2026 New York State Senate election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 New York State Senate election will be held on November 3, 2026.[1] Primary elections will be held on June 23, 2026.[2] It will be held alongside elections for governor, attorney general, comptroller, United States House of Representatives, and State Assembly.
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November 3, 2026
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All 63 seats in the New York State Senate 32 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||
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 Incumbent status: Republican incumbent retiring Democratic incumbent Republican incumbent | |||||||||||||||||||
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In the 2024 election, the Democratic Party retained its State Senate majority, but lost its veto-proof (two-thirds) majority after it lost one seat in the election for the 17th Senate district.[3]
Candidates must file paperwork between March 30 and April 2, 2026, to run.[4]
Outgoing incumbents
Incumbents who vacated office before end of term
Democrats
- 22nd district: Simcha Felder resigned on April 9, 2025 after winning a special election to the New York City Council.[5] Replaced by Democrat Sam Sutton in a special election held May 20, 2025.[6]
- 47th district: Brad Hoylman-Sigal resigned on January 1, 2026 following election as borough president of Manhattan. Replaced by Erik Bottcher in the February 2026 Special election.
- 61st district: Sean Ryan resigned on January 1, 2026 following election as Mayor of Buffalo. Replaced by Jeremy Zellner in the February 2026 Special election.
Incumbents not running for reelection
Democrats
- 12th district: Michael Gianaris is retiring.[7]
- 27th district: Brian P. Kavanagh is retiring.[8]
Republicans
- 7th district: Jack Martins is retiring.[9]
- 8th district: Alexis Weik is retiring.[10]
- 51st district: Peter Oberacker is running for the U.S. House of Representatives[11]
February 3 special elections
Several New York State Senate seats became vacant during the 2024–2026 term due to resignations following election to other offices. Under New York law, these vacancies are filled by special elections, scheduled separately from the regular election cycle. The winners of these special elections will serve the remainder of the unexpired terms and are expected to seek full terms in the 2026 general election.
According to the New York State Board of Elections, special elections for State Senate Districts 47 and 61 were scheduled for February 3, 2026. Party nominations were made by county party committees, rather than through primary elections.[12]
District 47
The seat became vacant after Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal resigned effective December 31, 2025, following his election as Manhattan Borough President.
Erik Bottcher was selected as the Democratic nominee by the district's membership of the Manhattan County party committee, whose special nomination meeting took place on January 11, 2026.[13] The Republican nominee was originally Kevin O'Connell, later replaced by Charlotte Friedman.[14] Bottcher won the special election and assumed office on February 4, 2026.[15]
District 61
The seat for the 61st district became vacant after Senator Sean Ryan resigned effective January 1, 2026, following his election as Mayor of Buffalo.
Assemblymember Jon Rivera had made his intentions to seek the seat before Ryan's resignation, and formally announced his candidacy on October 9, 2025.[16] Erie County Democratic chair Jeremy Zellner announced his candidacy on January 5, 2026.[17] Zellner was nominated by the party as their official candidate. The Republicans and Conservatives nominated perennial candidate Dan Gagliardo. [18] Zellner won the election and assumed office on February 4, 2026.[19]
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[20] | Safe D | January 22, 2026 |
Summary by district
† = incumbent who did not seek re-election
Italics = non-incumbent
Bold = district flipped from one party to the other
Detailed results
District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40 • District 41 • District 42 • District 43 • District 44 • District 45 • District 46 • District 47 • District 48 • District 49 • District 50 • District 51 • District 52 • District 53 • District 54 • District 55 • District 56 • District 57 • District 58 • District 59 • District 60 • District 61 • District 62 • District 63
District 1
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Anthony Palumbo won re-election to a third term.
Presumptive Republican/Conservative nominee
- Anthony Palumbo, incumbent Senator [21]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Farzeen Bham, candidate for New York State Senate in 2022[22]
- E.Christopher Murray (also on WFP line) [23]
District 2
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Mario Mattera won re-election to a third term.
Candidates
Presumptive Republican/Conservative nominee
- Mario Mattera, incumbent Senator[24]
Presumptive Democratic nominee
- Jonathan D Estreich[25]
District 3
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Dean Murray won re-election to a second term.
