Janele Hyer-Spencer
Encyclopedia
D. Janele Hyer-Spencer is a Democrat
who represented New York's 60th Assembly District, which covers parts of Staten Island
and Brooklyn
.
, where she ran track, cross country, and played golf. She also played basketball in college.
She holds both a Law Degree (J.D.
) and a Masters of Arts
in Social Science/Public Policy from the City University of New York
(CUNY). She also has studied toward a Masters of Social Work in Social Welfare Policy and Administration.
-based non-profit which helps victims of domestic violence. She previously worked as an attorney with New York City
's Administration for Children's Services.
In December 2005, the State of New York Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy appointed Hyer-Spencer to its Surrogate Decision-Making Committee for a two-year term. The committee makes treatment decisions for the mentally disabled that live in facilities or use programs licensed, operated or funded by New York State. She was part of Project Hospitality’s Summit Against Bias, joining other civic leaders to help eliminate bias and prejudice on Staten Island. Her memberships include the Staten Island Welfare Action Network, the Staten Island Women’s Political Caucus, the National Eleanor’s Legacy Committee and formerly was a board member of Community Health Action of Staten Island.
She was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2006, narrowly defeating her Republican opponent to win a seat vacated by Republican Matthew Mirones
.
and Right to Life Party candidate Marietta A. Canning in the general election on November 2. Malliotakis defeated Hyer-Spencer with 55% of the vote.
As of 2009, she had run in three New York City Marathon
s, with a best time of 4 hours and 20 minutes. In a Staten Island Advance
interview, she stated she runs 5 days a week, and over 25 hours a week.
While in the State Assembly, she was noted for commuting to Albany
via motorcycle, riding a Yamaha V-Star with the custom license plate JANELE.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
who represented New York's 60th Assembly District, which covers parts of Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
and Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
.
Early life and education
Hyer-Spencer attended high school in Lake Zurich, IllinoisLake Zurich, Illinois
Lake Zurich is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States, a suburb of Chicago. The population was 18,104 at the 2000 census. A 2003 special census put the village's population at 19,005....
, where she ran track, cross country, and played golf. She also played basketball in college.
She holds both a Law Degree (J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
) and a Masters of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Social Science/Public Policy from the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
(CUNY). She also has studied toward a Masters of Social Work in Social Welfare Policy and Administration.
Career
An attorney, Janele Hyer-Spencer has a private law practice specializing in family law and serving domestic violence victims. She served as legal director of My Sisters' Place, a New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based non-profit which helps victims of domestic violence. She previously worked as an attorney with New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Administration for Children's Services.
In December 2005, the State of New York Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy appointed Hyer-Spencer to its Surrogate Decision-Making Committee for a two-year term. The committee makes treatment decisions for the mentally disabled that live in facilities or use programs licensed, operated or funded by New York State. She was part of Project Hospitality’s Summit Against Bias, joining other civic leaders to help eliminate bias and prejudice on Staten Island. Her memberships include the Staten Island Welfare Action Network, the Staten Island Women’s Political Caucus, the National Eleanor’s Legacy Committee and formerly was a board member of Community Health Action of Staten Island.
She was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2006, narrowly defeating her Republican opponent to win a seat vacated by Republican Matthew Mirones
Matthew Mirones
Matthew Mirones is a former Republican politician from New York City who represented parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island in the New York State Assembly.-Education and background:...
.
2010 election
Hyer-Spencer faced Republican Nicole MalliotakisNicole Malliotakis
Nicole Malliotakis is a Republican politician from New York City who represents parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island in the New York State Assembly. She is the first Hispanic-American to win elective office to any district that encompasses Staten Island. She is one of the first Greek-American women...
and Right to Life Party candidate Marietta A. Canning in the general election on November 2. Malliotakis defeated Hyer-Spencer with 55% of the vote.
Personal life
Hyer-Spencer lives in Staten Island with her husband, Douglas Spencer.As of 2009, she had run in three New York City Marathon
New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 45,103 finishers in 2010...
s, with a best time of 4 hours and 20 minutes. In a Staten Island Advance
Staten Island Advance
The Staten Island Advance is a daily newspaper published in the borough of Staten Island in New York City. The only daily newspaper published in the borough, and the only borough to have its own major daily paper, it covers news of local and community interest, including borough politics. As of...
interview, she stated she runs 5 days a week, and over 25 hours a week.
While in the State Assembly, she was noted for commuting to Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
via motorcycle, riding a Yamaha V-Star with the custom license plate JANELE.