Frankie Bernstein
From Usgs
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| United States Senator | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Office: 2008 - 2011 | ||||
| Preceded by | Sophie Alliot | |||
| Succeeded by | Matthew Wilson | |||
| Born | May 26, 1962 New York City, New York | |||
| Political Party | Democratic Party | |||
| Spouse | Elizabeth Heathrow | |||
| Religion | Judaism | |||
Contents |
Education and Early Career
Frances Esther Bernstein was born to an upper-class Jewish family in New York's Upper East Side in 1966. Known for her Queens accent, sharp intellect, good looks, public speaking skills, "machine gun" laugh, and nasal voice, Frankie became the darling of New York's social circles early on in her life. After graduating from Columbia University in 1982 with a Masters in Public Policy, she became known as the youngest of the "Manhattan Matrons", a group of wealthy women known for their connections to musical, theater, and fashion personalities and fabulous parties.
Bernstein used this influence and name recognition to propel her to a victory in the 1992 primary for Manhattan Borough President and, later that year, the general election. She served in that position for four years, from 1993 to 1997, and is known to a lesser extent for offering assistance to then-mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign to renovate several urban sections of New York, including Times Square.
During her term as Borough President, another angry socialite, Betty Ross, outed the then-closeted Frankie by exposing the details of their five year relationship to the public. Bernstein took this in stride, making conspicuous efforts to support Manhattan's gay community and becoming Director of the New York Human Rights Campaign after her term expired in 1997. She continued to serve in this position until 2004, when she was asked by her alma mater to serve as Chancellor, doing so for two years.
In response to the growing tide of anti-Republican sentiment in the nation and the vacancy left by popular Representative Chuck Rangel, Frankie opted to run for Representative of New York's Fifteenth Congressional District in 2006 with the support of her friends, family, and New York's LGBT community. In a convincing victory against her Republican opponent after a campaign marked by flair and panache, Frankie took office in 2007, one of several freshman Democratic congresspeople that was elected in that year's "blue wave".
Current Career
Not long after Frankie took office, New York's hugely-popular Senatorial heavyweight and Bernstein's personal friend, Sophie Alliot, resigned to the great dismay of her state and colleagues in New York's delegation to Congress. Soon after, Governor Eliot Spitzer hand-picked Representative Bernstein to fill her colleagues' shoes. On August 18, 2008, Frankie Bernstein took office as New York's Senior Senator, and has served since.
Accumulating a large record of bill introductions and the reputation as being an "outspoken decorum maverick" or "loud, out-of-place, tactless radical", depending on who is asked, Frankie Bernstein has been a vociferous advocate of the liberal values of her state. Her acid tongue has enabled her to respond to even quips about her sexual orientation; how her no-nonsense attitude will impact her popularity remains to be seen. Her brother is Noah Bernstein, socialite and Editor of Newsweek. Frankie was elected to the Senate in 2010, beating challenger Ray D'Ambra (R-Brooklyn) with over 55% of the vote.
Election Results
| Candidates | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Frankie Bernstein [D] | 53% | |
| Ruth Messinger [D] | 47% | |
| Total | 100% | |
| Candidates | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Frankie Bernstein [D] | 68% | |
| Moira Cole [WFP] | 18% | |
| Rufus Obey [R] | 14% | |
| Total | 100% | |
| Candidates | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Frankie Bernstein [D] | 62% | |
| Shari Pateel [WFP] | 38% | |
| Total | 100% | |
| Candidates | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Frankie Bernstein [D] | 55% | |
| Ray D'Ambra [R] | 45% | |
| Total | 100% | |
