Taylor Darling
Taylor Darling | |
|---|---|
_Taylor_Darling.jpg) | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 18th district | |
| In office January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Earlene Hooper |
| Succeeded by | Noah Burroughs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 21, 1983 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Reginald Rene |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Spelman College (BA) Hofstra University (MA) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | State Assembly website |
Taylor Darling (née Raynor) is an American psychologist and politician who served in the New York State Assembly representing the 18th District from 2019 to 2024. A Democrat, she represents part of Nassau County.
Early life and education
[edit]Darling was born in Brooklyn to Raulston and Towana Bertley. Her father was of British, Nigerian, and Trinidadian descent and a convert to Judaism.[1] She graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Hofstra University with a Master of Arts in industrial/organizational psychology.[2]
Political career
[edit]Darling challenged incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Earlene Hooper in 2018. During a candidate forum, Hooper compared the race to a plantation and claimed Darling was a tool for White power brokers in the majority Black district.[3] An anonymous mailer called Darling a "jezebel" and urged voters to "vote against fake Democrat and fake Christian Rayner [Darling]. Jesus sees your vote."[4] She ultimately defeated Hooper in the Democratic primary with 52% of the vote.[5]
2024 State Senate campaign
[edit]Darling announced her campaign for the 6th district of the New York State Senate in 2024 after incumbent Democrat Kevin Thomas announced his intention to run for the United States House of Representatives.[6] She lost the primary to Nassau County Legislature member Siela Bynoe.[7]
2026 U.S. House campaign
[edit]Darling announced in February 2026 that she is running in the 2026 midterm elections for U.S. House, challenging incumbent representative Laura Gillen in the Democratic primary. She said that she was recruited to run after Gillen voted in January to increase funding for the United States Department of Homeland Security.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ Gronich, Marc (June 29, 2022). "Christian Assemblywoman Ponders Jewish Conversion". The Jewish Press. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ↑ Costello, Alex (October 25, 2022). "Candidate Profile: Taylor Darling Running For Assembly District 18". Patch. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ↑ Campanile, Carl (July 30, 2018). "Long Island pol invokes 'plantation' politics in racially-charged rant". New York Post. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ↑ "Assembly candidate says anonymous mailers are 'dirty politics'". News 12 Networks. September 12, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ↑ Bolger, Timothy (September 13, 2018). "Newcomer Raynor Declares Victory Over Deputy Speaker Hooper". Long Island Press. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ↑ Lewis, Rebecca; Ostreicher, Skye (September 27, 2023). "Taylor Darling announces state Senate bid". City & State. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ↑ Malaszczyk, Michael (June 26, 2024). "Nassau County Primary Election Results: Siela Bynoe Defeats Taylor Darling In Primary To Replace Kevin Thomas". Long Island Press. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ Coltin, Jeff (February 15, 2026). "Former Assembly member plans to primary Rep. Laura Gillen over ICE funding vote". City & State. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
External links
[edit]
- 1983 births
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century members of the New York State Legislature
- Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly
- Hofstra University alumni
- Living people
- People from Hempstead (village), New York
- Politicians from Brooklyn
- Spelman College alumni
- Women state legislators in New York (state)