State Assembly Member - District 26

Edward C. Braunstein

DemocraticIncumbent

Has represented the 26th Assembly District in northeast Queens since 2011, after first winning the seat in 2010, and chairs the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee.

Overview Issues Support Money Events Record

Bail, policing and criminal law

In coverage

Sponsors bills, passed by both houses in 2026, to cover texts, emails and direct messages under second-degree aggravated harassment and to bar scrap dealers from selling metals used by critical infrastructure providers. Voted against the Keep Police Radio Public Act and a 2026 law relating to the location of retail adult-use dispensaries near schools and houses of worship.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsors A2239, which adds contacts by text, email, private or direct message and other electronic communication to the definition of second-degree aggravated harassment; he voted yes when it passed the Assembly on Jan. 27, 2026, and it passed the Senate on April 28, 2026. Sponsors A8675, the Prevention of Damage to Critical Infrastructure Act, which bars junk dealers and scrap processors from selling metals used by critical infrastructure providers; he voted yes when it passed the Assembly on May 18, 2026, and it passed the Senate on June 4, 2026. Voted no on A3516, the Keep Police Radio Public Act, on June 5, 2025; the governor vetoed it on Dec. 19, 2025. Voted no on S9155, relating to the location of retail adult-use dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, on Feb. 11, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 2 that day.

Sponsor of A2239 and A8675; voted yes on both, and voted no on A3516 and S9155 · 2025-06-05 to 2026-06-04 · A2239 passed the Assembly (Jan. 27, 2026) and the Senate (April 28, 2026); A8675 passed the Assembly (May 18, 2026) and the Senate (June 4, 2026); A3516 vetoed Dec. 19, 2025; S9155 signed into law as Chapter 2 on Feb. 11, 2026

NY Assembly — A2239 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A8675 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A3516 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S9155 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗

NY Assembly — A2239 (2025) bill page ↗

Taxes and state spending

In coverage

Voted for the bill enacting major parts of the 2026-27 state budget's fiscal plan, which passed the Assembly 91-52 and became law in May 2026. Voted against the state's 2024 capital projects budget.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted yes on S9009, which enacts major components of legislation needed to implement the state fiscal plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year, on May 27, 2026; it passed the Assembly 91-52 with 7 members excused and was signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026. Voted no on A8804, the Capital Projects Budget, on April 19, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 54 on May 1, 2024.

Voted yes on S9009; voted no on A8804 · 2024-04-19 to 2026-05-28 · S9009 signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026; A8804 signed into law as Chapter 54 on May 1, 2024

NY Assembly — S9009 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A8804 (2023) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗

NY Assembly — S9009 (2025) bill page ↗

Co-op and condo homeownership costs

In coverage

Sponsored laws extending a partial property tax abatement for co-op and condo homes in cities with populations of one million or more and letting ground leases be extended or renewed before they expire. Says he introduced a bill giving co-ops a property tax abatement for capital upgrades that cut carbon emissions, to ease compliance with the city's Local Law 97.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored A4972, which extends the partial property tax abatement for residential property held as co-ops or condos in cities of one million or more; he voted yes on May 24, 2023, and it was signed into law as Chapter 147 on June 30, 2023. Sponsored A10467, on ground lease contracts, which allows them to be extended or renewed before they expire; he voted yes on June 7, 2024, and it was signed into law as Chapter 371 on Sept. 27, 2024.

Sponsor of A4972 and A10467; voted yes on both · 2023-05-24 to 2024-09-27 · A4972 signed into law as Chapter 147 on June 30, 2023; A10467 signed into law as Chapter 371 on Sept. 27, 2024

NY Assembly — A4972 (2023) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A10467 (2023) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗

PoliticsNY — Inside Government Q&A with Assembly Member Edward Braunstein (Aug. 2025) ↗

Energy, utilities and climate

In coverage

Sponsors a bill, passed by both houses in 2026, giving the public virtual access to Public Service Commission proceedings and electronic filing, and sponsored a 2025 law removing the salary of the state energy research authority's chair. Voted for a climate change adaptation cost recovery program and fund in 2024.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsors A10424, which ensures the public has virtual access to Public Service Commission proceedings and may file documents electronically; he voted yes when it passed the Assembly on March 30, 2026, and it passed the Senate on May 29, 2026. Sponsored A8154, which removes the salary of the chair of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and allows the chair to hold private employment; he voted yes on May 27, 2025, and it was signed into law as Chapter 497 on Nov. 12, 2025. Voted yes on S2129, which establishes the climate change adaptation cost recovery program and the climate change adaptation fund, in the Assembly floor vote on June 8, 2024. Voted yes on S8812, on when the law on providing gas service to new customers takes effect, on March 31, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 101 on April 10, 2026.

Sponsor of A10424 and A8154, voting yes on both; voted yes on S2129 and S8812 · 2024-06-08 to 2026-05-29 · A10424 passed the Assembly (March 30, 2026) and the Senate (May 29, 2026); A8154 signed into law as Chapter 497 on Nov. 12, 2025; S2129 Assembly floor vote June 8, 2024; S8812 signed into law as Chapter 101 on April 10, 2026

NY Assembly — A10424 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A8154 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S2129 (2023) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S8812 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗

NY Assembly — A10424 (2025) bill page ↗

Medical aid in dying

In coverage

Voted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which covers a terminally ill patient's request for and use of medication for medical aid in dying. It passed the Assembly 81-67 in April 2025 and was signed into law in February 2026.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted yes on A136, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, on April 29, 2025; it passed the Assembly 81-67 with 2 members excused and was signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026.

Voted yes · 2025-04-29 · Signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026

NY Assembly — A136 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗

NY Assembly — A136 (2025) bill page ↗

Local ballot questions and charter commissions

In coverage

Voted against a 2025 bill to end the rule that bars all other local referendum questions from the ballot whenever a city charter commission puts a proposal on it. The governor vetoed the bill.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on A3665 on June 10, 2025; the bill proposed to eliminate the rule barring other local referendum proposals from the ballot whenever a city charter commission puts a proposal on the local ballot, and the governor vetoed it on Dec. 5, 2025.

Voted no · 2025-06-10 · Vetoed by the governor on Dec. 5, 2025

NY Assembly — A3665 (2025) bill page, actions and floor votes ↗

NY Assembly — A3665 (2025) bill page ↗

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No public position yet on Schools and specialized programs

Others running for State Assembly Member - District 26

RSRobert J. Speranza