State Assembly Member - District 49
Lester Chang
Republican Assembly member for District 49 since Jan. 1, 2023, after unseating Democrat Peter Abbate Jr. in 2022; re-elected unopposed in 2024.
Where they stand
Crime, bail and street safety
Wants to fix the state's bail and parole laws. Sponsors bills setting prison sentences for crimes committed on public transit and requiring inspections of buildings that store or repair e-bikes, and voted against the Keep Police Radio Public Act and a bill changing how close cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship.
Schools, class sizes and school choice
Supports lifting the state's cap on charter schools and opposes mandated curriculum for private schools. Sponsors a bill to delay the state's class size reduction plans to September 2031 and add exemptions to class size targets.
Homeless shelters and affordable housing
Opposed placing an 80-room homeless shelter in Boro Park without community input in March 2025. In March 2026 rallied against the proposed integration of homeless transient tenants with residents of Borough Park apartments, and in May 2026 called for an investigation into reports of a fraudulent asbestos inspection at a proposed 86th Street shelter in Bensonhurst.
Background
Based in Brooklyn
The son of Chinese immigrants, he grew up on the Lower East Side, served 24 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve, including a tour in Afghanistan, and worked in banking and finance and in global logistics and shipping.
- Member of the New York State Assembly for District 49 since Jan. 1, 2023
- Won the seat on Nov. 8, 2022 over incumbent Peter Abbate Jr., 52.0% to 47.9%; re-elected on Nov. 5, 2024 with 97.3% of the vote in an uncontested race
- Previously ran for office in Manhattan
- Lost an April 19, 2016 special election for Assembly District 65 and the Nov. 3, 2020 general election for State Senate District 26, won by incumbent Brian Kavanagh
- Member of the Assembly committees on Aging, Banks, Cities, Education and Housing, the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force
- U.S. Navy Reserve for 24 years, reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3); also served in the New York Naval Militia, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan
- Volunteered to return to active duty in March 2020 to help convert the Javits Convention Center into a field hospital for COVID-19 patients
- Career in banking and finance and in global logistics and the shipping industry
- Poll site coordinator with the Board of Elections for more than 30 years
- Volunteer on the executive committee of Chinatown American Legion Post 1291
- B.S. in accounting from Brooklyn College (CUNY); master's degree in international transportation from SUNY Maritime College; graduate of Midwood High School
- Born in New York City to Chinese immigrant parents and grew up on Eldridge Street on the Lower East Side; lives in Brooklyn
- Advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 49 without appearing on the ballot; the June 23, 2026 Republican primary was canceled
Support
Conservative Party of New York State
Also on your ballot on the Conservative Party line
Money
$75K
raised
Top donors: JGH Franklin LLC, J & GH Realty LLC, NY Laundromat Business Association
Others running for State Assembly Member - District 49
