Decision Maker

Andrea Stewart-Cousins

New York State Senate - District 35

District 35, New York

Andrea Alice Stewart-Cousins is a prominent American politician and educator from Yonkers, New York. As a dedicated member of the Democratic Party, she has represented District 35 in the New York State Senate since 2007. Stewart-Cousins made history by becoming the first woman to lead a conference in the New York State Legislature and the first female Senate Majority Leader in New York history, holding the position since 2019. She has also served as acting lieutenant governor of New York under Governor Kathy Hochul on two occasions, making her the first Black woman to hold this role, albeit in an acting capacity. Stewart-Cousins holds a Bachelor's degree and a Master's in Public Administration from Pace University, as well as a degree in Business Education from Lehman College. Her career includes roles such as Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers and Legislator for Westchester County. Prior to her political career, she worked in sales and marketing at AT&T.