Al D'Amato

Al D'Amato
Name	Al D'Amato
Caption	United States Senator from New York
State	New York
Term start	January 3, 1981
Term end	January 3, 1999
Predecessor	Jacob Javits
Successor	Chuck Schumer
Office2	Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead
Term start2	1972
Term end2	1980
Predecessor2	Francis T. Purcell
Successor2	Joseph Mondello
Birth name	Alfonse Marcello D'Amato
Birth date	1 August 1937
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Penny Morgan (m. 1960; div. 1980), Katuria E. Smith (m. 2004)
Education	Syracuse University (BA), Syracuse University College of Law (JD)
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army Reserve
Serviceyears	1960–1966
Rank	Specialist 4

Al D'Amato is an American politician and lobbyist who served as a United States Senator from New York from 1981 to 1999. A member of the Republican Party, he was known for his aggressive political style, constituent service, and influential role on key Senate committees. After leaving the Senate, he founded a prominent Washington, D.C. lobbying firm, Park Strategies.

Early life and education

Alfonse Marcello D'Amato was born in Brooklyn to an Italian-American family. He attended Chaminade High School in Mineola before earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Syracuse University in 1959. He subsequently received a Juris Doctor from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1961. During this period, he also served in the United States Army Reserve.

Early political career

D'Amato began his political career in Nassau County government, working as an attorney and eventually being elected to the Town of Hempstead Town Board. In 1971, he was elected Town Supervisor, a powerful position in one of the nation's largest townships, where he was known for his hands-on management and close alliance with the Nassau County Republican Committee. This local base provided the foundation for his successful 1980 Senate campaign.

U.S. Senate career

D'Amato defeated liberal incumbent Jacob Javits in the Republican primary and then won the general election against Democratic Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman. In the Senate, he gained a reputation as "Senator Pothole" for his intense focus on constituency service. He served on the powerful Senate Banking Committee, where he championed the Community Reinvestment Act and later chaired the committee. He was a key figure in investigations into the Whitewater and Travelgate scandals during the Clinton administration. D'Amato was narrowly re-elected in 1986 and 1992 before being defeated by Chuck Schumer in the 1998 election.

Post-Senate career and lobbying

Following his departure from the Senate, D'Amato founded the lobbying and consulting firm Park Strategies. The firm represents a wide array of clients in sectors including finance, healthcare, and telecommunications, and is considered one of the most influential in Washington, D.C.. He remains an active commentator on New York and national politics, frequently appearing on networks like Fox News and Newsmax.

Political positions and legacy

D'Amato was a fiscally conservative but socially moderate Republican, often at odds with the party's growing Christian right wing. He supported abortion rights and LGBT rights, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. His legacy is defined by his mastery of pork barrel spending for New York, his aggressive investigative style, and his role in shaping financial regulation through the Senate Banking Committee. He was a mentor to figures like former Governor of New York George Pataki.

Personal life

D'Amato was married to Penny Morgan from 1960 until their divorce in 1980; they had four children. In 2004, he married attorney Katuria E. Smith. He is a resident of Lido Beach and remains active in Italian-American civic organizations. D'Amato is also known for his musical pursuits, occasionally performing as a drummer with a band called "The Senate's Finest."

Category:1937 births Category:Living people Category:American lobbyists Category:New York (state) Republicans Category:United States senators from New York