State Assembly Member - District 26
Robert J. Speranza
Retired New York City police officer and lifelong Bayside resident who began his career as a city probation officer.
Where they stand
Bail, policing and criminal law
Pledges to vote to repeal the state's bail reform laws and to change the parole system. Wants judges to have greater discretion in bail decisions and supports investing in police.
Taxes and state spending
Pledges to monitor the state budget and fight to eliminate wasteful spending and fraud, and to return money to New York residents.
Issues Robert is raising
Schools and specialized programs
Wants more teachers and less administration in schools, and restored funding for vocational schools. Supports the Specialized High School Test and Gifted and Talented assessments, and wants parents able to keep topics he calls controversial from being taught to their children without their consent.
Background
Based in Bayside
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican primary 809 votes to 491 over Philip Sean Grillo; he also ran for this seat in 2008.
- B.S. in criminal justice, St. John's University; attended Holy Cross High School
- New York City probation officer, then New York City Police Department officer (retired)
- Joined the NYPD Auxiliary Police and the Bayside Ambulance Corps
- Served on Community Board 11 and as an executive board member of a local hospital
- Served as recording secretary and treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police, and as an executive board member and recording secretary of the Knights of Columbus
- Lost to Edward C. Braunstein in 2024 with 12,738 votes (31.9%) on the Conservative and Common Sense lines, and in 2022 with 15,551 votes (45.5%) on the Republican and Conservative lines
- Ran for this seat in 2008, receiving 12,258 votes (32.8%) on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines
Support
No endorsements beyond the Republican nomination were found as of Sept. 30, 2026.
Others running for State Assembly Member - District 26
