Ed Draves, Director of Governmental Affairs at SRC, is one of New York State’s most experienced and effective lobbyists. His understanding of New York’s legislative and political processes gives clients the informational and strategic insight they need to move their agenda forward. Ed Draves has been included in City & State New York’s Labor Power 100 list in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was named “one of labor’s most savvy political operatives,” by the Buffalo News.
After graduating from Cornell University, Ed was an organizer for the United Automobile Workers. He then returned to New York to work for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), eventually becoming theLegislative and Political Director. During his more than 20 years with the AFSCME, he coordinated the legislative program and political operations for the union’s six affiliates which represented over 400,000 members.
As a lobbyist, Ed was previously a partner at Bolton St. Johns where he continued his political and legislative advocacy. Ed was one of the key lobbyists in the successful passage of cannabis legislation in New York and successfully guided one of the first companies to win a license in the state thru the highly competitive process, and he led the team that secured a license for Rush Street Gaming for the Rivers Casino. This was the first expansion of gaming in New York since the inception of the lottery. He has also been instrumental in helping to create the largest public commitment to thermal energy in the United States.
Ed also has significant experience with political campaigns having served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Upstate during former Senator Hillary Clinton’s successful Senate campaign, Campaign Manager for New York State’s last successful Transportation Bond Act, and as a key advisor for the campaign which elected Buffalo’s Black first mayor, Byron Brown.
Education
- Cornell University, Labor and Industrial Relations