Background
Breslin, Neil David was born on June 9, 1942 in Albany, New York, United States. Son of Marsh W. Breslin and Mary G. Garry Breslin.
Breslin, Neil David was born on June 9, 1942 in Albany, New York, United States. Son of Marsh W. Breslin and Mary G. Garry Breslin.
Breslin graduated from Fordham University in 1964, and received his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.
A Democrat, he represents parts of Albany and Rensselaer Counties. As previously configured, his district followed the Albany County boundaries exactly. In law school he was editor-in-chief of the Law Review and selected as the outstanding student in his class.
He later practiced as an "of counsel" attorney with the firm of Hiscock & Barclay.
Breslin was first elected to the State Senate in 1996, defeating incumbent Michael Hoblock. Breslin had two challengers in the 2008 Democratic Primary, who cited Breslin"s continued service in a law firm as and family connections (one brother a county executive, the other a judge) possible conflicts of interest.
He was re-elected on November 4, 2008. Breslin voted in favor of same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009.
The bill was defeated.
Breslin"s 2010 bid for re-election got off to a rocky start, as the Candidate Review Committee of the Albany County Democratic Party voted to recommend no endorsement in his Senate race. Breslin was criticized during his 2010 primary campaign against Luke Martland in failing to answer questions about the content of multiple pieces of legislation he himself had sponsored as the chair of the Insurance Committee.
Attorney St. Anne's Institute, Albany. President Arbor House, 1980—1987. Vice president Interfaith Partnership for Homeless, 1996—1998.
Member of New York State Senate Association, New York State Bar Association (chairman, general practice law secretary 1993-1994), Albany County Bar. Association (chairman, member grievance committee 1985-1993).
Married Ellen Rooney Breslin, 1964. Children: Katherine, Christine, Neij D. Junior.