State Assembly Member - District 33
Clyde Vanel
Won the seat in November 2016 and has represented District 33 in the Assembly since 2017; chairs the Assembly Banks Committee and the Subcommittee on Internet and New Technology.
Where they stand
Artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency rules
Has sponsored bills to create a state commission on regulating artificial intelligence, robotics and automation and a cryptocurrency and blockchain study task force, both vetoed, and bills requiring generative AI systems to warn users that outputs may be inaccurate and requiring disclosures in ads for virtual tokens.
Consumer protection, small business and the state budget
Has sponsored enacted laws on how online dating services handle fraudulent members and requiring warnings in gambling and sports betting ads, and a bill barring predatory ATM fees at casinos and colleges. Voted for the 2026-27 budget bill and against bills on LLC ownership rules and third-party liability.
School and public college funding
Voted for the 2024-25 state budget bill covering education, labor, housing and family assistance, which passed the Assembly 93-53 and was signed into law in April 2024.
Issues Clyde is raising
Climate costs, electric vehicles and gas service
Voted for laws creating a climate change adaptation cost recovery program and fund and requiring electric vehicle charging stations and EV-ready parking in certain new construction. Voted against a 2026 bill on the provision of gas service to new customers, which became law.
Medical aid in dying
Voted against the medical aid in dying bill in the Assembly in April 2025; it was signed into law in February 2026.
Background
Based in Cambria Heights, Queens
An intellectual property and business lawyer who owns Vanel Law Firm, P.C., he was raised in Cambria Heights.
- Chair of the Assembly Banks Committee and of the Assembly Subcommittee on Internet and New Technology
- Won the seat in the Nov. 8, 2016 general election and took office in 2017; re-elected in 2022 with 99.4% of the vote and, running uncontested, in 2024 with 98.9%
- Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary over Oster Bryan with about 71% of the vote; also defeated Bryan in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 Democratic primaries
- Ran as a Working Families Party candidate in the 2018 election
- Ran for this seat in 2012, losing the Democratic primary and, on the More Jobs Party line, the general election to incumbent Barbara M. Clark
- Owner and operator of Vanel Law Firm, P.C., practicing intellectual property and business law; operates TrademarkReady.com, a trademark filing service
- Owned and operated the restaurant and lounge Vanel on First in Lower Manhattan for five years
- Founder of the New York Metro chapter of the Black Pilots of America, Inc.
- Member of the MIT AI Policy Forum
- J.D., Boston University School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Science & Technology Law
- B.S. in Aviation Administration and A.A.S. in Aerospace Technology, Farmingdale State College
- Raised in Cambria Heights with nine siblings; member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Support
No endorsements beyond the Democratic nomination were found as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Money
$62K
raised
Top donors: Brian Simon, NYS Independent Bankers PAC, HDR Inc. EO PAC- NY
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