The first openly gay basketball coach in the New York metro-area has announced that he will run for the state Assembly.

Anthony Nicodemo will be running for the seat in the 90th District representing Yonkers, vacated by Shelley Mayer.

"How often do you get the opportunity to have a seat in your district open up?" Nicodemo says. "Where you can get in there and make change?"

The Democratic candidate has no previous political experience but says he brings something that matters more.

As a longtime social studies teacher, Nicodemo says he has a vested interest in getting more funding for Yonkers city schools. If elected, Nicodemo says he will also fight for organized labor, common sense gun report and human rights.

Nicodemo has recently been fighting to keep the Section One High School Championships at the Westchester County Center. He told News 12 that if he is elected he hopes to continue coaching high school basketball.

No other candidates have announced plans to run for the open Assembly seat yet, but several big-name Democrats are rumored to be considering it.