Demond Meeks
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Demond Meeks
| image = (01-24-23) NYS Demond Meeks.jpg
| state_assembly = New York
| district = 137th
| term_start = November 12, 2020
| term_end =
| predecessor = David Gantt
| party = Democratic
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|02|05}}
| birth_place = Rochester, New York, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| profession =
| spouse =
| children =
| education = SUNY-Brockport (B.A.)
|signature=Desmond Meeks Signature.png
| website = {{URL|https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Demond-Meeks|Official website}}
{{URL|https://www.votedemondmeeks.com|Campaign website}}
}}
Demond Meeks is an American union organizer and politician who currently serves in the New York State Assembly from the 137th district as a member of the Democratic Party.{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Demond-Meeks/|title=Assemblymember Demond Meeks|publisher=New York State Assembly|access-date=November 26, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Demond_Meeks|title=Demond Meeks|publisher=Ballotpedia|access-date=November 26, 2020}} Meeks is the second African American to represent Monroe County in the Assembly; David Gantt, his predecessor, was the first.
Early career
After graduating from Monroe Community College and SUNY-Brockport, Meeks began working as a labor organizer. He serves as an administrative organizer for 1199SEIU, and is an active member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. He has received additional labor-related trainings and certifications from Cornell University.
New York State Assembly
In 2020, Assemblyman David Gantt announced that he would not seek reelection to the 137th district. Meeks announced his campaign for the seat, and won the Democratic primary against county legislator Ernest Flagler and two other candidates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/07/08/democratic-primary-romeo-bronson-cooney-meeks-clark-among-winners/5401403002/|title= Romeo roars back in Dem primary; Clark, Meeks, Bronson and Cooney win|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|author=Steve Orr and Sean Lahman|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=November 26, 2020}} He faced no opposition in the general election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wxxinews.org/post/demond-meeks-wins-assembly-seat-held-david-gantt|title= Demond Meeks wins Assembly seat held by David Gantt|website=WXXI News|author=David Andreatta|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 26, 2020}} As Gantt had died over the summer, leaving the seat vacant, Meeks was sworn in early on November 12, 2020.{{Cite web|url= https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/your-local-election-hq/democrats-sarah-clark-demond-meeks-sworn-in-for-nys-136-137-districts/|title= Democrats Sarah Clark, Demond Meeks sworn in for NYS Assembly 136, 137 Districts |website=Rochester First|author=WROC Staff|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=November 26, 2020}}
Personal life
Meeks lives in Rochester with his wife, Cratrina, and their children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.votedemondmeeks.com/about|title=Meet Demond|publisher=Demond Meeks, Democrat for State Assembly|access-date=November 26, 2020}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{New York State Assembly}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meeks, Demond}}
Category:Politicians from Rochester, New York
Category:Monroe Community College alumni
Category:State University of New York at Brockport alumni
Category:New York (state) Democrats
Category:African-American state legislators in New York (state)
Category:21st-century African-American politicians
Category:20th-century African-American politicians
Category:Coalition of Black Trade Unionists people
Category:Trade unionists from New York (state)
Category:African-American trade unionists
Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature