Michael DenDekker

American politician

Michael G. DenDekker


Member of the New York State Assembly from the 34th district
In office January 1, 2009 – January 1, 2021
Preceded by	Ivan Lafayette
Succeeded by	Jessica González-Rojas

Personal details
Born	(1961-07-11) July 11, 1961 (age 62)^[1] Jackson Heights, Queens^[1]
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Angela^[2]
Children	Four^[2]
Residence	East Elmhurst, Queens^[1]
Profession	politician
Website	Official website

Michael G. DenDekker (born July 11, 1961)^[1] is an American politician and former assemblyman for the state of New York's 34th district, which included the neighborhoods of Woodside, Jackson Heights, and East Elmhurst, all in the Borough and County of Queens.^[2]

Education and career

DenDekker was born in Jackson Heights, attending Our Lady of Fatima Grammar School and Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School. He attended the State University of New York at Farmingdale, majoring in automotive technology.^[3]

After college he worked as a banquet manager for a caterer and an account representative for MetLife. He joined the New York City Department of Sanitation in 1995, where he was promoted to supervisor in March 2001. Later that year he was assigned to the New York City Office of Emergency Management as a public information officer and in 2003 he also became a special projects coordinator. He retired from the Sanitation Department and his assignment at OEM in 2006, after which he was a facilities manager for the New York City Council.^[4]

From 1998 to 2002, he worked as a part-time district representative for State Assembly member Margaret Markey. After longtime Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette decided not to run for reelection, DenDekker ran for the seat. He won uncontested general elections in 2008 and 2010.^[5]^[6]

Legislative career

DenDekker attracted public attention with two bills he proposed in February 2011 that would have required all bicycles in New York to be registered, inspected, and given license plates for a mandatory US $25 fee.^[7] DenDekker proposed the idea as an attempt to draw attention to bicyclists who violate existing state laws and to generate revenue for the state. After significant objections from his colleagues, constituents and local clerks, DenDekker withdrew the bill.^[8]^[9]

In May 2010, DenDekker introduced a bill to develop a cigarette butt recycling program and require a minimum deposit of one cent per cigarette.^[10]

In 2020, he was defeated in the Democratic primary by democratic socialist opponent Jessica González-Rojas.^[11]

Personal life

DenDekker and his wife Angela have four children: Michael, Linda, Elizabeth, and Jason.^[2] His step-daughter, Elizabeth Delaney, died on March 11, 2012. He has three grandchildren Jasen, Vincent, and Justin. He occasionally works as an actor, has appeared in several movies and TV shows—including the first two seasons of Elementary, as a Detective—and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild.^[2]^[12]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "State Assembly: Michael G. DenDekker (D), District 34". Capitol Info. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Michael G. DenDekker: Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
^ "Meet and greet Michael G. DenDekker, NYS Assembly Member of the 34th District". Queens Chamber of Commerce. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
^ "Assault on Sanitation Workers Should Be a Felony, Council Member Says". WNYC. 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
^ "Election Results 2008: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-05-11.
^ "Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-06-15.
^ "Lawmaker Withdraws Bike-License Bill". New York Times. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
^ Newman, Andy (March 3, 2011). "Lawmaker Withdraws Bike-License Bill". The New York Times.
^ Katz, Celeste (March 3, 2011). "That's Ix-Nay On The NY Bicycle License Plates Idea, Says Assemblyman Michael DenDekker". New York Daily News.
^ Hager, Emily B. (May 25, 2010). "A Call to Recycle Cigarette Butts". The New York Times.
^ Slattery, Denis (2020-07-17). "Progressives on a roll as Queens Assemblyman Michael DenDekker admits defeat to Jessica González-Rojas". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
^ MichaelDenDekker.com, official acting website