Peter Vallone, Sr.

Peter Fortunate Vallone Sr. (born December 13, 1934) is an American politician and attorney from the state of New York. A Democrat, Vallone served on the New York City Council from 1974 to 2001 and served as speaker of the Council from 1990 to 2001. Vallone was the Democratic candidate for governor of New York in 1998, losing the election to Republican incumbent Gov. George Pataki.

Background and education

Peter Vallone Sr. was the first Speaker of the New York City Council to be born in the borough of Queens in New York City. Vallone's father, Judge Charles J. Vallone (1901–1967) of the Queens County Civil Court, encouraged young Peter to broaden his horizons beyond the limited social interactions with other ethnic and religious groups that were discouraged in the pre-Vatican II era. His mother, Leah Palmigiano Vallone, was a teacher and a Democratic State Committeewoman.

Vallone attended Fordham University, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1956 and his law degree in 1959.

Political career A Democrat, Vallone represented Astoria, Queens on the New York City Council from 1974 to 2001. He became the first Speaker of the City Council in 1990, serving in that capacity until 2001.

Vallone drafted changes to the City Charter in 1989 that he claimed allowed the Council more influence on the budget.

Vallone was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1998. As the Democratic nominee, he received 1,570,317 votes (33.16%), losing to Republican incumbent George Pataki. Vallone was also notably the first ever candidate endorsed by the Working Families Party, with the party receiving 51,325 votes for Vallone via fusion voting.

Vallone also ran for Mayor of New York City in 2001, placing third in the Democratic primary.

Later career Vallone has taught political science at Baruch College. His autobiography, Learning to Govern: My Life in New York Politics, From Hell Gate to City Hall, described his years in government. He practices law in Astoria with his son, Peter Vallone Jr., who succeeded him in the City Council in 2002. After he retired from politics, Vallone founded a lobbying firm with a partner, Constantinople and Vallone

In 2005, Vallone endorsed Republican Michael Bloomberg for Mayor of New York City. In 2009, he endorsed a former rival in the mayoral race, Mark Green, who attempted to win back the job of Public Advocate.

Personal life Vallone married his wife, Tena, in 1958.

Electoral history