Jon Cooper

A nine-year veteran of the Legislature, Jon Cooper is widely recognized as one of the most prolific lawmakers in Suffolk County’s history. His landmark ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving was copied nationwide. The domestic partner registry he established in the county secured privileges, such as hospital visitation rights, to gay and lesbian couples. Cooper also authored the nation’s first ban on the sale of the dietary supplement ephedra. These groundbreaking laws landed him a spot on the Power List five times already, but it’s his collective achievements that wins one of Long Island’s most progressive politicians a spot in this year’s Hall of Fame. His historic environmental protection initiative has protected our open spaces, reduced the use of chemical pesticides and promoted the use of clean, renewable energy. The first openly gay politician on the Island, Cooper has made his personal life public and advocated tirelessly for gay rights. He was not only the first elected official in New York State to endorse Barack Obama back in 2007, but he also became his LI campaign chairman, and he raised nearly $1 million for Obama’s presidential campaign. Cooper also serves as president of Spectronics Corporation, a company with nearly 200 employees and one of the few remaining manufacturing firms on LI. And now that he will soon be term-limited out of office, his eye is on the U.S. Senate, which would have him challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010. Cooper has his work cut out for him, but don’t count him out just yet. He’s an underdog who champions underdog issues. And the best part is that he always seems to win.

Inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2009