John Sabini

John D. Sabini is the former chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. He was confirmed by the New York State Senate in August 2008 and served until 2013. Sabini had previously been a member of the State Senate, a Democrat, serving from 2003 to 2008, and represented parts of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Woodside. He had previously represented much of the same area as a member of New York City Council from 1992 to 2001.

Queens County Democratic party officials declined to support Sabini for re-election in 2008. Instead, 12 of the 14 members of the party's county executive Committee gave their support to Hiram P. Monserrate, citing Monserrate's strength in the 2006 election and the changing ethnic politics of the district that were increasingly favorable to the challenger.

On September 27, 2007, Albany police pulled over Sabini. He failed a field-sobriety test and declined to take a Breathalyzer. Sabini pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while ability impaired. He paid a $300 fine, agreed to enroll in DWI classes, and his driver's license was suspended for six months.

In 2006, Sabini was appointed as Assistant Minority Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs. He served as the liaison between the Senate Minority Conference and the Governor's office, the State Assembly, Congress and local governments. Sabini simultaneously maintained his ranking membership status on the Transportation and Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committees.

Sabini was also appointed to several high-profile panels in 2006. In February he served as the only New York State representative on a national transportation leadership summit at the White House. In April he served as the only New York City legislator on Governor Eliot Spitzer's special panel to determine the future of thoroughbred racing in New York and the operations of Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course.

When the newly configured 13th Senate District was unveiled in the spring of 2002, Sabini became a candidate who amassed broad support within the Democratic Party. In 2004 and 2006 he was the Democratic nominee and was re-elected in the general election.

The crisis surrounding the Queens County Democratic Organization following the death of Donald Manes in 1986 was a defining moment in Sabini's career. Sabini was thrust into the position of interim chairman at the time when scrutiny from the media and federal investigators threatened the future of the local party organization. His success in stepping in to clean up the party earned him glowing editorial support from The New York Times and Newsday. After completing the unexpired term he was replaced by Congressman Thomas J. Manton after that year's primary election.

Upon joining the Senate, Sabini received several high-profile appointments unprecedented for a new member. He was appointed as the ranking member of the Elections Committee and was the Senate Democratic conferee on a conference committee designed to set up the state's framework to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act. Sabini was also appointed to the Rules Committee, the first freshman Democrat since 1937 to serve in that capacity.