Randy Daniels
| Randy Daniels | |
|---|---|
| New York's 60th Secretary of State | |
|
In office 2001–2005 | |
| Preceded by | Alexander Treadwell |
| Succeeded by | Christopher Jacobs |
| Deputy Mayor New York City | |
|
In office 1992–1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1950 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels |
| Children | 2 and 1 step-daughter |
| Residence | Westchester, New York |
| Website | http://randydaniels.com/ |
Randy Daniels (born 1950) is an American journalist and educator who served as Secretary of State of New York from 2001 to 2005. He resides in Westchester, New York and is currently employed as Vice Chairman of Gilford Securities, a real estate investing firm.
Daniels was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York in 1997 and currently serves as Vice Chairman. He was previously the senior vice president for economic revitalization at the Empire State Development Corporation. He was nominated for both positions by former Governor George Pataki. Daniels launched an unsuccessful Republican primary bid for Governor of New York in 2006.
Daniels held important positions in a number of different government entities. He served as the Director of Communications for the New York City Council President's Office from 1986 to 1988, and was appointed Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of the Bahamas in 1988. In 1992, he briefly became Deputy Mayor of New York City under David Dinkins. Prior to his career in public service, Daniels worked for many years as a correspondent for CBS News and a Professor of Journalism.
Early career and background
Daniels grew up in Chicago in a housing project with his nine brothers and sisters, and later in his family's first home in suburban Markham, Illinois. He holds a bachelor's degree in government and journalism from Southern Illinois University. He is a former journalist and public relations professional.
He began his journalism career in Chicago, as a reporter for WVON radio. He was then employed with CBS News, first as a war correspondent for throughout the 1970s, and later as their Africa Bureau Chief in 1977. He became a familiar face on the evening news, covering eight wars and the Iranian Revolution. During this time he also worked adjunct Journalism professor at both the City College of New York and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.
Political career
In 1986 he became Communications Director for Andrew J. Stein, President of the New York City Council. He later became Press Secretary for the Prime Minister of the Bahamas in 1988.
Daniels began his career as a Democrat, but changed his party registration to Republican in 2002. He was briefly the Deputy Mayor of New York City under former Mayor David Dinkins. He was appointed as Pataki's Secretary of State in 2001 and served in that capacity until 2005. He was considered a possible running mate for Pataki in 2002 for lieutenant governor.
2006 race for governor
Daniels was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of New York in 2006. He was considered the most articulate speaker in the race[1] and gained support from party leaders in Central New York, particularly in Syracuse. Daniels also won support from leaders of the state's Conservative Party. Secretary Daniels is considered by many to be the most conservative candidate in the 2006 gubernatorial campaign, and if successful would have been the first black governor in the history of the state of New York.
On April 9, 2006 it was reported that Daniels would end his campaign the next day and endorse former Assembly Minority Leader John Faso for governor. He denied that he was seeking to be Faso's running mate for lieutenant governor. Faso later choose Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef as his running mate.
Daniels is considered a possible future candidate for Governor of New York, the State Senate, Congress or Republican State Chairman.
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External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alexander Treadwell |
Secretary of State of New York 2001 - 2005 |
Succeeded by Frank Milano Acting |
