When she leaves office at the end of the year, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes will leave behind what one insider called "an unmatched legacy."
"She served Buffalo and Western New York well," said Rev. Michael Bell, Durham Memorial AME Zion Church pastor.
Peoples-Stokes, 74, announced on April 8 that was she was not seeking re-election and will retire at the end of the year.
Peoples-Stokes was first elected to the Assembly in 2002, after serving a decade in the Erie County Legislature. She became Assembly Majority Leader in 2018.
"If you look at her legacy, you will see someone with a very high performance level," said former Buffalo Mayor Tony Masiello.
While Peoples-Stokes' 141st Assembly District largely covered Buffalo's East Side, she was a tireless advocate for Buffalo and the Buffalo Niagara region, said Rev. Mark Blue, Buffalo Branch NAACP regional president.
"She never forgot her roots," Blue said.
Peoples-Stokes said she originally wanted to retire six years ago but was repeatedly talked out of her decision.
"But, now it is time," Peoples-Stokes said.
Recently, she had filed a standard re-election petition but on April 7 withdrew it after a series of heartfelt conversations with her family and some of her inner political circle.
"I felt it was time to step aside," Peoples-Stokes said.
But, she is not leaving Albany quietly.
Peoples-Stokes' political wish list includes getting a better handle on Buffalo's budget issues and also pushing for her legislation that will make it easier to convert vacant office buildings into apartments.
"There's still a lot to do," Peoples-Stokes said.
Assembly Majority Leader opts not to seek re-election
Assembly Majority Leader opts not to seek re-election
