James Sanders Jr. is a Democratic member of the New York State Senate, representing the 10th District in Queens, which includes neighborhoods such as Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale, and parts of Far Rockaway. A lifelong public servant, Marine Corps veteran, and advocate for working-class families, education, and economic opportunities, he has served since January 2013 and is currently in his sixth term as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks. Notable achievements include authoring key legislation like the Fair Wage Act to raise the minimum wage, the toughest anti-predatory lending bill in the country, and Local Law 129 strengthening minority- and women-owned business enterprise programs, which expanded certified firms from 700 to over 3,500 and secured over $3 billion in city contracts; he also led efforts to reinstitute affirmative action policies for MWBEs and criminalize ammunition sales to minors.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in History from Brooklyn College .
• Military Service: United States Marine Corps.
• Early Roles: Served on Queens School Board District 27 for ten years ; worked in the nonprofit sector on youth and education issues.
• *New York City Council *: Elected in an underdog win; first African-American Chair of the Economic Development Committee; oversaw Economic Development Corporation and Department of Small Business Services; rebuilt parks and libraries; formed coalition against sexual assaults in Queens.
• *New York State Senate *: Elected in 2012 with 56% of the vote; reelected without opposition since; former Ranking Member of Labor Committee; advocate for unions, fair wages, and MWBEs on Mayor de Blasio’s Advisory Council.