Candidates
Presumptive Republican/Conservative nominee
- Dean Murray, incumbent Senator[26]
Presumptive Democratic nominee
- Antonio Vargas-Ayala[27]
District 4
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Monica Martinez won re-election to a second term, her third overall.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Monica Martinez, incumbent Senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Brianne Wakefield, activist[28]
District 5
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Steven Rhoads won re-election to a second term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Steven Rhoads, incumbent Senator[28]
District 6
In 2024, Democratic Senator Siela Bynoe won a first term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Siela Bynoe, incumbent Senator[28]
District 7
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Jack Martins won re-election to a second consecutive term, his fifth term overall.
Republican primary
Presumptive nomninee
- Jake Blumencranz, Assemblymember[29]
Withdrawn
- Jack Martins, incumbent Senator[30]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Rory Lancman, former New York City councilmember from the 24th district (2014–2020)[31]
District 8
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Alexis Weik won re-election to a third term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Alexis Weik, incumbent Senator[28]
District 9
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick won re-election to a second term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, incumbent Senator[28]
District 10
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator James Sanders Jr. won re-election to a seventh term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- James Sanders Jr., incumbent Senator
District 11
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Toby Ann Stavisky won re-election to a fourteenth full term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Adam Azam, community leader[32]
- Sean Henry Miller, regional director of Young Invincibles[33]
- Andrew Engel, attorney[34]
- Toby Ann Stavisky, incumbent Senator[28]
District 12
In 2024, incumbent Democrat Michael Gianaris won re-election to an eighth term. He declined to run for re-election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Aber Kawas, activist and organizer[35]
- Steven Raga, state assemblymember from the 30th district (2023–present)[36]
Potential
- Stylianos Karolidis, podcast host[37]
- Jimmy Van Bramer, former Majority Leader of the New York City Council (2014–2017) from the 26th District (2010–2021)[37]
Declined
- Michael Gianaris, incumbent senator[37]
- Amit Singh Bagga, consultant and former aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul[37]
- Brian Romero, chief of staff to state senator Kristen Gonzalez and candidate for AD-34 in 2026[37]
Endorsements
- Organizations
- State legislators
- Catalina Cruz, state assemblymember from the 39th district (2019–present)[38]
- Local officials
- Donovan Richards, borough president of Queens (2020–present)[38]
- Jimmy Van Bramer, former majority leader of the New York City Council (2014–2017) from the 26th district (2010–2021)[38]
- Organizations
District 13
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Jessica Ramos won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Jessica Ramos, incumbent Senator[40][41]
- Jessica González-Rojas, state assemblymember from the 34th district[42][28]
- Hiram Monserrate, former member of the New York City Council and New York State Senate[43]
Endorsements
- U.S. representatives
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, NY-14 (2019–present)[44]
- Nydia Velázquez, NY-07 (1993–present)[45]
- State legislators
- Steven Raga, state assemblymember from the 30th district (2025–present)[46]
- Larinda Hooks, state assemblymember from the 35th district (2025–present)[44]
- Claire Valdez, state assemblymember from the 37th district (2025–present)[44]
- Catalina Cruz, state assemblymember from the 39th district (2019–present)[42]
- Local officials
- Jumaane Williams, New York City Public Advocate (2019–present)[45]
- Donovan Richards, Queens borough president (2020–present)[42]
- Tiffany Cabán, New York City Council member from the 22nd district (2022–present)[42]
- Shekar Krishnan, New York City Council member from the 23rd district (2022–present)[42]
- Linda Lee, New York City Council member from the 25th district (2022–present)[44]
- Alexa Avilés, New York City Council member from the 38th district (2022–present)[46]
- Shahana Hanif, New York City Council member from the 39th district (2022–present)[46]
- Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller (2022–2025)[42]
- Organizations
- Latino Victory Fund[47]
- Make the Road New York Action[48]
- NARAL Pro-Choice America[49]
- Stonewall Democrats[50]
- Sunrise NYC[44]
- Labor unions
- Political parties
- New York Working Families Party[51]
- Labor unions
- Transport Workers Union of America Local 100[52]
District 14
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Leroy Comrie won re-election to a sixth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Leroy Comrie, incumbent Senator[28]
District 15
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. won re-election to a ninth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Joseph Addabbo Jr., incumbent Senator
District 16
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator John Liu won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Juan Pagan, candidate for this district in 2024[28]
District 17
In 2024, Republican Steve Chan defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Iwen Chu.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Larry He, chief of staff to William Colton[28]
Potential
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Steve Chan, incumbent Senator[28]
District 18
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Julia Salazar won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Julia Salazar, incumbent Senator[28]
District 19
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Roxanne Persaud won re-election to a fifth full term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Roxanne Persaud, incumbent Senator
District 20
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Zellnor Myrie won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Zellnor Myrie, incumbent Senator
- Brian Cunningham, New York State Assembly Member for the 43rd district[54]
District 21
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Kevin Parker won re-election to a twelfth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Kevin Parker, incumbent Senator
District 22
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Simcha Felder, who caucused with the Republican Party until 2019 won re-election to a seventh term. In 2025, he left the state senate to become the New York City Council Member for the 44th district. On May 20, 2025, Democrat Sam Sutton won the special election to replace Felder.[6]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Sam Sutton, incumbent Senator[28]
Republican Primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Nachman "Carl" Caller, candidate for this district in 2025 and for New York State Assembly in 2014 New York State Assembly election[28]
