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| Assemblyman Stephens represents the 99th District of ] which encompasses the municipalities of ], ], ], ], in ]; ], ], and ] in ]; and ] in ]. His family has maintained a vice grip on this seat for eighty years: his grand-father, D. Mallory Stephens, held this seat from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1952 to 1982; and Mr. Stephens himself has served from 1994 to present day. | Assemblyman Stephens represents the 99th District of ] which encompasses the municipalities of ], ], ], ], in ]; ], ], and ] in ]; and ] in ]. His family has maintained a vice grip on this seat for eighty years: his grand-father, D. Mallory Stephens, held this seat from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1952 to 1982; and Mr. Stephens himself has served from 1994 to present day. | ||
| Mr. Stephens is a member of the law firm of ], in ], ]. He was awarded a ] degree from ] school of Law in 1980 and received a ] degree from ] in 1977. Assemblyman Stephens is a member of the ], ], and ] ]. | Mr. Stephens is a member of the law firm of ], in ], ]. He was awarded a ] degree from ] school of Law in 1980 and received a ] degree from ] in 1977. Assemblyman Stephens is a member of the ], ], and ] ]. He is one of only three Republicans in the Assembly to be endorsed by ]. | ||
| ==Assemblyman Stephens Calls Constituents ‘Idiots’== | ==Assemblyman Stephens Calls Constituents ‘Idiots’== | ||
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Revision as of 07:07, 22 January 2006
Hon. Willis “Will” Stephens Jr. (born 1954) is a Republican politician representing the 99th District of the New York State Assembly. He is best known for a June 2005 gaffe where he referred to his constituents as "idiots". Mr. Stephens, his wife, Ginny, and their three children reside in Brewster, New York.
Political Career and Background
Assemblyman Stephens represents the 99th District of New York which encompasses the municipalities of Mahopac, Carmel, Southeast, Brewster, in Putnam County; Yorktown, Somers, and North Salem in Westchester County; and Pawling in Duchess County. His family has maintained a vice grip on this seat for eighty years: his grand-father, D. Mallory Stephens, held this seat from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1952 to 1982; and Mr. Stephens himself has served from 1994 to present day.
Mr. Stephens is a member of the law firm of Stephens and Charbonneau, in Brewster, New York. He was awarded a Juris Doctor degree from St. John's University school of Law in 1980 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in 1977. Assemblyman Stephens is a member of the Ways and Means, Insurance, and Judiciary Committees. He is one of only three Republicans in the Assembly to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood.
Assemblyman Stephens Calls Constituents ‘Idiots’
In June of 2005, Stephens sent an email to a discussion group, or "listserv" that focuses on the community of Brewster. He thought the message was going to Beth Coursen, an aide in his Assembly district office. Instead he sent his reply to all subscribers, referring to them as pontificating idiots.
Text of Stephen’s Email
Re: Comments on Stephens Campaign Website
more interesting crap.
I'm "on" 10509 to monitor what is going on in Brewster. I do not post anymore. Just watching the idiots pontificate. Keeping informed is important and it also gives me a window to what GB and some of his supporters are thinking.
Let me know how you think we should proceed with the website. I'd like to get it up and running before too long and don't want to hurt Michele and Jay ... I like them and they are talented. Maybe a collaboration of some sort? I'll let you be my guide.
What's the scuttlebutt on the election ... is Hauser circulating a Conservative petition ... are you going to do an opportunity to ballot on the "D" line? How about an independent line ... like the Save Pawling Party or "Chicks with Balls Party" or some such thing?
If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0 ) ... I don't think I'm around this weekend for Guinans ... sounds like a blast though.
Got pozzi's announcement in the AM and then its back to the Law Office .... I feel like I've been away for a month!
Later, Will
Stephens' e-mail also included what some might consider to be offensive remarks direct towards his intended recipient, Coursen.
"If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0) ..." he added.
The discussion group, called "Brewster10509", has a web site describing what the list is for. Members are free to post anything that has to do with government, education, community organizations and a host of other things related to Brewster and the surrounding Town of Southeast.
See Also
External links
- ABC: Lawmaker Apologizes For Calling Constituents 'Idiots'
- New York Post: IDIOT POL RIPS VOTERS IN MASS E-MAIL SLIP
- Journal News: Errant e-mail post from assemblyman calls Brewster villagers 'idiots'
- AP: Politician Tells Voters They're Idiots
- Poughkeepsie Journal: E-mail gaffe leaves lawmaker red-faced
- Washington Post: 'Hey Morons, I'm sorry...'
- Fox News: Politican tells voter they're idiots
- WSMTV: Assemblyman's wayward email refers to voters as idiots
- Assemblyman Willis Stephens, 99th District of New York
- Planned Parenthood of NY Endorsements
| Preceded byGeorge Pataki | Assemblyman, 99th District of New York 1994– |
Succeeded byIncumbent |