Tony Avella

Who is Tony Avella?

Tony Avella is an American politician and Democratic State Senator from the 11th New York Senate district. Avella was a member of the New York City Council from the borough of Queens from 2002 to 2009. He represented the 19th Council District, which includes neighborhoods of College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park, Beechhurst, Malba and Auburndale.

He served as the Chair of the Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee and was a member of five other Council committees: Higher Education, Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services, Land Use, and Veterans. He was the founder and Chair of the first Italian-American Caucus of the Council.

Avella opted not to run for a third term of the City Council, in order to run in the 2009 Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. He received publicity for his stances in favor of animal rights and against overdevelopment, but was defeated by Bill Thompson.

He is a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York. A lifelong Queens resident, he currently resides in Whitestone with his wife Judith.

On November 2, 2010, Avella defeated incumbent district 11 New York State Senator Frank Padavan.