Introduction
John J. Bonacic (born June 14, 1942 in New York City) is the Republican New York State Senator from the 42nd District (which includes all or parts of Delaware, Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster Counties). Bonacic was first elected in November 1998.
Personal life and education
Bonacic is of Croatian ancestry, his grandparents were immigrants from Croatia. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Iona College in 1964, majoring in Economics. He received his Doctorate of Law at Fordham University School of Law in 1968.
Political career
On February 20, 1990, Bonacic was elected to the New York State Assembly, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Mary M. McPhillips as Orange County Executive. Bonacic was re-elected four times and remained in the Assembly until 1998, sitting in the 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st and 192nd New York State Legislatures. In November 1998, he was elected to the New York State Senate, and has been re-elected every two years.
He currently serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction & Community Development.
He serves as a member of several other Senate committees, including: Judiciary; Banks; and Racing, Gaming and Wagering.
Bonacic voted against same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009; the bill was defeated. He also voted against the state's 2011 Marriage Equality Act, which the Senate passed 33-29.