Sam Hoyt

Sam Hoyt
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 144th district
In office
1992–2011
Preceded byWilliam Hoyt
Succeeded bySean M. Ryan
Personal details
Born
William Ballard Hoyt III

(1962-01-09) January 9, 1962
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseConstance "Connie" (Gallivan) Hoyt
Childrentwo
ResidenceBuffalo, New York
Alma materBuffalo State College
ProfessionEconomic developmentalist

William Ballard "Sam" Hoyt III (born January 9, 1962) is an American politician from New York. A Democrat, Hoyt is an economic development professional and was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1992 to 2011. He represented the 144th Assembly district, consisting of part of Buffalo, New York, and all of Grand Island, New York, from 1992 to 2011. Hoyt was first elected to succeed his late father, William Hoyt. He resigned from office in 2011 after a sexual harassment suit and he previously was the subject of an ethics investigation in 2008 concerning a two-year sexual relationship with a 23-year-old assembly intern, named Lori Gradwell.

He was then appointed to an economic development position as Regional President of the Empire State Development Corporation in New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's administration. He was also Interim Chairman of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, and Vice Chairman of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority.

Hoyt is founder and president of Upstate Strategic Advisors LLC, a full-service PR, lobbying, and government relations firm based in Buffalo, NY