Antonio Pagán

Antonio Pagán (August 22, 1958^[1] – January 25, 2009) was an American politician, who held roles in the municipal government of New York City. He served on New York City Council for six years, and was subsequently appointed the city's commissioner of The Department of Employment by mayor Rudy Giuliani in 1998.^[2]

Pagán, a native of Manhattan who spent much of his early life in Puerto Rico, became one of the two first openly gay men elected to the New York City Council in 1991, along with Thomas Duane, after Pagán narrowly upset the incumbent, Miriam Friedlander, in a close-fought Democratic primary.^[2]

Background

Pagán was born in Manhattan, New York and spent most of his childhood in Puerto Rico. He was educated at the University of Puerto Rico and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Political career

Although he was a Democrat, Pagán was noted for his more conservative positions on certain issues, including opposition to low-income housing, and was frequently criticized by both gay and Puerto Rican activist groups for taking positions they felt were contrary to community interests.^[2] However, he also often fought to protect small local and independent businesses that were threatened by increased competition from national chain stores.^[2]

At the end of his second council, Pagán opted not to run for a third term on council — instead he sought the Democratic nomination for Manhattan borough president, coming in fourth in the primary. He broke party ranks to endorse Giuliani over Democratic challenger Ruth Messinger in that year's mayoral race. Following the election, Giuliani named Pagán as commissioner of The Department of Employment, a post he held until 2002.

Death

Pagán died in 2009, aged 50, but the cause of death was never publicly disclosed. He was survived by his mother and three brothers.

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