State Assembly Member - District 45

Michael Novakhov

RepublicanIncumbent

Republican Assembly member for District 45 since Jan. 1, 2023, after defeating incumbent Steven Cymbrowitz in 2022; re-elected in 2024 over Joey Cohen-Saban, 50.2% to 49.4%.

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Crime, policing and public cannabis use

In coverage

Says he co-sponsored a bill restoring judges' discretion on bail and authored one making unlicensed cannabis sales a felony. Sponsors bills barring people sentenced for sexual-conduct or assault crimes from transit and banning public cannabis use without local approval; voted against the 2026-27 public protection budget and a bill keeping police radio open to journalists.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on S9005, the 2026-27 public protection and general government budget bill, on May 21, 2026; it passed the Assembly 93-47 and was signed into law as Chapter 55 on May 27, 2026. Voted no on A3516, the Keep Police Radio Public Act, on June 5, 2025; it passed both houses that day and was vetoed by the governor on Dec. 19, 2025. Voted no on S9155, which changes the limits on how close retail cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship, on Feb. 11, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 2 that day. Sponsor of A11063, barring people sentenced for a crime involving unlawful sexual conduct or assault from public transportation; referred to the Assembly Codes Committee on April 24, 2026. Sponsor of A5178, prohibiting public cannabis use unless the local government approves; referred to the Assembly Economic Development Committee on Jan. 7, 2026. Also sponsor of the criminal street gang abatement act of 2025.

Voted no on S9005, A3516 and S9155; sponsor of A11063, A5178 and the criminal street gang abatement act · 2025-06-05 to 2026-05-21 · S9005 signed into law as Chapter 55 on May 27, 2026; A3516 vetoed Dec. 19, 2025; S9155 signed into law as Chapter 2 on Feb. 11, 2026; A11063 referred to the Assembly Codes Committee April 24, 2026; A5178 referred to the Assembly Economic Development Committee Jan. 7, 2026

NY Assembly — S9005 (2025) actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A3516 (2025) actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S9155 (2025) actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A11063 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — A5178 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — Michael Novakhov sponsored bills ↗

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

Antisemitism and hate crimes

In coverage

Sponsors bills to deny youthful offender status to people who commit hate crimes and to require colleges to give students written information on reporting bias-related and hate crimes. Says he sponsored an Assembly resolution commemorating the Holocaust and supported legislation to deter hate crimes on college campuses.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsor of A10124, which would bar youthful offender status for people who commit a hate crime; held for consideration in the Assembly Codes Committee on May 5, 2026. Also sponsor of a bill requiring colleges and universities to give students written information on reporting bias-related and hate crimes.

Sponsor · 2026-05-05 · A10124 held for consideration in the Assembly Codes Committee on May 5, 2026

NY Assembly — A10124 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — Michael Novakhov sponsored bills ↗

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

School funding and school choice

In coverage

Supports expanding school choice, including charter schools, private schools and homeschooling, to give families more flexibility. Voted against the 2024-25 state budget bill for education, labor, housing and family assistance.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on S8306, the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill, in the Assembly on April 20, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 56 that day.

Voted no · 2024-04-20 · Signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024

NY Assembly — S8306 (2023) actions and floor votes ↗

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

Israel and state policy

In coverage

Opposes the "Not on Our Dime" bill, which he describes as penalizing charities that do business with Israel. Sponsors the "Not on our dollar!: Ending New York funding of Hamas violence act."

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Prime sponsor of A5214, the "Not on our dollar!: Ending New York funding of Hamas violence act"; referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Jan. 7, 2026.

Prime sponsor · 2026-01-07 · Referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Jan. 7, 2026

NY Assembly — A5214 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — Michael Novakhov sponsored bills ↗

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

Climate costs and gas service

In coverage

Has voted against two climate and energy bills that became law: one establishing a climate change adaptation cost recovery program and fund, and one on the requirement that utilities supply gas service on application to buildings not already supplied with gas.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on S2129, which establishes the climate change adaptation cost recovery program and fund, on June 8, 2024; it passed the Assembly 92-49 and was signed into law as Chapter 679 on Dec. 26, 2024. Voted no on S8812, on the requirement that a utility or municipality provide gas service on application to a building not supplied with gas, on March 31, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 101 on April 10, 2026.

