Siela Bynoe

Siela A. Bynoe is an American politician serving as a member of the New York State Senate for the New York's [6th State Senate district|6th district] in central Nassau County on Long Island. A Democrat, she previously served in the Nassau County Legislature.

Early life and education

Bynoe's parents emigrated to the United States from the Caribbean; her father is from Suriname and his great-grandfather originally from Barbados while her mother's family is from Saint [Kitts and Nevis] and Anguilla. The family moved from Crown Heights to Queens Village, and eventually to Long Island when she was 5.
She graduated from Westbury [High School (Old Westbury, New York)|Westbury High School], then earned an Associate's degree in liberal arts from Nassau Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hofstra University. During her time working towards a Masters [in Public Administration] at LIU Post, Bynoe was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Political career

Bynoe was elected to the Westbury Board of Education in 2010 and served two terms before being elected to the Nassau County Legislature in a special election to replace Robert Troiano in 2014.

New York State Senate

Bynoe defeated New York State Assembly member Taylor Darling in the primary and defeated Republican Thomas Montefinise in the general election, becoming the first Black woman to represent the Long Island region in the Senate.