Landon Dais was announced as the Democratic nominee for Assembly District 77 at the Bronx County Committee meeting of the 77th Assembly District held on Jan. 18, according to the Bronx Democratic Party. The committee announced that the duly elected committee members voted unanimously to nominate Dais for the seat, vacated when, as reported, former Assembly Member Latoya Joyner announced her surprise resignation on Jan. 4. 

 

The Bronx Democratic Party and Chairman Jamaal T. Bailey (S.D. 36) said the party was pleased to announce the nomination of Dais as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming special election which, according to recent reporting by City & State, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul “quietly” scheduled for Feb. 13.

 

In a press release issued at 6.06 p.m. the same day as the meeting took place, Jan. 18, Hochul announced the special election date as Feb. 13. According to the press release, Hochul had issued a proclamation on Jan. 12 pursuant to the Public Officers Law and filed with the Department of State in which the Feb. 13 date had been set.

 

Also on the same day, as reported, Democratic male district leader for Assembly District 77, Yves Filius, withdrew his candidacy for the position of assembly member in the same district.

 

“With Latoya Joyner’s departure from the Assembly, a special election to ensure representation for the 77th District will be held in February,” the governor wrote. “I’m grateful for the extraordinary service Latoya has performed for her constituents and our State. I wish her luck as she embarks on a new journey, and I look forward to working with the next representative to deliver for New York.”

 

Meanwhile, Bailey expressed his support for Dais, saying, “We are proud to congratulate Landon Dais on his nomination by his neighbors––the County Committee members of the 77th Assembly District. I thank the County Committee members for their service and active participation in democracy.”

 

He added, “Landon is not just a longtime community member but also someone who brings a rich educational background and an unwavering drive to address the unique needs of this district. His multifaceted experience and deep-rooted dedication to the community make him the ideal representative for our district. I have full confidence in Landon’s ability to serve with dedication and to make a significant and positive impact.”

 

According to the Bronx Democratic Party website, Dais currently serves as a vice chair of the executive committee. He is a lawyer and a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, and Morehouse College, according to his LinkedIn profile. Dais also holds a Masters in real estate development from Columbia University and is currently self-employed as a political and community engagement business consultant with Dais Associates since July 2022.

Previously, among other roles, Dais worked as an attorney with Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana LLP, citing skills in cannabis law, labor and employment law; as a director of government affairs and public sector growth at Create Me; and as chief strategy officer at Plant Inspired Future. He previously volunteered with Help for Harlem and Harlem Toy Drive, and is a Yankees fan.

The Bronx Democratic Party described Dais an “accomplished individual” with a dynamic background that spans various industries and sectors. “As a devoted father, caring husband, and active community member, Landon has always put the needs of his family and community first,” the party wrote. “His professional journey is marked by significant roles in the cannabis industry, legal field, and political arena. Before embarking on his legal career, Dais gained substantial experience as a political strategist, working on federal, state, and municipal campaigns.”

 

The party continued, “His insights into political strategies have granted him significant access to elected officials, influencing the future of cannabis laws and policies. He also brings experience from the construction and real estate development industry, having worked as a project manager and engineer at major construction firms.”

 

The Bronx Democratic Party members went on to say that they were “confident that Dais, with his diverse professional background and dedication to community service, will serve the people of the 77th Assembly District with integrity, passion, and effectiveness.”

 

As previously reported, typically, when special elections are called, candidates with good name recognition or those backed by the so-called Bronx Democratic Party “machine” are generally thought to hold an advantage over any opponents as there is little time for other candidates to canvass votes, and voters, often at a loss in terms of who to vote for, will go with the only candidate with any name recognition or standing with the party.

 

Editor’s Note: The updated version of this story includes details of the governor’s announcement and comments regarding the setting of the special election date, the withdrawal of Yves Filius from the race for assembly member of the 77th assembly district, and the endorsement by NYLCV of Dais.