Kemp Hannon
J. Kemp Hannon is an American politician. A Republican, Hannon was a member of the New York State Senate from the 6th district in Nassau County between 1989 and 2018.Biography
Hannon graduated from Chaminade High School, Boston College and Fordham University School of Law. He was Special Counsel to the law firm Farrell Fritz, P.C., ending the association on January 31, 2017. Hannon resides in Garden City, New York with his wife Bronwyn and their twin daughters, Alexandra and Madeleine.
Hannon served in the New York State Assembly from 1977 to 1989, sitting in the 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th and 188th New York State Legislatures. In 1989, he was elected to the New York State Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John R. Dunne. Hannon represented the 6th State Senate District, which includes Levittown, Massapequa, Garden City, Uniondale, Hempstead, Farmingdale, Franklin Square, Old Bethpage, Salisbury, Garden City South, Plainview, Lakeview, Plainedge, Island Trees and East Meadow.
A Republican, Hannon chaired the New York State Senate Health Committee for nearly two decades. He has chaired numerous task forces, civic programs, and charitable endeavors. Hannon is regarded as the spearheading force behind both the reauthorization of the Health Care Reform Act and the development of New York's Assisted Living Program. Additionally, he helped the state enact several popular health programs including Child Health Plus, Healthy New York, Family Health Plus, the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program, early intervention efforts, and insurance coverage for autism, prostate and breast cancer screenings.
In 2011, Hannon voted against the Marriage Equality Act, which the Senate passed 33-29. On January 14, 2013, Hannon voted in favor of the NY SAFE Act, which the Senate passed 43-18. On June 10, 2014, the State Senate passed medical marijuana legislation that was later signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo; Hannon, along with nine other Senate Republicans, voted against the bill.
On November 6, 2018, after having served 29 years in the New York State Senate, Hannon was unexpectedly defeated in his re-election bid by Democratic challenger Kevin Thomas.
