NYS Assembly

A Dedicated Long Islander:
Steven has called Saint James home since he was 11 years old, fostering deep connections within the community he aims to serve. He graduated from Stony Brook University with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy, focusing on issues close to home: housing and healthcare affordability.

Professional and Union Advocate:
In his professional life, Steven has worked at SEIU’s Communication Center, where he helped encourage public school staff to engage with their unions in partnership with the National Education Association. This role underscored his commitment to workers’ rights and active community involvement.

Michael A. Reynolds was born in Bushwick Brooklyn in 1967 and moved to Queens in 1972. While growing up in Queens New York Michael attended P.S.147 in Cambria Heights, JHS 192 in Hollis Queens, and Andrew Jackson High School in Cambria heights where he played football and received All Queens honors and second-team All-City honors.

Michael was recruited out of high school to play football where he attended Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven CT. While there he played football and worked with the campus police as a campus escort. As a campus escort, he helped to keep students safe on campus by patrolling the campus at night allowing the student community to feel safe. Michael was also a Resident Advisor where he worked with residents on his floor to create and maintain a cohesive community for all. Michael graduated in 1989 and obtained his bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications with a minor in business. Upon graduating, Michael returned home to Queens, New York where he began working for United Parcel Service as a seasonal helper. During his time at UPS, Michael became a union driver, operations supervisor and District Account Executive.

Rebecca Kassay is a community organizer, small business owner, and public servant, whose diverse experiences and dedication to public service have compelled her to run for a seat in the New York State Assembly. She brings her proven track record of impactful community engagement to Assembly District 4 and the state at large.

In 2010, Rebecca graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Environmental Studies and Communications and returned to Long Island's north shore, where she created and directed a youth environmental volunteer program for Avalon Park and Preserve in Stony Brook. For over seven years, she worked alongside hundreds of Suffolk County teens, environmental professionals, and NGO representatives to tackle a myriad of environmental stewardship efforts across Long Island. These hands-on experiences with the region's environmental issues, assets, and advocates drive Rebecca's desire to preserve the heritage of this incredible island.

Kwani O'Pharrow has an impressive and long-standing record in public service protecting our nation and the great state of New York. He served in the Navy from 1990-1994 as Radioman Petty Officer 3rd Class (RM3)-Intel and retired from the New York City Police (NYPD) as a Detective after 28 years. His extensive NYPD career brings a wealth of valuable experience; which included: school officer, community patrol officer, Domestic Violence Officer, Gang investigations, holding various plainclothes details and assigned to the Chief of departments office. Notably, Kwani’s final assignment was in the Intelligence Bureau where he had the privilege of protecting dignitaries such as Presidents Obama and Trump.

Cooper J. Macco graduated from St. John’s University School of Law in 2012 and was admitted to the New York State Bar in February 2013. He is also admitted to practice in the Eastern and Southern District of New York.

Wendy decided to pursue a career in law to make a difference and to help people. After receiving her BA in Economics and Political Science, she worked as a legislative aid for Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn overseeing community outreach in the legislator’s district.
In 1994, she chose to attend CUNY law school because of the school's dedication to “Law in the Service of Human Needs' ' and simultaneously pursued a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She was admitted to practice to the New York Bar in 1999 and hired as an Associate a Levitan and Pardes, PC. working under retired Nassau Supreme Court Justice Sondra Pardes.