Rachel Storch
Rachel Storch | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives | |
| In office January 5, 2005 – January 5, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Hilgemann |
| Succeeded by | Susan Carlson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 5, 1972 New York City, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Barry Akrongold (m. 2010) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Washington University School of Law (JD) |
Rachel Storch (born September 5, 1972) is an American politician who served in the Missouri House of Representatives from the 64th district from 2005 to 2011. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue and is a candidate in the 2025 New York City Council election for the Democratic nomination from the 4th district.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Storch was born in Manhattan, New York City, and her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, when she was two years old. Her father, Gregory A. Storch, is currently a professor at the Washington University School of Medicine and previously served as the director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at St. Louis Children's Hospital.[2] She grew up in University City and attended John Burroughs School.[3]
She graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts and the Washington University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 1997.[3]
Career
[edit]Storch worked as a lawyer at the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, then worked on the 2000 U.S. Senate campaign of Mel Carnahan. After his death in a plane crash, Storch worked for two years as deputy chief of staff for his widow, U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan.[3]
She went on to work as a legal counsel in the Missouri Senate, and as state director for Hillary Clinton's 2008 primary campaign.[3]
Storch currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue, an Orthodox synagogue in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.[4]
Missouri House of Representatives
[edit]She was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2004, then re-elected twice, representing the 64th district, which included the neighborhoods of St. Louis south of Forest Park, including Dogtown.[3]
In 2009, the Aspen Institute announced Storch would be part of the 5th annual class of the Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership.[5]
2025 New York City Council campaign
[edit]In 2024, Storch announced her campaign for the 2025 New York City Council election in the 4th district, where incumbent Democrat Keith Powers is term-limited. Storch highlighted combatting antisemitism and pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University as inspiring her to run for office.[3] She opted out of the New York City Campaign Finance Board's public matching funds program, meaning she is not required to adhere to any spending limits.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Storch married Barry Akrongold, a real estate investor, in 2010; the couple moved to New York City soon after and have four children.[2] She is Jewish.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Diep, William (November 4, 2024). "With a well-funded former Missouri lawmaker in the mix, Upper East Side council race is shaping up to be pricey". City & State. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Peterson, Deb (April 5, 2011). "Former state Rep. Rachel Storch is a new mom". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Holleman, Joe (May 16, 2024). "Former Missouri legislator Rachel Storch running for New York City Council". St Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ "Rachel Storch-Akrongold Biography at Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies". community.schusterman.org. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
- ^ "The Aspen Institute Selects 24 "Rising Stars" in Governance For Its Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership Program". Aspen Institute. July 29, 2009. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
External links
[edit]- 1972 births
- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the Missouri House of Representatives
- Women state legislators in Missouri
- Harvard College alumni
- Washington University School of Law alumni
- 21st-century members of the Missouri General Assembly
- 21st-century American women politicians
- John Burroughs School alumni