assemblyman David Gantt to retire after four decades in politics". WXXI (AM). February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.; "Demond Meeks to replace David Gantt in the 137th Assembly District". Democrat and Chronicle. July 8, 2020. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
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- ^ "Funeral of Assemblyman David Gantt". WHAM-TV. July 11, 2020. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "State Assemblyman David Gantt Dies". Spectrum News. July 1, 2020. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
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