Daniel O'Donnell (politician)

Daniel O'Donnell
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 69th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Edward C. Sullivan
Personal details
Born	(1960-11-17) November 17, 1960 (age 57) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	John Banta
Education	Catholic University George Washington University (BA) City University of New York, Queens (JD)
Website	Official website

Daniel J. O'Donnell (born November 17, 1960) is a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 69th district in Manhattan, made up of the neighborhoods of Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights, and portions of the Upper West Side and West Harlem.

In 2008 he was considered by New York Governor David Paterson to fill the Senate vacancy created by the appointment of Hillary Clinton as President Obama's Secretary of State. Paterson ultimately appointed upstate Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to the seat.

O'Donnell was the legislative sponsor of the Marriage Equality Act during its successful passage and signature into law on June 24, 2011.

Born in Queens, New York, O'Donnell is one of five siblings; American entertainer Rosie O'Donnell is his younger sister. Raised in Commack, New York on Long Island, he attended The Catholic University of America before transferring to George Washington University for his B.A. and received a J.D. degree from CUNY School of Law at Queens College.

He first ran for the legislature in 1998, making an unsuccessful bid for the New York State Senate in the 30th district, losing the Democratic primary to Eric Schneiderman. When Assemblyman Edward C. Sullivan announced his retirement in 2002, O'Donnell was one of eight Democrats who entered the race to succeed him. In the crowded primary election held on September 10, 2002, O'Donnell won 34 percent of the vote, twice as much as his nearest competitor. In the general election that followed, he prevailed with 82 percent of the vote.

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