Jeffrion Aubry

Jeffrion Aubry is an American politician who served as a member of the New York State Assembly for nearly three decades, representing districts in Queens. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a prominent figure in state politics, focusing on criminal justice reform, economic development, and labor issues. His lengthy tenure in the New York State Legislature was marked by significant legislative achievements and leadership roles, including serving as Chair of the Committee on Correction.

Early life and education

Jeffrion Aubry was born on August 20, 1951, in New York City. He was raised in the Corona and East Elmhurst neighborhoods of Queens, communities that would later form the core of his legislative district. For his higher education, Aubry attended Adelphi University, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He later pursued graduate studies at New York University, furthering his academic background before entering public service.

New York State Assembly career

Aubry began his career in the New York State Assembly in February 1993, winning a special election to succeed Helen M. Marshall, who had been elected Queens Borough President. He initially represented the 35th Assembly District and, after redistricting in 2012, represented the 39th Assembly District. Throughout his tenure, Aubry held significant leadership positions, most notably as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Correction for over two decades. In this role, he oversaw legislation and policy related to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the state's prison system. He also served as a member of other key committees, including the Ways and Means Committee, the Labor Committee, and the Economic Development Committee.

Legislative accomplishments and political positions

Aubry was a principal architect of major criminal justice reforms in New York. He was the lead Assembly sponsor of the historic 2009 New York Drug Law Reform Act, which repealed many mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses. He also championed the 2019 Less is More Act, which reformed the state's parole system to reduce incarceration for technical violations. On economic issues, he was a strong advocate for organized labor, supporting prevailing wage laws and project labor agreements. He played a key role in the redevelopment of Willets Point and was instrumental in bringing the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, to his district. His positions were consistently aligned with the Democratic caucus, emphasizing social equity, workers' rights, and community investment.

Electoral history

Aubry first won his Assembly seat in a 1993 special election and was subsequently re-elected every two years from 1994 through 2020, typically facing only nominal or no opposition in the heavily Democratic district. His district boundaries were reconfigured during the 2012 New York State Legislature redistricting process, but he continued to win decisively in the new 39th District. In 2022, following another round of redistricting, his district was effectively abolished, and he chose not to run for re-election in a neighboring district, concluding his legislative career at the end of the year.

Personal life

Aubry has resided in Corona, Queens for much of his life. Prior to his election to the New York State Assembly, he worked as a corrections program administrator for the New York City Department of Correction. He is known for his deep community ties and involvement in local civic organizations throughout Queens. Following his retirement from the legislature, he remains active in public policy discussions, particularly concerning criminal justice and re-entry programs.

Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the New York State Assembly Category:New York (state) Democrats Category:Adelphi University alumni Category:New York University alumni Category:Politicians from Queens, New York Category:African-American state legislators in New York (state)