State Senator - District 17

Steve Chan

RepublicanIncumbent

Republican state senator who has represented District 17 since Jan. 1, 2025, after defeating incumbent Iwen Chu in November 2024 with 54.7% of the vote.

Overview Issues Support Money Events Record

Where homeless shelters go

In coverage

Wants state law to bar homeless shelters within 500 feet of any transit facility in New York City, saying the aim is the safety of transit commuters and nearby communities. Joined a March 28, 2026 rally against a proposed Bensonhurst shelter, raising concerns about transparency, construction safety and whether proper procedures were followed.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsors S5554, to bar homeless shelters within 500 feet of any transit facility in New York City; it was referred to the Senate Cities 1 Committee on Feb. 24, 2025.

Sponsor · 2025-02-24 · Sent to the Senate Cities 1 Committee

NY Senate — S5554 (2025) ↗Documented — Bensonhurst shelter protests, March 2026 ↗

NY Senate — S5554 (2025) and sponsor memo ↗

Crime and public safety

In coverage

Wants stronger penalties for offenses committed while using public transportation, including a new felony of reckless endangerment on public transit, saying tougher penalties answer serious safety risks. Also sponsors bills to require registration and licensing of any vehicle able to go over 25 mph and to bar battery storage systems holding more than 20 kilowatt hours within 500 feet of schools and homes in cities of one million or more people.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsors S9938, referred to the Senate Codes Committee on April 16, 2026, and S6373, in the Senate Transportation Committee as of Jan. 7, 2026. Sponsored S7710, which the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee defeated on May 6, 2026. Voted no on S1985, requiring police at family-violence calls to take temporary custody of firearms, on June 9, 2025; it became law as Chapter 466 on Oct. 16, 2025.

Sponsor of S9938, S6373 and S7710; voted no on S1985 · 2026-04-16 · S9938 in the Senate Codes Committee since April 16, 2026; S6373 in the Senate Transportation Committee as of Jan. 7, 2026; S7710 defeated in committee May 6, 2026; S1985 signed into law as Chapter 466 on Oct. 16, 2025

NY Senate — S9938 (2025) ↗NY Senate — S6373 (2025) ↗NY Senate — S7710 (2025) ↗NY Senate — S1985 (2025) floor votes ↗

NY Senate — S9938 (2025) and sponsor memo ↗

Transit and commuting

In coverage

Wants a reduced Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll for Kings County residents driving their own vehicles, set at 70 percent of the regular crossing fare.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsors S10353, referred to the Senate Transportation Committee on May 14, 2026.

Sponsor · 2026-05-14 · In the Senate Transportation Committee since May 14, 2026

NY Senate — S10353 (2025) ↗

Taxes and the state budget

In coverage

Opposes wasteful spending of tax dollars and pledges to vote to lower taxes on families who live and work in the community. Voted no on S9009, a bill enacting major components of the 2026-27 state fiscal plan.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on May 27, 2026, on S9009, the bill enacting major parts of the state's 2026-27 fiscal plan.

Senate member; voted no · 2026-05-27 · Voted no on the Senate floor on May 27, 2026, on the bill enacting major parts of the 2026-27 state fiscal plan

NY Senate — S9009 (2025) floor vote ↗

Steve Chan campaign website ↗

Schools

In coverage

Wants schoolchildren to get a quality education without bias and bureaucracy. Sponsors bills to delay class-size reduction plans and add exemptions to class-size targets, and to create substance-use and fentanyl prevention materials for schools. Voted against changing the limits on retail adult-use dispensaries near schools and houses of worship.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsors S6236, in the Senate New York City Education Committee as of Jan. 7, 2026, and S7140, referred to the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 7, 2026. Voted no on S9155 on Feb. 11, 2026; it became law as Chapter 2 the same day.

Sponsor of S6236 and S7140; voted no on S9155 · 2026-02-11 · S6236 and S7140 in Senate committees as of Jan. 7, 2026; S9155 signed into law as Chapter 2 on Feb. 11, 2026

NY Senate — S6236 (2025) ↗NY Senate — S7140 (2025) ↗NY Senate — S9155 (2025) floor vote ↗

Steve Chan campaign website ↗

Housing and building rules

In coverage

Sponsored a bill requiring landlords of non-owner-occupied one- to six-family homes in New York City to provide fire extinguishers in every rented apartment. Voted against a 2025 law on landlords' use of algorithmic pricing to set rents and against a 2026 law on gas service to new customers.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored S9441, which passed the Senate on June 4, 2026, with his yes vote and was referred to the Assembly Housing Committee. Voted no on S7882 on June 9, 2025 (signed into law as Chapter 437 on Oct. 16, 2025) and on S8812 on Feb. 5, 2026 (signed into law as Chapter 101 on April 10, 2026).

Sponsor of S9441 (voted yes); voted no on S7882 and S8812 · 2026-06-04 · S9441 passed the Senate June 4, 2026, and is in the Assembly Housing Committee; S7882 and S8812 are law (Chapters 437 and 101)

NY Senate — S9441 (2025) ↗NY Senate — S7882 (2025) floor vote ↗NY Senate — S8812 (2025) floor vote ↗

NY Senate — S9441 (2025) ↗

Health care laws

In coverage

Voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act and against the 2025 law protecting people who provide or receive reproductive and gender-affirming care from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by other jurisdictions. Both became law.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Voted no on A136, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, on June 9, 2025; it passed the Senate that day and became law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026. Voted no on S4914 on May 22, 2025; it became law as Chapter 694 of 2025 on Dec. 19, 2025.

Voted no on both bills · 2025-06-09 · A136 signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026; S4914 signed into law as Chapter 694 of 2025 on Dec. 19, 2025

NY Senate — A136 (2025) floor vote ↗NY Senate — S4914 (2025) floor vote ↗

NY Senate — A136 (2025) ↗

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No public position yet on Small businesses

Others running for State Senator - District 17

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