Sean Patrick Maloney is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development since April 2024. He previously represented New York's 18th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023. A Democrat, he unsuccessfully ran for New York Attorney General in 2018, losing to Letitia James in the primary.
July 30, 1966: Birth of Sean Patrick Maloney
Sean Patrick Maloney was born on July 30, 1966 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
1984: Graduation from Hanover High School
Sean Patrick Maloney graduated from Hanover High School in 1984.
1988: Graduation from the University of Virginia
Sean Patrick Maloney graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations from the University of Virginia in 1988.
1991: Work on Bill Clinton's Presidential Campaign
Sean Patrick Maloney started working on Bill Clinton's first presidential campaign as deputy to chief scheduler Susan Thomases in 1991.
1992: Meeting Randy Florke
In 1992, Sean Patrick Maloney met his future husband, Randy Florke, in New York City while involved in planning the Democratic National Convention. Florke is known for his work as an interior decorator, even being featured in *O, The Oprah Magazine*.
1992: Graduation from the University of Virginia School of Law
Sean Patrick Maloney earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1992.
1992: Volunteer for Bill Clinton's Presidential Campaign
Sean Patrick Maloney's involvement in politics began in 1992 when he volunteered for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign.
1994: Karen Burstein's Attorney General Candidacy
Karen Burstein, the first lesbian to run for New York attorney general, ran for the position in 1994.
1996: Director of Surrogate Travel for Clinton's Reelection Campaign
Sean Patrick Maloney held the position of Director of Surrogate Travel during Bill Clinton's 1996 reelection campaign.
1999: Senior Advisor and White House Staff Secretary
Sean Patrick Maloney served as a senior advisor and White House Staff Secretary from 1999 to 2000 during Bill Clinton's presidency.
2000: Conclusion of Service as Senior Advisor and White House Staff Secretary
Sean Patrick Maloney's term as a senior advisor and White House Staff Secretary in the Clinton administration ended in 2000.
2000: Start of Tenure as COO of Kiodex, Inc.
Sean Patrick Maloney's time as chief operating officer of Kiodex, Inc. commenced in 2000.
2003: End of Tenure as COO of Kiodex, Inc.
Sean Patrick Maloney concluded his role as chief operating officer of Kiodex, Inc. in 2003.
2004: Original Highlands Conservation Act Passed
In 2004, the original Highlands Conservation Act was passed. This legislation aimed to protect the natural resources and scenic beauty of the Highlands region.
2006: Democratic Nomination for New York Attorney General
Sean Patrick Maloney pursued the Democratic nomination for New York Attorney General in 2006.
January 2007: First Deputy Secretary under Governor Eliot Spitzer
Sean Patrick Maloney assumed the role of First Deputy Secretary in Governor Eliot Spitzer's administration in January 2007.
July 23, 2007: Eliot Spitzer Political Surveillance Controversy
The Eliot Spitzer political surveillance controversy, known as "Troopergate," emerged on July 23, 2007, involving the ordering of the State Police to track Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's movements.
December 3, 2008: Departure from Governor Paterson's Office
Sean Patrick Maloney announced his decision to leave his position in Governor David Paterson's office to join the law firm Kirkland & Ellis on December 3, 2008.
2009: Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Sean Patrick Maloney became a partner at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP in 2009.
March 2011: Partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
Sean Patrick Maloney joined the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe as a partner in March 2011.
March 2012: Announcement of Congressional Candidacy
Sean Patrick Maloney publicly declared his intention to run for Congress in the 18th district in March 2012.
July 2012: Wall Street Journal Coverage of Maloney's Conduct
In July 2012, the Wall Street Journal published an article defending Sean Patrick Maloney's handling of the "Troopergate" investigation.
2012: Barney Frank's Marriage
In 2012, former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank became the first member of Congress to legally marry his same-sex partner while holding office.
2012: Election to the U.S. House of Representatives
Sean Patrick Maloney was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, defeating incumbent Nan Hayworth.
January 3, 2013: Maloney Sworn into Congress, Addresses Hurricane Sandy Aid Delay
Sean Patrick Maloney was sworn into the 113th United States Congress on January 3, 2013. On his second day in office, he delivered a speech on the House floor criticizing the delay in federal aid for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. He urged House Speaker John Boehner and his colleagues to expedite the passage of an aid package.
