Janele Hyer-Spencer

Hyer-Spencer sponsored a yearly health and wellness fair called the "Boardwalk Bash" to provide health information and access to preventative care services. In keeping with her mission for universal health care she was chosen by the American Cancer Society to present a public service announcement highlighting her father's battle with cancer and struggle with maintaining health insurance. She was recognized for her commitment to the Dress for Success campaign where she sponsored a yearly drive to benefit women re-entering the work force. Hyer-Spencer began an advocacy campaign to promote the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors), federal legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented alien minor students who were brought to the United States by their parents and who remain undocumented – work she continued with the New York State Education Department.

Hyer-Spencer was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2006, narrowly defeating her Republican opponent to win a seat vacated by Republican Matthew Mirones. Hyer-Spencer faced Republican Nicole Malliotakis and Right to Life Party candidate Marietta A. Canning in the general election on November 2, 2010; Malliotakis defeated Hyer-Spencer with 55% of the vote.

As of 2009, she had run in three New York City Marathons, with a best time of 4 hours and 20 minutes. In a Staten Island Advance interview, she stated she runs 5 days a week, and over 25 hours a week. She is an avid surfer and a competition sailer having completed the well known Newport Bermuda Race, the biennial yacht race from Newport Rhode Island to the Island of Bermuda.

In 2008, Hyer-Spencer outlined her platform telling voters that she promised to be a vociferous advocate for education and health care that is "a right not a privilege". She worked on the extension of Child Health Plus, for the largest expansion the program had seen to care for children. She used her role on the Aging Committee to author legislation for increasing income eligibility for prescription drug coverage for seniors. In education she fought to prevent increases in state education tuition and to preserve tuition assistance for poorer students. In 2010, Hyer-Spencer campaigned against Education budget cuts when she announced that she would vote against a Budget Extender Bill that would be on the backs of students by instituting severe education cuts. She also developed the Hyer Hopes Awards honoring students from selected elementary, intermediate, and high schools throughout Staten Island and Bay Ridge who demonstrated significant improvement in academic achievement, or succeeded by overcoming adverse conditions. Hyer-Spencer sponsored a yearly Summer Reading Challenge to encourage children to read more and become excited about learning.

From 1994 to 1996, she took classes at Aurora University's School of Social Work. She earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia College Chicago. Hyer-Spencer graduated from City University of New York School of Law with a J.D. in 1998. Hyer-Spencer also graduated from Queens College with a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy in 1998.

Donna Janele Hyer-Spencer (born October 24, 1964) is a Democrat who represented New York's 60th Assembly District, which covers parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn.