State Senator - District 36
Jamaal T. Bailey
Has represented District 36, which covers north Bronx neighborhoods and the Westchester city of Mount Vernon, since 2017, after winning election on Nov. 8, 2016; chairs the Senate Insurance Committee.
Where they stand
Bail, policing and criminal justice
Sponsored 2025 laws requiring police training on sexual assault and on autism and other developmental disabilities, and directing state police policies for child-sensitive arrest practices. His Senate biography says he spearheaded the bail, discovery and speedy-trial changes in the 2019 budget and the repeal of section 50-a, which had been a bar to police disciplinary records.
Economy, consumer protection and state spending
Sponsored 2025 laws creating an online system to verify motor vehicle insurance and prohibiting unfair residential real estate service agreements. Voted for a 2026 law on the attorney general's power over unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices, and for a 2026-27 state budget bill.
Health care
Voted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which passed the Senate 35-27 in June 2025 and became law in February 2026.
Issues Jamaal is raising
Veterans' benefits
Sponsored a 2025 law letting unused veterans tuition awards be transferred to a spouse, survivor or child, and a 2024 law adding an annual adjustment to state reimbursements for certain veterans' funerals.
Background
Based in Baychester
Before the Senate he was Community Relations Director for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and a district leader for six years.
- Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Insurance
- Community Relations Director for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, after serving as his intern
- District Leader of the 83rd Assembly District for six years before his election to the Senate
- Graduate of the Bronx High School of Science; bachelor's degree from SUNY Albany; law degree from CUNY School of Law
- Re-elected in 2024 with 77,594 votes (91.5%) and in 2022 with 49,613 votes (99.7%)
- Lives in Baychester with his wife, Giamara, and their three children
Support
No endorsements beyond the Democratic nomination were found as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Money
$363K
raised
Top donors: Cigna PAC, American Property Casualty Insurance, Anthem Health PAC
Others running for State Senator - District 36