Bill Owens (New York politician)
Bill Owens (born January 20, 1949) is an American attorney and former U.S. Representative from New York. He served in Congress from 2009 to 2015, representing the state’s North Country in the 23rd district (2009–2013) and then the 21st district (2013–2015) after redistricting. Owens is a Democrat who had been an independent before running for Congress. He later joined the advisory board of the Canadian American Business Council.
Background and career before Congress
Owens was born in New York City and raised in Mineola, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Manhattan College and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1975 to 1982, rising to the rank of Captain and being stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base. After leaving active duty, he built a career as a lawyer, becoming a managing partner at a practice in the North Country and teaching business law at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. He also helped revive the Plattsburgh area economy after the base closed, creating jobs through the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation. In 2004, he was appointed to the SUNY Plattsburgh College Council.
Congressional career
Owens won a 2009 special election to fill the seat vacated by John McHugh. The race drew national attention because he ran as a Democrat after starting as an independent, against Republican Dede Scozzafava and Conservative Doug Hoffman. Owens pledged to focus on jobs, Fort Drum, veterans, and farmers, and he took his seat on November 6, 2009.
He won reelection in 2010 and, after redistricting, in 2012 (now in the 21st district). He argued for job creation, attracting foreign manufacturers, and preserving Fort Drum, while also supporting modest federal budget restraint. His legislative efforts included a Rural Jobs Tax Credit Act to encourage rural hiring, and he backed the Budget Process Improvement Act of 2011. He supported the extension of certain tax cuts for high earners and backed the Keystone Pipeline project. He voted for the Affordable Care Act in 2009 and 2010, and for related health reform legislation. He also supported the Stop Online Piracy Act and was involved in discussions about defense-related earmarks, including projects for Fort Drum.
On social issues, Owens supported civil unions but held that marriage should remain a one-man, one-woman institution. In 2011, he co-sponsored the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
In January 2014, Owens announced he would not seek reelection. He left Congress after his term ended in January 2015 and was succeeded by Republican Elise Stefanik.
Later career and personal life
After leaving Congress, Owens joined the board of Arrow Financial Corporation and its subsidiary Glens Falls National Bank, eventually serving as Lead Director and Chairman of the Board for about 14 months before reaching the company’s mandatory retirement age in May 2024.
Owens and his wife, Jane, have three children and six grandchildren. Jane is an early childhood educator and later led education outreach for Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh. The Owens family is Roman Catholic.
Current roles
Owens is active on the advisory board of the Canadian American Business Council and remains involved in business and public affairs in the North Country.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:46 (CET).