Victor Robles
Encyclopedia
Victor Robles is a career politician from Brooklyn
, New York
, having served in the New York State Assembly, on the New York City Council
, and as New York City
clerk.
Robles grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
, where he was raised by the Puerto Rican-American community activist Aurea M. Blanco. At a young age, he was asked by his mother to translate for her at neighborhood meetings and protests; through these activities, he caught the attention of former assemblyman and State Supreme Court Justice Gilbert Ramirez, who introduced him to Shirley Chisholm
. He went on to work on Chisholm's staff before successfully running for the seat from the 53rd district in the New York State Assembly in 1978. He served from 1979–1984 and was succeeded by Vito Lopez
.
After leaving the Assembly, Robles served on the New York City Council (1985–2001). He was forced from office due to term limits in 2001. Since October 2006, he has been the New York City Clerk. Robles was one of the defendants in a 2006 lawsuit that demanded marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, having served in the New York State Assembly, on the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
, and as New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
clerk.
Robles grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, bordering Greenpoint to the north, Bedford-Stuyvesant to the south, Bushwick to the east and the East River to the west. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 1. The neighborhood is served by the NYPD's 90th ...
, where he was raised by the Puerto Rican-American community activist Aurea M. Blanco. At a young age, he was asked by his mother to translate for her at neighborhood meetings and protests; through these activities, he caught the attention of former assemblyman and State Supreme Court Justice Gilbert Ramirez, who introduced him to Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to Congress...
. He went on to work on Chisholm's staff before successfully running for the seat from the 53rd district in the New York State Assembly in 1978. He served from 1979–1984 and was succeeded by Vito Lopez
Vito Lopez
Vito Joseph Lopez is an American politician, member of the New York State Assembly, and chairman of the Democratic Party of Kings County.-Personal life:...
.
After leaving the Assembly, Robles served on the New York City Council (1985–2001). He was forced from office due to term limits in 2001. Since October 2006, he has been the New York City Clerk. Robles was one of the defendants in a 2006 lawsuit that demanded marriage rights for same-sex couples.