Daniel Squadron

{{short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2013}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Daniel L. Squadron | image = Squadron 2016 Headshot.jpg | caption = Squadron in 2016 | image_size = | office = Member of the New York State Senate | district = | term_start = January 1, 2009 | term_end = August 11, 2017 | predecessor = Martin Connor | successor = Brian P. Kavanagh | constituency = {{ubl |25th district (2009-2012) |26th district (2013-2017)}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|11|9}} | birth_place = The Bronx, New York City, U.S. | party = Democratic | other_party = Working Families Party | spouse = Elizabeth Weinstein | children = 2 | alma_mater = Yale University (B.A.) | father = Howard Squadron }}

'''Daniel L. Squadron'''<ref name=DanielL/> (born November 9, 1979) is an American politician and former member of the New York State Senate for the 26th district.

A Democrat, Squadron was elected a New York State Senator in 2008, and was a candidate in the 2013 race for New York Public Advocate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://project.wnyc.org/election2013/|title=Election 2013: Other Races|publisher=Wnyc.org|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304023504577322003344762854|title=A 2013 Contest Revs Up In 2012|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> In August 2017, he resigned from the NY State Senate to work with entrepreneur Adam Pritzker and Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University to launch Future Now, a national initiative to promote "policies focused on creating a better, healthier, fairer future."<ref name="Why I'm leaving the N.Y. Senate">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/leaving-n-y-senate-article-1.3394774|title=Why I'm leaving the N.Y. Senate|work=New York Daily News |date=August 9, 2017 |access-date=2017-08-13|language=en}}</ref>

==Early life== Daniel Squadron was born in 1979.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/nyregion/05connor.html?_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Primary for State Senate Seat Pits 30-Year Veteran Against Newcomer, 28|first=Johnathan|last=Hicks|date=September 4, 2008|access-date=October 3, 2013}}</ref> His mother is Anne Strickland Squadron,<ref name=Forbes>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/29/madoff-squadron-bethune-business-beresford.html |title=Bethune Gets A Deal From Madoff Victim |magazine=Forbes |access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> and his father was Howard Squadron<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/weiner-endorses-state-senate-challenger/|title=Weiner Endorses State Senate Challenger|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Forbes"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/money/widow-bigshot-nyc-lawyer-howard-squadron-sued-stepkids-losing-trust-fund-madoff-article-1.172317|title=Widow of bigshot NYC lawyer Howard Squadron sued by her stepkids for losing trust fund to Madoff|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/nyregion/15squadron.html|title=Squadron's Agenda: A More Open Albany|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name=dadObit>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/28/nyregion/howard-m-squadron-75-influential-lawyer-dies.html|title=Howard M. Squadron, 75, Influential Lawyer, Dies|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> of the law firm Squadron, Ellenoff, Plesent & Sheinfeld and Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://riverdalepress.com/stories/Daniel-Squadron-a-true-advocate,53029|title=Daniel Squadron, a true advocate|website=The Riverdale Press|language=en|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref> His brother, Bill Squadron, was the head of Bloomberg Sports.<ref name="dadObit"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomberglink.com/people/bill-squadron/|title=Bill Squadron|publisher=Bloombergerglink.com|access-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002005407/http://www.bloomberglink.com/people/bill-squadron/|archive-date=October 2, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Squadron attended the private Fieldston School and graduated from Yale University in 2003. During his junior year, he cofounded and managed What Bar, a bar near Columbia University.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Yale juniors to sell their trendy Upper West Side bar|first=Rebecca|last=Dana|date=January 18, 2002|access-date=October 3, 2013|newspaper=Yale Daily News|url=http://yaledailynews.com/weekend/2002/01/18/two-yale-juniors-to-sell-their-trendy-upper-west-side-bar/}}</ref>

==Career==

===Early career=== Squadron served as a consultant to New York City's Department of Education and worked as a staffer on Congressman Anthony Weiner's 2005 mayoral campaign.<ref name="New York Times" /> He served as an aide to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, helping the New York senator with his book ''Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time'' (2007).