- Bernard Vaiselberg, businessman and community activist[28][55]
District 23
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton won re-election to a second term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, incumbent Senator[28]
- Omar Mohamad, former EMS[28]
- Ruslan Shamal, candidate for New York City Council in 2023
Endorsements
- U.S. representatives
- Jamaal Bowman, former NY-16 (2021–2025)[56]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declined
- Steven Margolis, Chairman of the New York Federation of College Republicans (explored run but withdrew)
District 24
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Andrew Lanza won re-election to a third term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Andrew Lanza, incumbent Senator
District 25
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Jabari Brisport won re-election to a third term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Jabari Brisport, incumbent senator[57]
- Marlon Rice, community activist[57]
District 26
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Andrew Gounardes won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Andrew Gounardes, incumbent Senator[28]
District 27
Incumbent Democratic senator Brian Kavanagh declined to run for re-election to a fifth full term, instead endorsing state assemblymember Grace Lee to succeed him.[58]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Grace Lee, state assemblymember from the 65th district (2022–present)[58]
- Yuh-Line Niou, former state assemblymember from the 65th district (2017–2022)[59]
Declined
- Brian Kavanagh, incumbent senator[60] (endorsed Lee)[58]
Endorsements
District 28
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Liz Krueger won re-election to a twelfth full term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Liz Krueger, incumbent Senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Alina Bonsell, candidate for New York City Council in 2025[63]
District 29
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator José M. Serrano won re-election to an eleventh term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- José M. Serrano, incumbent Senator
District 30
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Cordell Cleare won re-election to a second full term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Cordell Cleare, incumbent Senator[28]
District 31
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Robert Jackson won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Robert Jackson, incumbent Senator[28]
District 32
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Luis Sepúlveda won re-election to a fourth full term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Luis Sepúlveda, incumbent Senator
District 33
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Gustavo Rivera won re-election to an eighth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Gustavo Rivera, incumbent Senator[28]
District 34
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Nathalia Fernandez won re-election to a second term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Nathalia Fernandez, incumbent Senator
District 35
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins won re-election to a tenth term.
Candidates
Presumptive Democratic/Working Families nominee
- Andrea Stewart-Cousins, incumbent Senator[64]
Presumptive Republican nominee
Presumptive Conservative nominee
District 36
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Jamaal Bailey won re-election to a fifth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Jamaal Bailey, incumbent Senator
District 37
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Shelley Mayer won re-election to a fourth full term.
Candidates
Presumptive Democratic/Working Families nominee
- Shelley Mayer, incumbent Senator[28][67]
Presumptive Republican/Conservative nominee
- Thomas Fix JR[68]
District 38
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Bill Weber won re-election to a second term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Bill Weber, incumbent Senator
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
District 39
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Robert Rolison won re-election to a second term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Robert Rolison, incumbent Senator[28]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Lisa Kaul, Dutchess County legislator[70][28]
- Evan Menist, Poughkeepsie common council member[28][71]
Withdrawn
- Emma Arnoff, Dutchess County legislator[72]
District 40
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Peter Harckham won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Peter Harckham, incumbent Senator[28][73]
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Gina Arena, activist and candidate for this district in 2024 and 2022[28][74]
District 41
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Michelle Hinchey won re-election to a third term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Michelle Hinchey, incumbent Senator[28]
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Patrick Sheehan, candidate for this district in 2024 and for state assembly in 2024[28][75]
District 42
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator James Skoufis won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- James Skoufis, incumbent Senator[28]
District 43
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Jake Ashby won re-election to a second term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Devin Lander, New York State historian[76]
- Alvin Gamble, energy consultant and candidate for this district in 2024[28][77]
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Jake Ashby, incumbent Senator[28]
District 44
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Jim Tedisco won re-election to a fifth term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Jim Tedisco, incumbent Senator
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Patrick Nelson, candidate for this district in 2020[28]
District 45
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Stec won re-election to a third term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Melissa Seale, small business owner[28]
District 46
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Patricia Fahy won election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Patricia Fahy, incumbent Senator[28]
District 47
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal won re-election to a seventh term. In November 2025, he was elected Manhattan Boro President.[78]
February 3rd Special election
The ballot was to be finalized by January 12, with early voting beginning on January 24th.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Erik Bottcher | |||
| Working Families | Erik Bottcher | |||
| Total | Erik Bottcher | |||
| Republican | Charlotte Friedman | |||
| Write-in | ||||
| Total votes | ||||
Regular election
The winner of the Special election is expected to run for a full term in their party's June primary. Should there be no opposition by the end of petitioning in March, the primary will be cancelled and the sole candidate be deemed nominated.
