Serphin R. Maltese

Serphin R. Maltese (born December 7, 1932) is a former New York State Senator representing New York's 15th State Senate District, located in Queens. He also served as chairman of the Conservative Party of New York from 1986 to 1988.
Maltese, an Italian-American, was born in the neighborhood of Corona in the borough of Queens. In 1951, he graduated from Stuyvesant High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Manhattan College in 1958 and an LL.B. and a J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law. He is a Korean War veteran.
In 1984, Maltese ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives from central Queens. The seat was being vacated by Geraldine Ferraro, who was chosen to run for Vice President on the Democratic ticket with Walter Mondale. Maltese was defeated by Democrat Thomas J. Manton. 
Maltese was a member of the New York State Senate from 1989 to 2008. He was elected as a Conservative for his first two terms, at most times with endorsement by the Republican and Right to Life parties. He became a Republican in 1990, and continued to win re-election in a district that normally favored Democrats. In 2006, Maltese was nearly defeated, narrowly beating Democrat Albert Baldeo by 894 votes. In 2008, Maltese was soundly defeated by New York City Councilman Joseph Addabbo, Jr. as the Democrats took control of the State Senate. 
As of February 2019, Maltese served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Christ The King Regional High School, an independent Catholic high school in Middle Village, Queens.