Mike Arcuri
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| Michael Arcuri | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Sherwood Boehlert |
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| Born | June 11, 1959 Utica, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sabrina Deon-Arcuri |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Michael Angelo "Mike" Arcuri (born June 11, 1959) is an American District Attorney and politician. Currently he is congressman for New York's 24th congressional district.
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[edit] Background
Michael Arcuri graduated from T. R. Proctor Public High School, in Utica, New York.
In 1981, Arcuri graduated from the State University of New York at Albany where he majored in history and minored in economics. During his years at Albany, Mike worked for New York Public Interest Research Group, and played rugby and varsity football.
In 1984, Arcuri graduated from New York Law School in New York City and was admitted to practice law in New York state in 1985, and returned to Utica to open a law office in 1986. In addition to private practice he served as attorney for the New Hartford Central School District’s Board of Education.
[edit] Career as a District Attorney
In 1993, Arcuri was elected District Attorney of Oneida County, only the third Democrat ever elected to that position and the first in over 40 years.
In 1997, he received the Mohawk Valley Person of the Year Award from the YWCA for his work in the area of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
[edit] Congressional candidacy
In November 2006, Arcuri defeated State Senator Ray Meier for the 24th District congressional seat left open by the retiring Sherwood Boehlert, becoming only the second Democrat to represent the area in 106 years. Arcuri won by an unexpectedly large margin, 54 percent of the vote to Meier's 45 percent.
[edit] Controversy
In 2002, Arcuri personally prosecuted Joseph A. Smith of Oneida for the murder of Desiree Case of Yorkville. Her body was discovered in an abandoned house on February 26, 2000. Smith was arrested on November 29, 2001 after he was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in a sealed indictment. Despite one mistrial, Arcuri chose to press on with the weak case, and a jury found Smith guilty of both counts of murder in March of 2002. In late June of 2002 a judge set aside the conviction, on a technicality, when it was discovered the defense was not provided all of the evidence in the case. Smith was released from jail on August 1, 2002. He later filed a claim for misconduct and negligence against the Oneida County District Attorney's Office and the City of Utica, N.Y., Police Department, which was settled out of court. However, Case's actual killer, Earl Wright, was located within the New Yorks State Prison System and would eventually plead guilty to manslaughter while an accomplice, Michael L. Nero, would plead guilty to assault.[citation needed]
[edit] Issues and Positions
Arcuri is a Democrat and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.
[edit] Committee Assignments
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
- Committee on Rules
- Rules& Organization of the House Subcommittee
[edit] Family and personal life
Arcuri has two children from his first marriage, Carmen Joseph and Dominique. He married his current wife, the former Sabrina Deon, in August of 2007. His father was Carmen Arcuri (Dec.). His mother, Elizabeth, retired as a stenographer with the State of New York.
[edit] References
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Michael Arcuri, U.S. House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
- Elect Michael A. Arcuri, Campaign site
- DCCC — Hon. Mike Arcuri profile
| Preceded by Sherwood Boehlert |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 24th congressional district 2007-01-03 – present |
Incumbent |