Endorsements
Organizations
District 48
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Rachel May won re-election to a fourth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Rachel May, incumbent Senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Richard McCarron, Onondaga County Legislator[80]
District 49
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Mark Walczyk won re-election to a second term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Mark Walczyk, incumbent Senator
District 50
In 2024, Democratic Senator Chris Ryan won the election.
Democratic Primary
Candidates
Potential
- Chris Ryan, incumbent Senator
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- James Corl, State Senate office worker[81]
District 51
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Peter Oberacker won re-election to a third term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Christopher Tague, state assemblyman from the 102nd district (2018–present)[82]
- Terry Blosser-Bernardo, Sullivan County legislator[83]
Declined
- Peter Oberacker, incumbent Senator (running for the U.S. House of Representatives)[84]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Michele Frazier, former Oneonta, New York city councilwoman, candidate for this district in 2024[85]
District 52
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Lea Webb won re-election to a second term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Potential
- Lea Webb, incumbent Senator
District 53
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Joseph Griffo won re-election to a tenth term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Joseph Griffo, incumbent Senator
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Mandi Drake[86]
District 54
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Pamela Helming won re-election to a tenth term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Michael Mills, Canandaigua, New York city councilman (2024–present)[87][28]
- Scott Comegys[87][28]
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Pamela Helming, incumbent Senator[28]
District 55
In 2024, incumbent Democrat Senator Samra Brouk won re-election to a third term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Samra Brouk, incumbent Senator[28]
District 56
In 2024, incumbent Democrat Senator Jeremy Cooney won re-election to a third term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Jeremy Cooney, incumbent Senator[28]
District 57
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator George Borrello won re-election to a third full term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- George Borrello, incumbent Senator
District 58
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Tom O'Mara won re-election to an eighth term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Tom O'Mara, incumbent Senator[28]
District 59
In 2024, incumbent Democrat Senator Kristen Gonzalez won re-election to a second term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Kristen Gonzalez, incumbent Senator[28]
District 60
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Patrick Gallivan won re-election to an eighth term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Patrick Gallivan, incumbent Senator
District 61
In 2024, incumbent Democratic Senator Sean Ryan won re-election to a third term. In the 2025 Buffalo mayoral election, Ryan was elected Mayor of Buffalo in November 2025, leaving a vacancy effective January 1, 2026.
Special February 3rd eleciton
Democratic nominee
- Jeremy Zellner, chairman of the Erie County Democratic Committee[88][89][90]
Republican/Conservative nominees
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jeremy Zellner | 18,752 | 59.46 | |
| Republican | Dan Gagliardo | 9,630 | 30.54 | |
| Conservative | Dan Gagliardo | 2,961 | 9.39 | |
| Total | Dan Gagliardo | 12,591 | 39.93 | |
| Write-in | 164 | 0.52 | ||
| Total votes | 31,536 | 100 | ||
Regular election
Democratic primary
Declared
- Jonathan Rivera, state assemblymember from the 149th district (2021–present)[93]
- Jeremy Zellner, incumbent State Senator.
Endorsements
District 62
In 2024, incumbent Republican Senator Rob Ortt won re-election to a sixth term.
Republican primary
Candidates
Potential
- Rob Ortt, incumbent Senator
District 63
In 2024, Democratic Senator April Baskin won the election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- April Baskin, incumbent Senator[28]