born march democratic new_york state senator represented state 60th senate district includes parts buffalo city town grand island thompson previously served years district thompson lifelong held political politically related professional positions buffalo service politics thompson appointed city council twice elected discouraged pursuing interest election united_states house_of_representatives encouraged pursue new_york senate seat nominated democratic_party seat available special election general election seat victorious thompson challenged primary current holder seat victorious november election thompson won way primary battle lost democrat ran republican election republican personal born buffalo new_york thompson graduate received bachelor science history raised buffalo graduate public schools son husband father high school served captain cross country track field teams earned western new york honors thompson member alpha alpha early career starting served years legislative assistant early named executive director community development corporation endeavors improve business opportunities minorities city brown elected november thompson favored appointment brown city council successor thompson sworn district city january appointed east district included buffalo african american population brief african american majority thompson appointed half term ended following subsequent elections september november african americans lost majority council voted racial lines margin shrink common council thirteen members eliminating large positions held african americans city voters endorsed proposal margin largely went racial lines thompson retained council position elections thompson served delegate democratic national convention thompson fought crime economic district attempted foster economic development encourage support worker training buffalo east included district hub employment activity lured suburban residents thompson engaged urban planning restore public parks city sponsored resolution continued military involvement iraq war higher office thompson began testing waters higher office raised campaign funds consulted party leaders possibility challenging united_states house_of_representatives year old term veteran slaughter new_york 28th congressional district percent african american minorities comprised nearly percent democratic primary vote warned slaughter strong ties strong support labor women pro choice groups thompson encouraged pursue brown new_york state senate seat filled special election february brown ascended mayor buffalo january following election district ratio registered democrats republicans chairman noted thompson timely entering special election process democratic committees bypassed thompson nominee favor despite brown backing thompson issued threat backing state senate seat challenge slaughter september primary election unimpressed threat noted thompson needed course terms win friends influence people brown odds political positions played major role brown election office mayor brown supported new_york attorney general lieutenant governor new_york thompson 60th senator disagreed choices brown claimed perceived racial slight pointed granted right pick successor thompson subsequently decided run new_york senate seat november general election won special election margin district democrats republicans thompson opposed incumbent senator cousin state september democratic primary year term senate thompson defeated vote defeated general election ran independent senator thompson assumed office upstate new_york district thompson took office january later defected democrats form core assumed assuming control democratic campaigns development retained position general election thompson chairman member oversaw legislation state incorporated cities urban policy position held immediate predecessors senate thompson served finance tourism veterans military affairs committees thompson assumed office continued fight economic economic plans special focus redevelopment land combat government bureaucracy effort thompson allied developer thompson arranged grant manhattan redevelopment company demolish properties thompson vocal spokesman bill raise state senator salaries lack raises buffalo city workers wrong refusing comment issue time thompson democratic unpopular policy allowing illegal aliens obtain driver licenses thompson senators november general election supported woman owned business certification opposes thompson voted favor sex marriage legislation december bill defeated won democratic_party nomination september primary election lengthy thompson lost general election days election thompson named pay play scandal received attempting secure lucrative state contract operate video slot machine casino queens new_york thompson hosted weekly radio broadcast noon
Antoine Thompson