Gifford Miller

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller.

Alan Gifford Miller (born November 6, 1969) is the former Speaker of the New York City Council, where he represented Council District 5. Barred from seeking reelection due to term limits, the Democrat ran in the Democratic primary for the opportunity to run against incumbent Republican Mayor, multi-billionaire Michael Bloomberg in November 2005.

[edit] Early life and education

According to the New York Observer, Miller grew up in New York City, with mother Lynden, a landscape designer and father Leigh Miller, who was a political appointee to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Miller attended St. Bernard's School, a day school for young boys. He later graduated from Princeton University with a degree in political science. A lifelong Upper East Sider, he lives on East 82nd Street with his wife since 1999, Pamela Addison, and their two sons, Marshall and Addison Leigh. According to the New York Times, Miller also sings and has "eclectic tastes in music".

Following his graduation from Princeton in 1992, Miller joined the staff of Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, a Democrat who represents the New York 14th Congressional District, which overlaps Council District 5. Council District 5 represents of the Upper East Side, Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, Turtle Bay, Sutton Place and Roosevelt Island.

[edit] Political career

In January 1996, Miller won his first term in the New York City Council at the age of 26, after running unopposed in a special election to fill the then-vacant seat. He was the first Democrat in recent history elected to represent the traditionally wealthy district. He easily won reelection in 1997, 2001 and 2003; term limits laws prohibited him from seeking a fifth term.

Following a unanimous election on January 9, 2002, Miller succeeded Peter Vallone, Sr. as the Speaker of the New York City Council. According to the New York Observer, he tried attending Fordham University for a law degree but dropped out in 2000 to focus on the Speaker’s race.

Miller sought the Democratic mayoral nomination in 2005. His opponents for the nomination included former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer, Congressman Anthony D. Weiner and outgoing Manhattan borough president C. Virginia Fields. The winner of the Democratic primary election on September 13, 2005 was Ferrer, who was easily defeated by Republican mayor Michael Bloomberg in the general election held on November 8, 2005.

According to the New York Observer, Miller is "widely regarded as a decent and talented man" who has nonetheless shown "signs of immaturity: his reversal on his reversal on lead-paint legislation after pressure from special interests; his eagerness to spend the city budget surplus to hire teachers, reopen firehouses and cut taxes despite an ongoing climate of fiscal uncertainty." [1]

Although Miller had the most money of any of the Democratic candidates, as well as many key endorsements, he suffered severe reversals of fortune in the final month of the primary. He was criticized for being too predictable and safe in his public appearances and debate performances. Former Ed Koch press secretary George Arzt told the New York Times, "People get turned off by I, I, I, and that is what Gifford does a lot - I've done this, I've done that. Stop the I. When that's all you have to say, it is very tedious and self-promoting." A scandal brewed over mailings which were paid for by the Council. His aides initially claimed they cost only $37,000, but later admitted they cost taxpayers $1.6 million. Miller also claimed almost $1.5 million of his fund was exempt from the primary's $5.7 million spending limit, which caused a spat with the Campaign Finance Board and caused him to cancel over $450,000 in advertisements. Miller saw much of his potential support drift to Congressman Weiner.

In the end, Miller placed fourth in the primary field with 10.19%. Fifth-place finisher Christopher X. Brodeur, who garnered 4%, told the New York Times, "I spent just under $200 my entire campaign," Mr. Brodeur gloated in a voice mail message left for a reporter. "Gifford Miller spent over $5 million, a lot of it your tax money."

Miller is now at New York University teaching at the College of Arts and Science and leading a Freshman Honors Seminar on public policy and urban planning in New York City. In addition he runs his own business, Miller Strategies. Miller has not ruled out another run for office.