Phil Steck

For nearly 35 years, Phil Steck has been standing up for what’s right – justice, equal rights, and economic opportunity.

Phil is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. But, after law school, he didn’t join a big firm and seek out a large pay-day, he became an Assistant District Attorney to help keep our families safe.

When Phil left the District Attorney’s Office, he didn’t focus on the lucrative areas of private practice. He chose to focus on civil rights and employment law to make sure big business and special interests can’t trample the rights and dignity of those without a voice.

Phil Steck has always been a progressive Democrat. In 1999, he was the first Democrat ever elected from his County Legislative District. He was at that time the only Democratic elected official in the entire Town of Colonie. In 2007, under Phil’s leadership as Democratic Chair, the Democratic Party won control of the government of Colonie for the first time in Town history. Phil stepped down as Chair in 2008 but has remained an integral member of Colonie’s Democratic team. 

Phil Steck served 3 and a half terms in the Albany County Legislature, winning between 62%- 80% of the vote in each of his four elections. His Legislative District included Loudonville, Menands, Schuyler Heights, and Mannsville in the Town of Colonie.

In 2012, Phil won a four-way Democratic primary to be the Democratic candidate for the 110th Assembly District, which is comprised of Colonie, Niskayuna, and Schenectady. While Phil had the endorsement of the Colonie Democratic Committee, he was opposed by members of the Assembly establishment. He won the primary by 10%.

In the General Election, Phil defeated Jennifer Whalen in a spirited race. Phil was attacked by his opponent for being a supporter of gun control, for example. He won with 57% of the vote. Phil was re-elected in both 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020, when he received 63% of the vote.  

Phil serves as the Assembly’s Chairman of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee and a member of Health, Insurance, Judiciary, Labor and Oversight and Investigations Committees.

Phil was a delegate for Bernie Sanders to the 2016 and 2020 Democratic National Conventions.