Melinda Katz

Melinda Katz. She is an American attorney and politician serving as the District Attorney of Queens County, having taken office in January 2020 after a closely contested election. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously held significant roles in New York City government, including as Queens Borough President and a member of the New York City Council. Her career has been defined by advocacy on issues such as affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and economic development in one of the nation's most diverse counties.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, she was raised in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens. Her father, David Katz, was a prominent figure in New York City politics and a judge on the New York Supreme Court. She attended The Kew-Forest School before pursuing higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She later obtained her Juris Doctor from the St. John's University School of Law, where she served as an editor for the St. John's Law Review.

Early career

After law school, she began her legal career as an associate at the firm Rosemann & Colin. She then entered public service, working as a legislative aide in the New York State Assembly. In 1994, she was elected to represent the 28th District in the New York State Assembly, succeeding her former boss, Michael Cohen. During her tenure in Albany, she focused on education funding, healthcare, and environmental protection. She later served as a member of the New York City Council from 2002 to 2009, where she chaired the influential Land Use Committee and played a key role in major redevelopment projects.

Queens District Attorney

In 2019, she won a highly competitive Democratic primary for Queens District Attorney, narrowly defeating Tiffany Cabán after a manual recount. She went on to win the general election in November 2019, succeeding the long-serving Richard A. Brown. Upon taking office in 2020, she established several new policy initiatives, including a Conviction Integrity Unit and a Special Victims Bureau. Her administration has emphasized alternatives to incarceration, bail reform, and addressing hate crimes. She has also been involved in high-profile cases, including the prosecution of individuals involved in the COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud and cases stemming from the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

Political positions and public service

Her political career has been marked by a focus on local economic development and social justice. As Queens Borough President from 2013 to 2019, she championed the revitalization of the Queens waterfront, including the Hunter's Point South Park project, and advocated for increased investment in public schools and infrastructure. She has been a vocal supporter of immigration rights, LGBT rights, and gun control measures. Her policy work often intersects with broader New York City initiatives, collaborating with mayors like Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio, and she served on the board of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Personal life

She was previously married to businessman Gary Wendt, with whom she has two sons. In 2022, she married Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels and a Republican candidate for Mayor of New York City in 2021. The marriage attracted significant media attention due to their differing political affiliations. She resides in Queens and is an active member of the local community, supporting various cultural institutions like the Queens Museum and the New York Hall of Science.

Category:1965 births Category:American district attorneys Category:Queens Borough Presidents Category:New York City Council members Category:Living people