Jo Anne Simon

American politician

Jo Anne Simon
Simon in 2021

Member of the New York State Assembly from the 52nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2015
Preceded by	Joan Millman

Personal details
Born	(1952-10-05) October 5, 1952 (age 71) Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Bill Harris
Education	Iona College (BA) Gallaudet University (MA) Fordham University (JD)
Signature
Website	State Assembly website

Jo Anne Simon (born 1952) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the New York State Assembly for the 52nd District of the New York State Assembly. She is a Democrat. The district includes portions of Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope, Boerum Hill and DUMBO in Brooklyn. She was a candidate for Congress in New York's newly redrawn 10th congressional district in 2022.

Early life and education

Simon was born in Yonkers, New York. A first-generation college student,^{[citation needed]} she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Iona College. She later earned a Master of Arts degree from Gallaudet University, and a Juris Doctor from the Fordham University School of Law.^[1]

Career

After graduating from law school, Simon established a disability civil rights law firm in Downtown Brooklyn. She also worked as an adjunct assistant professor of law at Fordham University. A resident of Brooklyn for nearly forty years, Simon formerly served as the president of the Boerum Hill Association before being elected to the New York State Assembly. In 2014, she was elected district leader and state committeewoman for the 52nd Assembly district.^[2]

On October 1, 2020, Simon announced her candidacy for Brooklyn Borough President in front of James Madison High School as a tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If she had been elected, she would have been the first woman to hold the office; she finished in second place, behind City Council member Antonio Reynoso.^[3]^[4]

New York Assembly

In 2014, nine-term Assemblywoman Joan Millman announced she would retire.^[5] Soon after, Simon announced she would enter the race to succeed her.^[6] In a three-way primary, Simon secured over 53% of the vote and won the general election with 69% of the vote.^[7]

Simon was sworn into office on January 1, 2015. In the Assembly, she serves as the chair of the Subcommittee on Tuition Assistance Programs.

Personal life

Simon is married to Bill Harris and resides in Boerum Hill.

References

^ "WEDDINGS;Jo Anne Simon, William L. Harris". New York Times. 1996-09-16. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
^ "A former judge and civil rights lawyer lead crowded pack to take over Brooklyn Democratic Party". New York Daily News. 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
^ Duggan, Kevin (October 2020). "Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon declares for Borough President". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
^ Quinn, Anna (6 July 2021). "Antonio Reynoso Wins Brooklyn Borough President Primary Race". Patch. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
^ "Assemblywoman Millman to retire from the NYS Assembly". Brooklyn Eagle. 2014-05-19. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
^ "Jo Anne Simon Says She'll Run for Joan Millman's Seat". Observer. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
^ "Jo Anne Simon Wins 52nd AD Democratic Primary, Will Face Guitar Playing GOP Challenger in November". Brooklyn Heights Blog. 2014-09-09. Retrieved 2016-01-22.