Affiliated Political Party: Democratic
Office seeking: NYS Senate (NYS District 40)
Career Highlights:
- Elected to the New York State Senate in November 2018, and re-elected in November 2020, he is chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, where he has introduced over 40 bills dealing with substance use disorder and combating the overdose crisis.
- Won record investments in school funding, brought an additional $3.2 billion in Foundation Aid to districts, expanded Pre-K programs
- Passed the Reproductive Health Act, ensuring women in New York can make their own reproductive health choices
- Passed landmark legislation to require zero emissions vehicles by 2035
- Protected clean drinking water sources and passed the toughest climate protection law in the nation
- Worked to keep residents safe during the Covid-19 pandemic: held 11 food drives, delivered PPE, handled thousands of requests for assistance
- Continued the middle-class tax cuts for over $4 billion in savings and maintained the STAR program at full benefit for residents
- Kept our community safe with increased funding for law enforcement and gun violence interruption
Governing Philosophy:
- Through most of his career, Pete has been an active supporter and participant in the work of various nonprofit organizations. From 2004 to 2007, he served as board president of A-HOME, a nonprofit that builds and manages affordable housing in northern Westchester. At the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, which supports environmental protection and education for underserved communities, he served as vice chair of the board for 13 years. Also, Harckham has served on the President’s Council for Northern Westchester Hospital; and the boards of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Junior League of Northern Westchester Community Advisory Council and the Livable Communities Council.
Main focus of term, if elected:
- Chairman of Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
- Democrat, Working Families