Charles Schumer

Guide Note

Charles Schumer is a Democratic Senator from New York. He's currently the third-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, behind Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, and is considered the fourth most-powerful Senator overall.

Fast Facts

1. Born: November 23, 1950 in Brooklyn, New York
2. Assumed office: January 6, 1999
3. Up for re-election in 2011
4. Spouse: Iris Weinshall
5. Religion: Jewish
6. Has never lost an election
7. Chairman: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)
8. Co-authored the controversial 1994 Assault Weapons Ban
9. Voted against Clinton impeachment in both houses of Congress
10. Scored a 1600 on the SAT
11. Appeared on the TV quiz show It's Academic

Schumer has never had a job outside of professional politics.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Schumer won a seat on the New York State Assembly, becoming its youngest elected member since Theodore Roosevelt. He entered the House in 1980, representing Queens and Brooklyn, and was re-elected eight times.

Schumer entered the Senate in 1998, beating out former Vice Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro in the Democratic primary. He's currently Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, the Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts and the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development.