Rachel May

May graduated with an A.B. in Slavic languages and literature from Princeton University in 1978 after completing a 99-page long senior thesis titled "Leisure Time and Its Functions in the Upbringing of New Soviet Men."[1] She also graduated from the University of Oxford with a Master of Arts, and from Stanford University with a Doctor of Philosophy in Slavic languages and Slavic literature. She taught at Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minnesota, becoming a tenured professor. In 2001, she and her husband moved to Syracuse, New York, when her husband became a professor of philosophy at Le Moyne College.[2]

May graduated from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a master's degree in environmental communications.[2] She worked as an administrator at Syracuse University, serving as the Director of Sustainability Education.[3]

Prior to her election to the Senate, May served on the Onondaga County Board of Zoning Appeals and the Democratic County Committee.[4] She is married with a daughter.[5]

Following the election of Donald Trump, voters became more aware of the Independent Democratic Conference, where state Senators elected as Democrats ultimately caucused with Republicans to provide them with the majority in return for better committee assignments and larger office budgets, among other benefits.[6] Among the members of the IDC was David Valesky, who had represented the district since 2005.[7]

In the 2018 elections, May ran for New York State Senate against Valesky in the Democratic primary, making it Valesky's first real challenge since taking office.[8] In a year with strong anti-IDC sentiment, May narrowly defeated Valesky.[9] With the district leaning Democratic, she was elected in November.[10]

With Democrats taking the majority in the general election, May is serving as the Chair of Committee on Aging.[11]

• Profile at Vote Smart