Primary Election
Open seat in NY-26 draws two candidates with contrasting platforms
The race for New York Assembly District 26 is an open seat with no incumbent on the ballot. Two candidates, Robert J. Speranza and Philip Sean Grillo, have filed to run, offering voters distinct positions on education, crime, cost of living, and other local issues. No fundraising or polling data is available yet.
Lifelong resident of Northeast Queens
Crime and Safety — Rob Speranza will vote to repeal bail reform laws, change the parole system so murderers do not go free, invest in police, take illegal guns off the streets, return the bail process, and allow judges greater discretion to make streets safe.
No major endorsements yet
Former Queens Republican district leader
Education — Grillo supports restoring rigorous academics, expanding vocational and trade pathways as early as high school, protecting parental rights, and keeping classrooms focused on opportunity and love of country rather than what he calls un-American ideology.
No major endorsements yet
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Education
Both candidates emphasize restoring rigorous academics, expanding vocational pathways, and protecting parental rights, with Speranza specifically advocating for the Specialized High School Test and Gifted and Talented assessment and Grillo focusing on keeping classrooms focused on opportunity and love of country.
Rob Speranza will fight for more teachers and less administration, restore funding for vocational schools, advocate for the Specialized High School Test and Gifted and Talented assessment, and fight for parents' rights to prevent controversial issues from being taught without consent.
Campaign website – Issues & SolutionsCrime and Safety
Both candidates call for repealing bail reform laws and increasing judicial discretion, with Speranza also targeting parole changes for murderers and Grillo emphasizing ending revolving-door justice to reduce violent crime.
Rob Speranza will vote to repeal bail reform laws, change the parole system so murderers do not go free, invest in police, take illegal guns off the streets, return the bail process, and allow judges greater discretion to make streets safe.
Campaign website – Issues & SolutionsResearched & verified Jun 22, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.