Shelley Mayer is a Democratic and Working Families member of the New York State Senate, representing District 37 in Westchester County, including northeast Yonkers, Eastchester, Scarsdale, Sound Shore communities, White Plains, North Castle, and Pound Ridge. Elected in a special election on April 24, 2018, following George Latimer's resignation, she was re-elected in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. Prior to the Senate, she served in the New York State Assembly for District 90 , representing Yonkers. Notable achievements include chairing the Senate Education Committee since 2019, advocating for increased funding for schools serving students with disabilities, passing legislation to reduce reliance on standardized tests in teacher evaluations, authorizing new public schools in Yonkers, and leading on reproductive health, EMS worker protections, utility rate reforms, and immigrant rights. She also holds leadership roles such as Deputy Majority Leader for State/Federal Relations and previously for Senate/Assembly Relations .

Education and Political Experience

• Professional Background: Attorney with a career focused on civil rights, families, and education; served as Assistant Attorney General , Chief Counsel to New York State Senate Democrats , Senior Counsel at Columbia Law School's National State Attorney General Program , and Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at Continuum Health Partners.
• Early Political Runs: Unsuccessful bid for Assembly in 2006 against Republican Mike Spano.
• *Assembly Service *: Elected in special election March 20, 2012; chaired Education Subcommittee on Students with Special Needs , securing funding increases for Special Act, 4201, 853, and 4410 schools; prioritized Yonkers public schools .
• *Senate Service *: Chair, Education Committee; member of committees including Cities, Corporations/Authorities/Commissions, Elections, Judiciary, Labor, and Rules; recognized as 2025 Women of Distinction Honoree and Veterans' Hall of Fame Honoree.