Newly-elected Assemblymember Phillip Goldfeder was formally sworn into office on Sunday, November 6 in a ceremony attended by dozens of locals and elected officials, including Senator Charles Schumer.
Goldfeder succeeds former Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer — who resigned from the seat to become Queens County Clerk — in the 23rd Assembly District. He won 54 percent of the vote in September’s election, securing his victory over former NYPD officer and Republican candidate Jane Deacy.
“For me, this is bittersweet because I have to say goodbye to some of the things that I love doing, but I know that Phillip Goldfeder is going to be a wonderful Assemblymember,” Pheffer said. “I am so confident that he’s going to do an even better job. He has all this enthusiasm, and he has all this drive.”
The ceremony was held at J.H.S. 210 in Ozone Park. Bagpipe players and the Broad Channel High School Band entertained audience members prior to the inauguration.
Among those in attendance were Congressmember Bob Turner, Assemblymember David Weprin, Councilmember Eric Ulrich, Assemblymember Grace Meng, Congressmember Gregory Meeks, State Senator Malcolm Smith, Councilmember James F. Gennaro, Councilmember James Sanders Jr., Pheffer’s longtime chief of staff Joann Shapiro and Democratic district leader Frank Gulluscio.
“Phil Goldfeder has become our Assemblymember, and he got there the old fashioned way,” Schumer said. “He earned it. Phil worked his way up, and he worked hard.”
Goldfeder was previously a member of Schumer’s staff as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. He also worked for Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a representative for Queens.
“When he worked for me, we immediately saw he was special. He bubbled with enthusiasm and energy, and he never rested,” said Schumer, who added that Goldfeder’s nickname in the office was “Shpilkes” — a Yiddish term for nervous energy. “You have to have resilience to do this job. You have to have the right heart, the right brain, and the right soul. Phil has all of that.”
Goldfeder, a lifelong Far Rockaway resident, represents Ozone Park, Lindenwood, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and the Rockaways.
