Schneiderman (D)

On the Issues

Endorsements

Currently: NYS Attorney General (2011-present)

Previous Work: NYS Senate (D-31) (2003-2010); Chair, Democratic Senate Campaign Committee; Partner, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart

Education: BA, Amherst College; JD, Harvard University

On the Issues

• Civil Rights↓

  "[F]iled a legal challenge to the ... Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to compel the federal government to treat all New York State marriages equally"

• Economy↓

  Formed the Secure Our Smartphones Initiative, in collaboration with San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón, to "[encourage] the cell phone industry to adopt technologies to deter ... violent incidents of smartphone theft by drying up the secondary market on which stolen devices are sold."

  "[F]iled a lawsuit against HSBC Bank USA and HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) for failing to follow state law related to foreclosure actions, putting homeowners at greater risk of losing their homes" and plans to "[bring] similar actions against other mortgage lenders."

  Filed charges against Barclays for misrepresentation of high-frequency traders, and falsification of marketing materials: ""While we'll never have a perfectly level playing field, the public must have confidence that predatory traders aren't being given an unfair advantage over regular investors." NYTimes 

  Successfully prosecuted Quadriga Art LLC, a fundraising firm campaigning on behalf of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation for retaining 90% of money raised for mailing costs, resulting in the formation of an audit committee and a new board as well as the cessation of misleading fundraising claims. Wall Street Journal 

  Chairs the federal working group responsible for investigating the role of banks in the housing bubble. His office has directed that $90 million will go to "direct consumer relief to struggling consumers, which will include principal forgiveness on first and second mortgages, mortgage refinancing at lower interest rates and financial assistance for down payments and closing costs for first-time or returning home-buyers." Politics on the Hudson

• Environment↓

  Supports extensive governmental review and oversight of hydrofracking: "The court's decision to allow the state review of hydrofracking risks to continue is an important victory in our effort to ensure all New Yorkers have safe water to drink and a clean, healthy environment."  Democrat and Chronicle

  "[S]ued federal regulators to force a health and environmental impact review of proposed gas drilling in the Delaware River Basin"

  "[C]hallenged the Indian Point nuclear power plant's practices related to high-level radioactive waste storage, earthquake preparedness and fire safety"

• Government Accountability↓

  "[Expanded] his office's authority to investigate public corruption involving taxpayer funds by partnering with the state Comptroller."

  "[L]aunched a new 'Taxpayer Protection Bureau' to root out fraud and return money illegally stolen from New York taxpayers at no additional cost to the state."

  "[A]dopted new regulations requiring nonprofit groups, including 501(c)(4) 'social welfare' organizations that are registered with the state, to report the percentage of their expenditures that go to federal, state and local electioneering."

• Health Care↓

  "[P]roposed the 'Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act' ... [to create] a real-time, online database for doctors and pharmacists to report and track the prescribing and the dispensing of certain controlled substances."

  "[B]olstered the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which has ... recovered tens of millions of dollars."

  Introduced the Reproductive Rights Disclosure Act—sponsored by Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins—that would require employers to notify employees in writing of changes to their health insurance plans' coverage of birth control 90 days prior
  to the change, after the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision. Politics on the Hudson

  Stated that he will enforce "buffer zone" laws designed to prevent harassment at abortion clinics in the state of New York, despite the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in McCullen v. Coakley. Times Union

• Policing and Criminal Justice↓

  Advocates for improving information security via collaboration between industry and security experts. Enforced a 2005 law mandating that breached institutions notify the attorney general and affected individuals when private data—e.g. names, social security, driver's license—have been compromised. Crains New York 

Endorsements

Organizations: Village Independent Democrats; Bay Ridge Democrats; Tilden Democratic Club; Community Free Democrats; Three Parks Independent Democrats; United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500; New York State United Teachers; Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater NY; Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union; Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC; Empire State Pride Agenda

Individuals: Mayor Paul Dyster, Niagara Falls; Mayor Byron Brown, Buffalo; Executive Mark Poloncarz, Erie County; Executive Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County; Executive Mike Hein, Ulster County; Executive Ed Day, Rockland County