| Will Barclay | |
|---|---|
| Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Kolb |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 120th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Warner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Anson Barclay (1969-01-05) January 5, 1969 (age 55) Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Margaret Barclay |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | H. Douglas Barclay (father) |
| Education | St. Lawrence University (BA) Syracuse University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | State Assembly website |
William Anson Barclay (born January 5, 1969) is an American politician and attorney from the State of New York. A Republican, he has served in the New York State Assembly since 2003. In January 2020, Barclay was elected to the position of Assembly Minority Leader.
Early life, family, education, and law practice
Barclay was born in Syracuse, New York to H. Douglas Barclay and Dee Dee Barclay. His father, who serves as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador and as chair of the Republican Conference in the New York State Senate, was "among the most influential Republicans in New York state during a 52-year political career".
Barclay earned his B.A. from St. Lawrence University in 1992 and his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1995. After graduating from law school, he served as a clerk for Roger Miner, a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Barclay is a partner in the law firm of Barclay Damon.
Political career
Barclay was first elected to the State Assembly on November 5, 2002, defeating Democrat E. Clyde Ohl by a margin of 21,848 to 14,594. He took office in 2003. Barclay won the November 2008 general election with 67 percent of the vote and ran uncontested in the November 2010 and 2012 general elections. A Republican, Barclay represents the 120th District in the New York State Assembly. As of 2024, the 120th district includes Oswego County and portions of Cayuga and Jefferson Counties.
Barclay ran for New York State Senate in New York's 48th Senate district in a 2008 special election. He sought to replace former Senator Jim Wright, who stepped down. Barclay lost the election to Democratic Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine on February 27, 2008.
On January 7, 2020, Barclay was unanimously elected to the post of Assembly Minority Leader by his Republican colleagues following the resignation of Brian Kolb. He previously served as Deputy Minority Leader, as chair of the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, and as ranking member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Personal life
Barclay and his wife, Margaret, are the parents of two sons: Harry and George. As of 2020, the Barclays lived on a 500-acre farm in Pulaski, New York where nine generations of Barclays have resided. Their home was built by Barclay's fourth great-grandfather.
References
- "US. Index to Public Records". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
- "Assembly Member William A. 'Will' Barclay (NY)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
- ^ "William A. Barclay (R), District 124". Capitol Info. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
- ^ Weiner, Mark (January 7, 2020). "Meet Will Barclay, NY Assembly's new Republican leader". syracuse.com.
- ^ "Meet Will Barclay, NY Assembly's new Republican leader". newyorkupstate. January 7, 2020.
- ^ "William A. Barclay: Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
- ^ Campbell, Jon (January 7, 2020). "Will Barclay elected Assembly minority leader after Brian Kolb steps down". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
- ^ McChesney, Charles (February 21, 2008). "Will Barclay: Republican had his party's nomination sewn up within days". Syracuse.com.
- Reitz, Matthew (November 7, 2008). "Barclay wins 9th term in state Assembly". Oswego County News Now.
- "Election Results 2008: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2008.
- "Assembly Election Returns: November 4, 2008" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2008.
- "Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2010.
- "Assembly Election Returns: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- "2012 Election results: How Syracuse and Central New York voted". Syracuse.com. November 8, 2012.
- "Biography". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- McChesney, Charles (February 17, 2008). "Barclay declares for Wright's Senate seat". Syracuse.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2008.
- Lee, Trymaine (February 27, 2008). "Upset Sends Democrat to Albany". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- Vielkind, Jimmy (January 5, 2020). "New York State Assembly Republicans to Pick New Leader After Kolb Steps Aside". WSJ.
- Lyons, Brendan (January 6, 2020). "Barclay in line for Assembly leadership post after Kolb's exit". Times Union.
| New York State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byBob Warner | Member of the New York Assembly from the 120th district 2003–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded byBrian Kolb | Minority Leader of the New York Assembly 2020–present | |
| Elected and appointed statewide political officials of New York | ||
|---|---|---|
| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government | ||
| Senate | ||
| Assembly |
| |
| Court of Appeals (appointed) | ||
| Members of the New York State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
205th New York Legislature (2023–2024)
| ||
|  | |
| ||