Dana Levenberg

Dana Levenberg was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, and lives in Ossining, New York. Levenberg earned a B.A. in international relations from Brown University in 1986. Her career experience includes working in advertising and TV production and as the chief of staff for New York State Assblm. Sandy Galef (D). Levenberg served on the Ossining School Board and as an Ossining town supervisor.[1][2][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m on a mission to build healthy communities in every sense of the word - environmentally healthy, economically healthy, physically and mentally healthy, all through the lens of equity. I am working hard in Albany to make the Hudson Valley greener, fairer, more prosperous and more affordable for all.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am a responsive legislator. I listen to my constituents and take action on their concerns. My office communicates frequently with constituents; we host mobile office hours, conduct surveys, and hold town halls seeking input, and make sure that the community knows how to get in contact and make themselves heard.I am a productive legislator. By the end of my first year in the Legislature, I had passed more prime-sponsored legislation than any other first-year member of the Assembly.I am an effective legislator. My laws are improving quality of life in our local communities and protecting precious natural assets, like the Hudson River. Moreover, working collaboratively with my colleagues at the local and state levels, I have delivered millions of dollars in state funding to my district, including more than $7.5 million in grants and more than $70 million for infrastructure projects.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Climate action and environmental justice are extremely important to me; there is no Planet B, and not much else we do will matter without a habitable planet. I am also focused on making New York more affordable for working and middle-class households. Housing is a particular interest of mine because it is one of the main drivers of the high cost of living in our state. We need to make more housing available at different levels of affordability to address one of the main drivers of outmigration. I am also very interested in protecting our personal freedoms and civil rights, currently under threat by MAGA Republicans.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

First and foremost, my mother. She survived the Holocaust as a hidden child in Holland, and has pushed through so many obstacles to be where she is today. In general, my family history during the Holocaust inspires my belief in social justice and much of the work that I do today. Also, my mother has boundless energy and can easily multi-task and juggle, which I believe is a necessary skill when representing multiple communities.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry is a documentary about the struggle for women’s rights in America and underscores the need to continue to fight for equal treatment under the law and the need to protect reproductive freedom. While it is certainly not a film that comprehensively addresses my political philosophy, it certainly illustrates a key movement that has shaped my beliefs.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A willingness to engage in the issues, listen to all sides, evaluate data, and make decisions based on what is best for your constituencies are all important as an elected official.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Approving a state budget and passing legislation that will improve life in New York for all those who live, work, visit and play in our state.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Probably the bicentennial. I would have been 10 or 11. I remember lining up in the schoolyard, dressing in red white and blue, and plays that were based on the American Revolution.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

One of respect and willingness to work together to achieve our common goals.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

There is not enough housing in New York State for everyone who wants to live here, or for all of the workers we need to power our economy. The scarcity of housing is pushing up housing costs, making life in New York less affordable. Building more housing is an economic and moral imperative. At the same time, we must do so sustainably. Climate change is real and must be addressed, particularly for the Hudson River towns of the 95th Assembly District, which face increased flooding risk. We must replace fossil fuels with renewable energy at a faster rate and make our infrastructure resilient in the context of a changing climate.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, particularly in New York where we have home rule and lots of functions are devolved to our various types of municipal governments. To be effective, a legislator needs to have an understanding of how these different levels of government work and how the state can support them, as well as strong relationships with other officials. My previous experience as a school board member and a town supervisor as well as an Assembly staffer for my predecessor has helped me in numerous ways in my work as a member of the Assembly.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Relationships are key to moving legislation forward and building support for other goals, like securing funds for your district’s priorities in the budget. The Legislature is also a workplace, and work is more enjoyable and productive when you like your colleagues! I am fortunate to have strong relationships with many of my fellow legislators.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I believe Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, my predecessor, was the ultimate diplomat. She listened and learned from others and put her understanding to work problem solving and helping people.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

A running list of my endorsements can be found at danaforassembly.com/endorsements.

What committees interest you?

I serve on the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation, Housing, Local Governments, Corrections and Libraries and Education Technology committees. I am also very interested in the legislation of the Education and Health committees, and would request assignment to these committees if re-elected.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe it is critical that we are transparent about how public funds are allocated to pay for government services and infrastructure, as well as including public input for public projects, rulemaking, and legislation.

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