Biography:

Gary L. Ackerman was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and resides in Queens, N.Y. He received a bachelor's degree from Queens College in 1965. He taught social studies for five years in the New York City school system.

In 1970, he founded a series of community newspapers in Queens, which he edited and published. He served in the New York State Senate, 1979-83.

He was first elected to the U.S. House in a 1983 special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of Democratic Rep. Benjamin Rosenthal.

He and his wife, Rita, have three children.

Past Campaigns:

Gary Ackerman was elected to the U.S. House in a special March 1983 election with 50 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Albert Lemishow. Ackerman was re-elected to four consecutive full terms and was unopposed in 1990. He was re-elected in 1992 with 52 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Allan Binder. He defeated Republican Grant Lally in 1994 with 55 percent of the vote. He was re-elected in 1996 with 63 percent of the vote, defeating Lally. In 1998, he defeated Republican David Pinzon with 65 percent of the vote.

In 2000, he defeated Republican Edward Elkowitz with 68 percent of the vote. In 2002 he ran unopposed.

Ackerman served in the New York Senate, 1979-83.

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