ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A Democratic lawmaker from Buffalo will be the first woman and first African American to serve as the majority leader in the New York state Assembly.
Crystal Peoples-Stokes was tapped for the Assembly’s No. 2 position by Speaker Carl Heastie on Monday.
The 66-year-old lawmaker was first elected to the Assembly in 2002. A former teacher and county legislator, Peoples-Stokes is known as an advocate for reforms to the state’s criminal justice system and has emerged as a leading supporter of legalizing recreational marijuana.
Her elevation is a significant win for western New York, as it could increase the region’s influence in the state Capitol.
Peoples-Stokes says she is honored to have been chosen and will use her new position to help all New Yorkers.
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