State Senator - District 27

Grace Lee

Democratic

Assembly Member for District 65 in Lower Manhattan — the Lower East Side, Chinatown, SoHo, NoHo, Little Italy and the Financial District — since winning the seat in 2022; she has served two terms and did not file for re-election to the Assembly in 2026.

Overview Issues Support Money Events

Housing and public housing

In coverage

Supports extending and expanding the J-51 tax abatement so co-ops and rent-stabilized buildings can pay for repairs and clean-energy upgrades, and a state Social Housing Development Authority to build permanently affordable public housing. Her campaign says she introduced a Teardown Tax: $50,000 for each unit removed when a multi-family building becomes a single-family home.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted yes on S8306, the 2024-25 state budget bill for education, labor, housing and family assistance, on April 20, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 56 the same day.

Assembly member; voted yes on S8306 · 2024-04-20 · Signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024

NY Assembly — S8306 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗

Grace Lee for Senate — Policy ↗

Public safety and criminal justice

In coverage

Supports ending qualified immunity and passing the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills. Her campaign says she co-authored and passed the Hate Crimes Modernization Act, adding 31 offenses to the state's hate crime law, helped pass the 2023 Clean Slate Act that automatically seals eligible records, and co-sponsored a 2025 prison oversight package.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored A7360, changing the membership of the state's interagency task force on human trafficking and extending its provisions; she voted for it when it passed the Assembly on May 30, 2023, it passed the Senate on June 7, 2023, and it was signed into law as Chapter 496 on Sept. 27, 2023.

Sponsor of A7360; voted yes · 2023-05-30 to 2023-09-27 · Signed into law as Chapter 496 on Sept. 27, 2023

NY Assembly — A7360 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗

Grace Lee for Senate — Policy ↗

Taxes and the cost of living

Supports raising revenue from the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations to pay for public services: higher income tax rates on ultra-high earners, a wealth tax, closing corporate tax loopholes, inheritance and gift tax changes, and a tax on second homes worth $5 million or more. Also backs capping low-income households' utility bills at 6% of income.

Grace Lee for Senate — Policy ↗

Immigration enforcement

In coverage

Supports the New York for All Act to limit state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement, the MELT Act barring ICE agents from wearing masks, public reporting on enforcement, and bans on immigration enforcement in schools and near polling places. Also backs a statewide right to counsel in immigration court and professional licenses regardless of immigration status.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored A9057, requiring banks to accept the New York City ID card as a primary form of identification; it passed the Assembly with her vote on June 4, 2024 and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

Sponsor of A9057; voted yes · 2024-06-04 · Passed the Assembly on June 4, 2024; referred to the Senate Rules Committee

NY Assembly — A9057 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗

Grace Lee for Senate — Policy ↗

Health care and hospitals

In coverage

Supports a state-funded health plan for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers who do not qualify for federal programs. Her campaign says she co-sponsors the New York Health Act for universal single-payer coverage and introduced a bill requiring health providers on probation to disclose it to current and new patients.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored A6522, letting Medicaid accountable care organizations buy experience-rated health insurance for their members; it passed the Assembly with her vote on May 4, 2026 and the Senate on June 2, 2026. Sponsored A11538, extending World Trade Center death and disability benefit eligibility for members of the state's organized militia, signed into law as Chapter 294 on Sept. 10, 2026 (she was recorded as excused on the final Assembly vote). Sponsored A11360, requiring labels on certain baby cosmetic products that contain a carcinogen; it passed the Assembly with her vote on June 2, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee on June 3. Co-sponsored A136, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, and voted yes on April 29, 2025; it was signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026. Voted yes on S8307, the 2024-25 health and mental hygiene budget bill, which passed the Assembly 99-47 on April 19, 2024 and was signed as Chapter 57 on April 20, 2024, and on S8807, on protections for legally protected health activities, on March 31, 2026; it was signed as Chapter 128 on June 5, 2026.

Sponsor of A6522, A11538 and A11360; co-sponsor of A136; voted yes on A6522, A11360, A136, S8307 and S8807 · 2024-04-19 to 2026-09-10 · A11538 signed as Chapter 294 (Sept. 10, 2026); A136 signed as Chapter 714 (Feb. 6, 2026); S8307 signed as Chapter 57 (April 20, 2024); S8807 signed as Chapter 128 (June 5, 2026); A6522 passed both houses by June 2, 2026; A11360 passed the Assembly and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee on June 3, 2026

NY Assembly — A6522 (2025-26) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A11538 (2025-26) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A11360 (2025-26) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A136 (2025-26) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S8307 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S8807 (2025-26) bill record and floor votes ↗

Grace Lee for Senate — Policy ↗

Congestion tolls and transit

In coverage

Wants residents of Lower and Midtown Manhattan who earn under $60,000 a year exempted from congestion tolls, and supports requiring license plates and registration for certain e-bikes. Her campaign says she secured funding for elevators at the Delancey-Essex Street subway station.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted yes on A8808, the 2024-25 state budget bill for transportation, economic development and environmental conservation, on April 18, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 58 on April 20, 2024.

Voted yes on A8808 · 2024-04-18 · Signed into law as Chapter 58 on April 20, 2024

NY Assembly — A8808 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗

Grace Lee for Senate — Policy ↗

Climate and the environment

In coverage

Supports requiring major companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, expanding affordable solar power and a New York Youth Climate Corps. Her campaign says she introduced legislation on PFAS chemicals in drinking water and helped pass the Climate Change Superfund making the biggest polluters pay for climate infrastructure.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored A8634, setting drinking-water limits for certain PFAS chemicals; its Senate version passed the Senate on May 28, 2026 and the Assembly on June 3, 2026, replacing her bill. Sponsored A7396, making technical assistance grants available in brownfield cleanups; it passed the Assembly with her vote on May 30, 2024 and the Senate on June 4, 2024, and was vetoed on Dec. 13, 2024. Voted yes on S2129, creating a climate change adaptation cost recovery program and fund (June 8, 2024; signed as Chapter 679 on Dec. 26, 2024), S1736, requiring EV charging stations and EV-ready spaces in new construction with dedicated off-street parking (June 5, 2024; Chapter 643, Dec. 21, 2024), and S8812, on gas service to new customers (March 31, 2026; Chapter 101, April 10, 2026).

Sponsor of A8634 and A7396; voted yes on A7396, S2129, S1736 and S8812 · 2024-05-30 to 2026-06-03 · S2129 signed as Chapter 679 (Dec. 26, 2024); S1736 signed as Chapter 643 (Dec. 21, 2024); S8812 signed as Chapter 101 (April 10, 2026); A7396 vetoed by the governor on Dec. 13, 2024; A8634 replaced by its Senate version, which passed both houses by June 3, 2026

NY Assembly — A8634 (2025-26) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A7396 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S2129 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S1736 (2023-24) bill record and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S8812 (2025-26) bill record and floor votes ↗

Grace Lee for Senate — Policy ↗

1 of 7

Others running for State Senator - District 27

JMJason C. Murillo