Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes has announced that she will not run for re-election, ending a storied tenure in Albany that saw her as the first Black and the first female Assembly majority leader.
Peoples-Stokes, who has served in the Assembly for 23 years and as majority leader for more than seven years, had previously announced that she would run for re-election and began actively petitioning to get her name on the ballot. However, during a press conference she said her intentions have changed and that she will not seek re-election.
“Just a few weeks ago, I stood in the same spot to say I was running for office. But sometimes we plan, and God plans, and I personally know that God specializes in planning,” Peoples-Stokes said. While she laid out many reasons for not running for re-election, including her wish to spend more time with her family, the main driving force appears to be health-related. At the same press conference, she announced she would be undergoing a medical procedure.
“So next week, this time, I will still be recuperating from a procedure that I’m going to go through at the ECMC hospital,” Peoples-Stokes said. “However, in about two or three weeks after that, I’ll be back in Albany to finish up my last term, because I will not run for re-election.” Peoples-Stokes added that she had confidence everything would go well, saying she had “no concerns” about the doctors or the procedure.
According to Peoples-Stokes, this is not the first time she has considered retiring from public office, having previously thought about it four and six years ago. In those instances, she said she was talked out of not running.
“I kept staying because people wanted me to keep staying. But you know, when you get a message like the one I got that I’m going to be taking care of my health next week, you have to listen.”
Lawmakers in Albany expressed support for Peoples-Stokes’ decision, highlighting her career achievements and her indomitable spirit. Gov. Kathy Hochul, another Buffalo Democrat, spoke highly of Peoples-Stokes in a message posted on social media following the announcement. Hochul highlighted the parallel paths in their careers and noted the power and drive that Peoples-Stokes has in the Legislature.
“I’ve been honored to work alongside Crystal Peoples-Stokes throughout her career,” Hochul said. “She brought that unmistakable Buffalo toughness to every fight on behalf of her community. I thank God every day that Crystal has been my friend, neighbor and colleague. She will be deeply missed in our state Legislature.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the first Black man elected to the position, issued a release after Peoples-Stokes’ announcement celebrating her long career in public service and her commitment to her local community.
“Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes is a dedicated public servant and a stateswoman. When she departs the Assembly at the end of this session, she will leave big shoes to fill,” Heastie said in a statement. “For more than two decades here in the Assembly, Crystal has been a voice for her community in Buffalo, as well as for communities across our state that have historically been disenfranchised and left behind.”
In her remarks, Peoples-Stokes thanked Heastie for choosing her as majority leader. She noted that he faced objections from some in the party over selecting her, but chose her anyway to help lead the Assembly over the past seven years.
“In fact, some people told him, ‘You can’t do that. The Attorney General Letitia James has already been elected, Andrea Stewart-Cousins has already been selected to be the leader of the Senate. You can’t have all minority leadership,’” Peoples-Stokes said. “Well, I guess Carl [Heastie] heard that in one ear, but it went out the other one, and he called me up and said, ‘You got to do this.’”
Heastie also outlined how Peoples-Stokes has served as a friend and ally during her tenure as majority leader.
“I’ve known Crystal since before I was elected to the Assembly, and have been honored to call her a friend. As speaker, I have been so lucky to have Crystal by my side as majority leader as we worked to put forward an agenda to lift up all New Yorkers,” Heastie said.
“Her wisdom and knowledge have been invaluable to me and to so many who have had the privilege of serving with her. Crystal has been more than a majority leader to me. She has been my friend, advisor, sister and my biggest supporter. I know I speak not just for myself but for all our colleagues in the Assembly Majority when I say that we will miss her here in the People’s House.”
Peoples-Stokes also said during the press conference that she is confident Heastie, who she called “a good friend and a great leader,” will be able to select a suitable replacement as Assembly majority leader.
In closing, Peoples-Stokes said she is ready to move on from this chapter in her life and see what other plans God has for her.
“It’s kind of bittersweet. Honestly, it’s been a good run. I’ve enjoyed it, but I do look forward to a future. What that future looks like, I don’t know yet, but I’m perfectly willing to stay in God’s will, and I know he’ll show me at some point,” she said.
