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Betsy Gotbaum is the New York Public Advocate. A longtime civic leader, this is her first elective office. She is a Democrat.

Gotbaum, a trained teacher, became involved in civic affairs in the 1970s, while serving on the staff of former Mayor John Lindsay. In the 1980s she served as the Executive Director of the New York Police Foundation, a non profit group which supports the New York City Police Department.

From 1990 to 1994 she served as New York City Parks Commissioner in the administration of former Mayor David Dinkins. In this position she oversaw all of the city's parks and beaches, along with recreational programs. She was a frequent presence on local media during her time as parks commissioner.

After leaving the Parks Department, Gotbaum became President of the New-York Historical Society, a position she held until launching her campaign for Public Advocate in 2001.

In 2001, Gotbaum finished first in the Democratic primary and then defeated Norman Siegel in the Democratic runoff. She was unopposed in the general election. As Public Advocate she has taken a more low key approach than her predecessor, Mark Green. She has focused on education policy, along with economic development and has been known to work with Mayor Michael Bloomberg on certain issues. She battled Bloomberg on mayoral succession issues.

Critics allege that via her unambitious ambitions she has eviscerated the office of Public Advocate, which is supposed to be a major check and balance to the Mayor. As Wayne Barrett wrote in the Village Voice, "she thinks so small and talks so big."

In the September 13, 2005 Democratic primary, Gotbaum beat civil rights advocate Norman Siegel, as well as information technology and Wi-Fi advocate Andrew Rasiej, and the pro-business Queens-based dentist Jay Golub. She was unopposed in the general election. She took the oath of office for a second term on January 1, 2006. She is barred by term limits from seeking reelection in 2009.

She is married to former New York City labor leader Victor Gotbaum.

• Mayor: Mark J. Green
• Public Advocate: Betsy Gotbaum
• Comptroller: William Thompson

• Mayor: Fernando Ferrer
• Public Advocate: Betsy Gotbaum
• Comptroller: William Thompson

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