Voted no · 2024-06-08 and 2026-03-31 · S2129 signed into law as Chapter 679 on Dec. 26, 2024; S8812 signed into law as Chapter 101 on April 10, 2026

NY Assembly — S2129 (2023) actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — S8812 (2025) actions and floor votes ↗

NY Assembly — S2129 (2023) actions and floor votes ↗

Rent rules and housing supply

In coverage

Wants the nearly 32,000 New York City apartments used as illegal hotels returned to the market at affordable rents and supports banning apartment warehousing, which he says he co-sponsored legislation to combat. Sponsors a bill easing limits on owners reclaiming rent-regulated apartments for their own or family use.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Prime sponsor of A7489, which would remove certain restrictions on a landlord's ability to recover rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartments for personal or immediate family occupancy; referred to the Assembly Housing Committee as of Jan. 7, 2026.

Prime sponsor · 2026-01-07 · Referred to the Assembly Housing Committee as of Jan. 7, 2026

NY Assembly — A7489 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — Michael Novakhov sponsored bills ↗

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

Small business and consumer rules

In coverage

Supports direct financial support and tax incentives for restaurants hurt by COVID-19 and rent assistance for small businesses. Voted against a law barring employers from using consumer credit history in hiring, and sponsors bills limiting local grocery-price rules and requiring chip card readers and skimming warnings for SNAP.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on S3072, which prohibits using consumer credit history in hiring, employment and licensing decisions, on May 28, 2025; it was signed into law as Chapter 681 on Dec. 19, 2025. Prime sponsor of A8197, requiring signs warning about EBT and SNAP skimming and chip-enabled point-of-sale systems for SNAP transactions; held for consideration in the Assembly Social Services Committee on May 27, 2026. Also prime sponsor of a bill limiting the authority of municipal bodies to adopt non-emergency regulations on grocery prices.

Voted no on S3072; prime sponsor of A8197 and of the grocery-price bill · 2025-05-28 to 2026-05-27 · S3072 signed into law as Chapter 681 on Dec. 19, 2025; A8197 held for consideration in the Assembly Social Services Committee on May 27, 2026

NY Assembly — S3072 (2025) actions and floor votes ↗NY Assembly — A8197 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — Michael Novakhov sponsored bills ↗

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

Health care and end-of-life choices

In coverage

Supports expanding Medicaid coverage of long-term stays in residential health institutions. Voted against the medical aid in dying bill, covering a terminally ill patient's request for and use of medication for medical aid in dying; it became law in February 2026.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on A136, the medical aid in dying bill, on April 29, 2025; it passed the Assembly that day, passed the Senate on June 9, 2025, and was signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026.

Voted no · 2025-04-29 · Signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026

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

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

Transit service and congestion pricing

In coverage

Wants to restructure the MTA board so New York City has greater say over its transit system. Sponsors bills on congestion pricing and on registering and licensing every vehicle capable of going faster than 25 mph.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Prime sponsor of A5201, which relates to congestion pricing in New York City and would create an MTA committee to assess infrastructure repairs and station ADA compliance; referred to the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee on Jan. 7, 2026. Prime sponsor of A5179, the S.A.F.E. Vehicles Speed Act, requiring every vehicle capable of traveling over 25 miles per hour to be registered and licensed with the Department of Motor Vehicles; referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee as of Jan. 7, 2026.

Prime sponsor · 2026-01-07 · A5201 referred to the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee on Jan. 7, 2026; A5179 referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee as of Jan. 7, 2026

NY Assembly — A5201 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — A5179 (2025) actions ↗NY Assembly — Michael Novakhov sponsored bills ↗

Michael Novakhov campaign website — Platform ↗

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No public position yet on Migrant shelter placement

Others running for State Assembly Member - District 45

JCJoey Cohen-Saban