William A. Barclay
William Anson Barclay is an American politician and attorney from the State of New York. A Republican, he has served in the New York State Assembly since 2003. In January 2020, Barclay was elected to the position of Assembly minority leader.
Early life, family, education, and law practice
Barclay was born in Syracuse, New York, to H. Douglas Barclay and Dee Dee Barclay. His father, who served as U.S. ambassador to El Salvador and as chair of the Republican Conference in the New York State Senate, was "among the most influential Republicans in New York state during a 52-year political career". The Barclay family owns Douglas Outdoors, an Otsego County company that makes fishing equipment.Barclay earned his B.A. from St. Lawrence University in 1992 and his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1995. After graduating from law school, he served as a clerk for Roger Miner, a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Barclay is a partner in the law firm of Barclay Damon.
Political career
Barclay was first elected to the State Assembly on November 5, 2002, defeating Democrat E. Clyde Ohl by a margin of 21,848 to 14,594. He took office in 2003. Barclay won the November 2008 general election with 67 percent of the vote and ran uncontested in the November 2010 and 2012 general elections. A Republican, Barclay represents the 120th District in the New York State Assembly. As of 2024, the 120th district includes Oswego County and portions of Cayuga and Jefferson Counties.Barclay ran for New York State Senate in New York's 48th Senate district in a 2008 special election. He sought to replace former senator Jim Wright, who stepped down. Barclay lost the election to Democratic assemblyman Darrel Aubertine on February 27, 2008.
On January 7, 2020, Barclay was unanimously elected to the post of Assembly minority leader by his Republican colleagues following the resignation of Brian Kolb. He previously served as Deputy minority leader, as chair of the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, and as ranking member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Barclay has called for the repeal of the following laws: New York's 2019 bail reform law; the Raise the Age Act, which increased the age at which persons are held accountable for crimes as adults; the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act, which he argued has caused increases in prison violence; the Green Light Law, which allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain New York driver licenses; the NY SAFE Act, a 2013 gun control law; and congestion pricing in New York City. Barclay and the Assembly Minority Conference have proposed an Inflation Relief and Consumer Assistance Plan as well as tax incentives for families and childcare providers. He opposed 2024 New York Proposal 1, an equal rights amendment to the Constitution of New York.