===State Senate=== Squadron ran for the 25th district of the New York State Senate in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-08-05/columns/a-former-charles-schumer-aide-tries-to-upend-state-senate-vet-marty-connor/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806082304/http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-08-05/columns/a-former-charles-schumer-aide-tries-to-upend-state-senate-vet-marty-connor/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 6, 2008|last=Robbins|first=Tom|title=A Former Charles Schumer Aide Tries to Upend State Senate Vet Marty Connor: A veteran progressive legislator faces the Schumer steamroller|newspaper=Village Voice}}</ref> He received the endorsements of Schumer, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hicks|first=Jonathan|title=Squadron's Agenda: A More Open Albany|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/nyregion/15squadron.html|access-date=December 8, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 14, 2008}}</ref> Assisted by family friends, Schumer supporters, and an aggressive campaign strategy,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-09-03/columns/daniel-squadron-the-mouthy-candidate-who-won-t-talk/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903100315/http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-09-03/columns/daniel-squadron-the-mouthy-candidate-who-won-t-talk/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 3, 2008|title=Daniel Squadron, The Mouthy Candidate Who Won't Talk|newspaper=The Village Voice}}</ref> Squadron defeated incumbent state senator Martin Connor and took 54% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/09/silver-66-squadron-declares-vi.html|last=Benjamin|first=Elizabeth|title=Silver, 68 Percent; Squadron Declares Victory|newspaper=Daily News (New York)|date=September 9, 2008|access-date=September 10, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202085924/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/09/silver-66-squadron-declares-vi.html|archive-date=February 2, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On November 6, 2012, Squadron was elected to the state senate again, this time to represent the 26th district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bill/11462/30628/110444/education-law-amendments-concerning-charter-schools#.UjiNto4zJs9|title=A 11310 – Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools – Key Vote|publisher=Project Vote Smart}}</ref> He beat his Republican opponent, J. Haro, 86% to 14%.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-election-2012-results-article-1.1197541|title=Election 2012: New York Election Results: Live election results for all Assembly, State Senate and other local elections|newspaper=New York Daily News}}</ref> Squadron won reelection in 2014 in a landslide over Republican candidate Wave Chan; and he ran unopposed in 2016, running on both the Democratic and Working Families Party lines.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

Squadron's platform included opposition to luxury development in Brooklyn Bridge Park. He negotiated a deal that reduced and delayed housing in the park, and has been credited with returning $11 million in capital funding that had been cut from the park's budget.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brooklyn's Bridge Park Will See Fewer Luxury Condos and More Community Amenities After Albany Deal|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/brooklyn-bridge-park-luxury-condos-community-amenities-albany-deal-article-1.944386|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/politics/political_news/187956/brooklyn-bridge-park-luxury-housing-controversy-an-issue-in-public-advocate-race|title=Brooklyn Bridge Park Luxury Housing Controversy An Issue In Public Advocate Race|publisher=Manhattan.ny1.com|access-date=September 29, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927080104/http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/politics/political_news/187956/brooklyn-bridge-park-luxury-housing-controversy-an-issue-in-public-advocate-race|url-status=dead}}</ref> Squadron also secured millions for a waterfront park project on the Lower East Side at Pier 42, along with Schumer,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://observer.com/2012/10/day-o-senator-squadron-and-u-s-senator-schumer-go-bananas-for-pier-42/|title=Day-O! Squadron and Schumer Go Bananas for Pier 42|date=October 1, 2012|work=Observer|access-date=2017-08-15|language=en-US}}</ref> and also helped secure the future of Governors Island.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/152-10/mayor-bloomberg-governor-paterson-assembly-speaker-silver-senator-squadron-announce|title=Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson, Assembly Speaker Silver, and Senator Squadron Announce Agreement on Development, Funding and Governance of Governors Island|date=April 11, 2010|work=The official website of the City of New York|access-date=2017-08-15|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815135430/http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/152-10/mayor-bloomberg-governor-paterson-assembly-speaker-silver-senator-squadron-announce|url-status=dead}}</ref> Squadron's proposal to link New York's wealthiest parks conservancies with under-resourced neighborhood parks<ref name=DanielL>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/25/opinion/can-a-tree-grow-in-brooklyn.html|title=Can a Tree Grow in the Bronx?|last=Squadron|first=Daniel L.|date=May 24, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|access-date=2017-08-15|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> resulted in hundreds of millions in new funding for community parks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/14/nyregion/new-york-citys-low-profile-parks-to-get-conservancies-help-and-some-cash.html|title=New York City's Low-Profile Parks to Get Conservancies' Help, and Some Cash|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W.|date=November 13, 2015|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2017-08-15|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2010, Squadron sponsored the law that brought billions in federal dollars to New York City's public housing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/111-10/mayor-bloomberg-hud-secretary-donovan-nycha-chairman-rhea-more-400-million-in|title=Mayor Bloomberg, HUD Secretary Donovan and NYCHA Chairman Rhea Announce More Than $400 Million in Public and Private Funding and $65-$75 Million in Annual Federal Funding to Support More Than 20,000 Public Housing Units|date=March 15, 2010|work=The official website of the City of New York|access-date=2017-08-15|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815135120/http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/111-10/mayor-bloomberg-hud-secretary-donovan-nycha-chairman-rhea-more-400-million-in|url-status=dead}}</ref> Squadron also passed legislation expanding middle class eligibility for the Mitchell-Lama Housing Program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.downtownexpress.com/2013/12/04/income-limits-raised-at-southbridge-other-mitchell-lamas/|title=Income limits raised at Southbridge & other Mitchell-Lamas {{!}} DOWNTOWN EXPRESS|website=www.downtownexpress.com|date=December 4, 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-15|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815101039/http://www.downtownexpress.com/2013/12/04/income-limits-raised-at-southbridge-other-mitchell-lamas/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Squadron's tenure included a noted focus on ethics and campaign finance reform.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Capitol-Watch-Hygiene-products-in-jails-vacant-11777945.php|title=Capitol Watch: Hygiene products in jails; vacant Senate seat|work=SFGate|access-date=2017-08-15|archive-date=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814172837/http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Capitol-Watch-Hygiene-products-in-jails-vacant-11777945.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> He passed the law prohibiting public officers from using government resources for their own for-profit business.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/72238-ethics-law-ends-officials-mixing-private-and-government-business/|title=Ethics Law Ends Officials Mixing Private and Government Business|work=WNYC|access-date=2017-08-15|language=en}}</ref> Squadron also unsuccessfully pushed to close the "LLC Loophole," which allows nearly unlimited, often anonymous campaign contributions to flood the political process.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gothamgazette.com/state/7122-dan-squadron-fought-the-llc-loophole-and-the-loophole-won|title=Dan Squadron Fought the LLC Loophole and the Loophole Won|last=Silberstein|first=Rachel|work=Gotham Gazette|access-date=2017-08-15|language=en-gb}}</ref>

