About Pete
“I will fight for Hudson Valley values, not Trump’s values.” Pete Harckham was elected to represent New York State’s 40th Senate District in November 2018. In short order, Pete has been recognized as a state-wide leader in the fight against the opioid crisis and to reduce barriers to treatment for those suffering from Substance Use Disorder. He serves as the Chair of the Committee on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse and serves as the founding Co Chair of the Senate Joint Task force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention.
Harckham marked his first year in office by passing important legislation in support of taxpayers, Indian Point workers, the environment and people with substance abuse disorder.
Pete also fought for an increase in school aid by $1 Billion and a permanent 2% property tax cap, championed an investment of $500 million for clean water needs, plus extra funding for veterans’ programs, local law enforcement agencies and first responders. He was able to secure more than $27 million in grants and funding in direct support for the district, providing crucial support for infrastructure, school districts, first responders, parks, libraries and healthcare clinics.
Pete Harckham has become one of the most respected elected leaders in New York because of his continuing hard work, focus on problem-solving and strong understanding of the needs of residents and small businesses throughout the state
Elected to the New York State Senate in November 2018, and re-elected in November 2020, he is chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, where he has introduced over 40 bills dealing with substance use disorder and combating the overdose crisis.
One of the most productive members of the New York State Senate. Harckham had 16 of his bills signed into law last year. Previously, he worked to make the 2% Property Tax Cap permanent; fought to pass the toughest climate protection legislation in the nation; and was a leading voice to hold the utilities accountable in the wake of failed responses to natural disasters.
Pete served in the Administration of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo from 2015-2018. Prior to that, Harckham served on the Westchester County Board of Legislators from 2008-2015, representing the 2nd Legislative District. From 2010-2013 he was the Board’s Majority Leader. Among his many accomplishments at the Board, was recognized for establishing county protocols for emergency storm response, working for affordable housing and creating a county-wide Local Development Corporation to assist nonprofits with capital expansion. He also brokered a deal between the State and New York City to implement septic requirements near Westchester’s reservoirs, saving local municipalities (and taxpayers) millions of dollars. To further protect water quality, he secured $20 million in funding from New York City and helped pass landmark phosphorus reduction legislation.
Pete was born in 1960, and raised in Rockland County. He attended public schools in Clarkstown and then earned a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, majoring in English. Early in his career, Harckham worked in marketing and communications for major advertising firms in New York City, eventually opening his own strategic communications firm in 2002, which he helmed for several years until being elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Through most of his career, Pete has been an active supporter and participant in the work of various nonprofit organizations. From 2004 to 2007, he served as board president of A-HOME, a nonprofit that builds and manages affordable housing in northern Westchester. At the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, which supports environmental protection and education for underserved communities, he served as vice chair of the board for 13 years. Also, Harckham has served on the President’s Council for Northern Westchester Hospital; and the boards of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Junior League of Northern Westchester Community Advisory Council and the Livable Communities Council.
Today, Pete resides in South Salem, NY with his partner of many years Jin-Hee Stevens. He is the proud father of two adult daughters, Emma and Kate.
Keeping His Promises
That’s why we need Pete Harckham as our State Senator
- Secured $10 Million in school aid to improve local classrooms, to expand Pre-K programs and reduce class sizes, while passing legislation to preserve our natural resources for future generations
- Fought against the anti-choice Trump administration by passing the Reproductive Health Act - ensuring women in New York can make their own reproductive health choices
- Protected our families by passing common-sense legislation that extends waiting periods for gun purchases and bans high-risk dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms
- Stood Up for taxpayers by voting against a sales tax increase and passed a permanent property tax cap that will save taxpayers nearly $200 billion over the next decade
- Passed the Child Victims Act so victims of abuse can finally have access to justice in the courts
- Statewide leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic, doubling minimum treatment times, reducing copays and expanding access to life saving treatment
- Passed the toughest climate protection legislation in the nation to help combat climate change
That’s why we need Pete Harckham as our State Senator
- Won record investments in school funding, brought an additional $3.2 billion in Foundation Aid to districts, expanded Pre-K programs
- Passed the Reproductive Health Act, ensuring women in New York can make their own reproductive health choices
- Passed landmark legislation to require zero emissions vehicles by 2035
- Protected clean drinking water sources and passed the toughest climate protection law in the nation
- Worked to keep residents safe during the Covid-19 pandemic: held 11 food drives, delivered PPE, handled thousands of requests for assistance
- Continued the middle-class tax cuts for over $4 billion in savings and maintained the STAR program at full benefit for residents
- Kept our community safe with increased funding for law enforcement and gun violence interruption
Endorsements