July 2013: Maloney Votes Against Farm Bill
In July 2013, Sean Patrick Maloney voted against the Farm Bill. The bill failed to pass the House due to opposition from a group of eight Democratic representatives, including Maloney, who joined the Republican majority in voting against it.
October 2013: House Passes Maloney's Disabled Veterans Red Tape Reduction Act
In October 2013, the House of Representatives passed the Disabled Veterans Red Tape Reduction Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill, introduced by Sean Patrick Maloney, aimed to streamline healthcare access for disabled veterans by allowing them to seek medical examinations from physicians outside the Veterans Affairs system.
December 25, 2013: Engagement to Randy Florke
Sean Patrick Maloney and Randy Florke got engaged on December 25, 2013.
2013: Start of Congressional Term
Sean Patrick Maloney began his tenure as the U.S. representative for New York's 18th congressional district in 2013.
2013: Maloney's Support for Budget Measures and Criticism from LGBT Groups
In 2013, Sean Patrick Maloney joined the "No Labels" Problem Solvers Caucus and supported the "No Budget, No Pay Act." His vote in favor of a budget that included provisions delaying the Affordable Care Act's implementation drew criticism from LGBT groups, who accused him of siding with Republicans. He also opposed sequestration, highlighting its potential negative impact on the United States Military Academy at West Point, and requested that his pay be withheld during the government shutdown in solidarity with federal workers.
April 10, 2014: Maloney Introduces Human Trafficking Prevention Act
On April 10, 2014, Sean Patrick Maloney introduced the Human Trafficking Prevention Act (H.R. 4449) in the 113th Congress. This bill aimed to combat human trafficking by mandating regular training and briefings for specific federal government personnel to raise awareness and equip them to identify and address potential cases.
June 21, 2014: Marriage to Randy Florke
On June 21, 2014, Sean Patrick Maloney and Randy Florke were married in Cold Spring, New York. This made Maloney the second member of Congress to marry his same-sex partner while in office.
July 2014: FAA Investigates Drone Use at Maloney's Wedding
In July 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated an investigation into the use of unmanned aircraft (drones) at Sean Patrick Maloney's wedding. The investigation aimed to determine whether the drone flights violated the FAA's regulations at the time, which generally prohibited commercial drone operations. Maloney, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's aviation subcommittee that oversaw the FAA, acknowledged that drones were hired for the event.
July 23, 2014: House Passes Maloney's Human Trafficking Prevention Act
On July 23, 2014, the House of Representatives passed the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, a bill introduced by Sean Patrick Maloney to combat human trafficking through enhanced training and awareness initiatives within the federal government.
2014: Maloney Votes to Repeal Dodd-Frank Bank Bailout Provision
In 2014, Sean Patrick Maloney voted in favor of repealing the section of the Dodd-Frank Act that prohibited the use of public funds for bank bailouts.
2014: Reelection Campaign for Congress
Sean Patrick Maloney ran for reelection to Congress in 2014, facing Nan Hayworth once again.
June 2016: U.S. Coast Guard Proposes Anchorage Sites on Hudson River
In June 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard put forward a proposal to establish 10 new anchorage sites for commercial vessels on the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston, New York. This proposal raised concerns among local communities and environmental advocates.
June 28, 2016: Diana Hird's Primary Challenge Announcement
Democrat Diana Hird declared her intention to challenge Sean Patrick Maloney in the primary election on June 28, 2016.
June 2018: Democratic Nominee for Reelection and Attorney General
In June 2018, Sean Patrick Maloney secured the Democratic nomination for both reelection to the House and attorney general of New York.
June 2018: Democratic Nomination for Attorney General and House of Representatives
In June 2018, Sean Patrick Maloney sought the Democratic nomination for both attorney general of New York and reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.
August 2018: Maloney Dismisses Statistics on Voting Alignment with Trump
In August 2018, Sean Patrick Maloney dismissed statistics indicating that he had voted with President Donald Trump's position 35% of the time as a "bullshit metric." This statement came as Maloney aimed to position himself as an opponent of the Trump administration.
2018: Maloney Supports Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act
In 2018, Sean Patrick Maloney voted in favor of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. This bill, which rolled back some financial regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis, was criticized by some as being too favorable to the banking industry.