On August 9, 2017, Squadron announced his resignation from the Senate in an opinion piece published in the ''Daily News.''<ref name="Why I'm leaving the N.Y. Senate"/> He cited "heavily invested special interests" and "cynical political deals," adding: "And the status quo has proven extraordinarily durable: It barely shuddered when the leaders of both legislative chambers [Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver] were convicted of corruption."

===Race for New York City Public Advocate=== {{main|2013 New York City Public Advocate election}} In the race for Public Advocate, Squadron had the endorsements of mentor Senator Chuck Schumer, and former Public Advocates Betsy Gotbaum and Mark Green.<ref name=debate/> Squadron placed second in the primary and advanced to an October 2013 runoff primary,<ref name="debate">{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Kate|title=Bitter Tone in Debate Between Public Advocate Rivals|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/nyregion/bitter-tone-in-debate-between-public-advocate-rivals.html|access-date=September 26, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Javier|title=Democratic Runoff Is Likely in Contest for Public Advocate|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/nyregion/democratic-runoff-is-likely-in-contest-for-public-advocate.html|access-date=September 26, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 11, 2013}}</ref> which he lost to Letitia James, by 59% to 41%.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/politics&id=9268206 |title=Letitia James wins New York City Public Advocate primary in runoff |work=ABC News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005082244/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=9268206 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Post-Senate career === In August 2017, Squadron announced he would be working with entrepreneur Adam Pritzker and Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University on a national initiative focused on "stronger candidates, a sharpened approach and better policies at the state level", emphasizing "policies focused on creating a better, healthier, fairer future".<ref name="Why I'm leaving the N.Y. Senate"/> In October 2017, that initiative was launched as [https://www.futurenowusa.org/ Future Now]. The initiative is now known as The States Project.<ref>{{cite web |title=The States Project |url=https://statesproject.org/ |website=The States Project |access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Corasaniti |first1=Nick |title=How a Little-Known Group Helped Resurgent Democrats Wield Power |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/us/politics/states-project-democrats.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=25 September 2023 |date=25 September 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life== Squadron is married to Elizabeth Weinstein, a former director in Mayor Bloomberg's Office of Operations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Amira |first=Dan |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/all-new/53365/|title=New Junior Senator: Daniel Squadron |magazine=New York Magazine |date=January 9, 2009 |access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> The couple were set up by Schumer and his wife, Iris Weinshall, for whom Weinstein worked as chief of staff at the New York City Department of Transportation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/18/nyregion/senator-senator-make-me-a-match-for-staff-schumer-is-cupid.html?pagewanted=all|title=Senator, Senator, Make Me a Match: For Staff, Schumer Is Cupid|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Squadron lives in Carroll Gardens with his wife and two sons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nysenate.gov/senators/daniel-l-squadron/about|title=Biography}}</ref>

According to Squadron, a trust fund established for him and 18 other family members was lost in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130730/BLOGS04/130729872|title='Trust fund' pol says Madoff fleeced him| date=July 29, 2013 |publisher=Crainsnewyork.com|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityandstateny.com/daniel-squadron-sued-madoff-victims/ |title=» Daniel Squadron Being Sued By Madoff Trustee | City & State |publisher=Cityandstateny.com |date=January 23, 2012 |access-date=September 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927092239/http://www.cityandstateny.com/daniel-squadron-sued-madoff-victims/ |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== * [http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/daniel-l-squadron New York State Senate: Daniel L. Squadron] * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=110444 | fec= | congress= }} *{{C-SPAN|110358}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Squadron, Dan}} Category:1979 births Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature Category:Candidates in the 2013 United States elections Category:Democratic Party New York (state) state senators Category:Jewish state legislators in New York (state) Category:Living people Category:People from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Category:People from Riverdale, Bronx Category:Yale University alumni