The Father: Steve Cohn’s Next Step

Steve Cohn, who currently serves as state committeeman for the 50th Assembly District in Kings County, recently announced that he will not be seeking re-election. He is, however, just as involved in local politics as ever. After two years serving as vice chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee—in addition to secretary for the Brooklyn Democratic Party—Cohn was reappointed to the post.

Cohn is now one of thirteen co-chairs of the New York State Democratic Committee.

Greenpoint Gazette: What is the function and role of New York State Democratic Committee?

Steve Cohn: The two major parties in each State Assembly District, of which there are 150, have a male committee person and a female committee person. Unique to the County of Kings, the committeeperson also serves as district leader for that party. In other boroughs, sometimes the district leader is different than the committee person. This year is most exciting in the New York State Democratic Committee because we get to nominate the candidate for Governor and State Comptroller. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Chuck Schumer are up for re-election, and we are nominating our two current senators, which came up uniquely this year. We will also be nominating Attorney General.
In a year, year and a half when there’s a presidential election it will become very busy because we will set the rules for the nomination of the presidential delegates and alternate delegates. There is an alternate party structure that must be approved, especially if there is no incumbent. It takes about a year to put that together. That is interfaced with the National Democratic Committee, and they have their own rules about participation.

GG: How did you get the job? Is this a volunteer position? Are you appointed or elected?

SC: I was recommended to the New York State Democratic Committee by several different people. I have been a state committeeman for over twenty years, and that’s part of it. There are people who are vice chairs who are not elected state committeepeople—they are activists and others community residents.

GG: So, why were you chosen?

SC: I have a very good relationship with many people in the Democratic Party across the continuum of it, and I try at times to be more of a diplomat than a politician.

GG: Why are you interested in serving? What will your primary responsibilities be as Co-Chair of the New York State Democratic Party?

SC: I was born into it. My dad was a state assemblyman when [Asssemblyman] Joe Lentol’s dad was a senator. I believe in democracy so very much, and I am a born and raised democrat. I believe the Democratic Party has a great sensitivity to the average person and their needs. I don’t get paid, and I want to give back to my community. I want to help people and to do mitzvahs and change people’s lives. I think I’ve been able to do that and I hope to continue on whatever level [the Democratic Party] wants me to do it. It’s great to be able to help somebody. This is hobby but I try to give back, it’s what I do.

GG: Last question: Can you address your decision not to seek re-election, and instead to run your son in your place? Does it have to do with not wanting to campaign?

SC: I’ve had challengers in the past, and I enjoy campaigning, but I think there was a call for young people to get involved. It was a good slap in the face to me, but it’s right: we do need young people in the Democratic Party. So I turned and I looked at my son, who is a young democrat, very involved, a Katrina graduate from Tulane, and he’s a doer. I spoke to him and asked if he was interested. I am proud, and I’m also proud that he’s not being designated—he’s running in the primary. He’s going to earn it. That’s how I did it—I had a three-way primary. Earn it, work for it. I do think I’ll be campaigning more because my son’s running than I would if I were running!

Appointed to State Committee, I will be continuing in this wonderful world of politics and diplomacy, and paying a little more attention to my law practice. I also currently serve as Secretary of the Kings County Democratic Party, so I’m busy!

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