2018: New York Attorney General Candidacy
Sean Patrick Maloney ran for the position of New York Attorney General in 2018, ultimately placing third in the Democratic primary.
December 2019: Maloney's Voting Record Shows Partial Support for Trump Agenda
By December 2019, data indicated that Sean Patrick Maloney had voted in line with President Donald Trump's agenda 23.3% of the time, despite presenting himself as an opponent of Trump's policies.
2020: Reelection to Congress
Sean Patrick Maloney was reelected to Congress in 2020.
January 3, 2021: Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Sean Patrick Maloney assumed the role of chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on January 3, 2021.
March 2021: Maloney Calls for Cuomo's Resignation Amidst Scandals
In March 2021, Sean Patrick Maloney joined a growing chorus of voices calling for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's resignation. The calls for resignation followed allegations of sexual harassment and scrutiny over the Cuomo administration's handling of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.
2021: Maloney Secures Ban on Anchorage Sites in Coast Guard Authorization Act
In 2021, legislation sponsored by Sean Patrick Maloney that prohibited current and future anchorage-site proposals on the Hudson River was incorporated into the Elijah E. Cumming Coast Guard Authorization Act. This legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden, effectively blocked the U.S. Coast Guard's 2016 proposal to establish new anchorage sites, a move praised by both Democrats and Republicans in the region.
2021: Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Sean Patrick Maloney served as the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 2021 to 2023.
2021: Maloney Becomes First Openly Gay Chair of DCCC
In 2021, Sean Patrick Maloney made history by becoming the first openly gay person to be elected as the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ representation in American politics.
May 20, 2022: Mondaire Jones Announces Candidacy in 10th District
On May 20, 2022, Representative Mondaire Jones, facing a primary challenge from Sean Patrick Maloney in New York's 17th congressional district, opted to run in the 10th district instead. This decision followed Maloney's controversial move to seek election in the 17th district after redistricting, which placed his residence in Jones's district.
June 2022: Maloney's Voting Record Shows Full Alignment with Biden's Positions
As of June 2022, Sean Patrick Maloney's voting record indicated that he had voted in alignment with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time. This highlighted Maloney's strong support for the Biden administration's agenda.
2022: Maloney's Focus on National Races and Late Campaigning
During the 2022 election cycle, Sean Patrick Maloney prioritized supporting fellow Democrats in national races. He dismissed Republican spending in his own district as wasteful but later intensified his own campaigning efforts as the election drew closer, recognizing the potential threat from Republican challenger Mike Lawler.
2022: Maloney Wins Primary and General Election Endorsement
In 2022, Sean Patrick Maloney faced a Democratic primary challenge from Alessandra Biaggi, who opposed his decision to run in the 17th district. Maloney won the primary by a significant margin, and Biaggi subsequently endorsed him in the general election.
2022: Maloney's Defeat in the General Election
In a significant upset, Sean Patrick Maloney lost the 2022 general election to Republican Mike Lawler. This marked the first time since 1980 that a campaign chair of either party lost their own re-election bid. Maloney's defeat was a major blow to Democrats and contributed to Republicans gaining a majority in the House of Representatives.
2022: Loss of Reelection Bid
Sean Patrick Maloney lost his reelection bid for New York's 17th congressional district to Republican Mike Lawler in 2022.
May 12, 2023: Nomination for U.S. Ambassador
On May 12, 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Sean Patrick Maloney for the position of U.S. ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
2023: End of Congressional Term
Sean Patrick Maloney's term as the U.S. representative for New York's 18th congressional district concluded in 2023.
March 12, 2024: Senate Confirmation
Sean Patrick Maloney was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the OECD by the United States Senate on March 12, 2024, with a vote of 63 to 31.
April 2, 2024: Arrival in Paris and Presentation of Credentials
On April 2, 2024, Maloney arrived in Paris and presented his credentials to OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, officially assuming his role as U.S. ambassador.
April 2024: Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the OECD
In April 2024, Sean Patrick Maloney assumed the role of U.S. ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
2029: Maloney's Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act Extends Protections
Sean Patrick Maloney's Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act successfully extended the protections of the original 2004 legislation until 2029. This act ensured continued funding and efforts to preserve land, promote tourism, and safeguard wildlife and clean water sources in the Highlands-Appalachian Mountains region. The reauthorization secured $10 million per year for six years to support these conservation goals.