JR
Incumbent
Jenifer Rajkumar
Civil rights lawyer
NYS Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie +6
Primary Election
PRIMARY WAS JUN 23
NY Assembly · New York - 38
PrimaryDemocratic Party
Open seat in NY-38 draws challenger to incumbent Rajkumar
Incumbent Jenifer Rajkumar, first elected in 2020, faces a primary challenge from David Orkin, who has staked out positions on a wide range of progressive issues including taxing the rich, climate affordability, and tenant protections. The race is an open-seat contest only in the sense that no other incumbent is on the ballot, but Rajkumar is running for re-election. Orkin has articulated nine distinct policy positions, while Rajkumar's platform details remain unconfirmed in available research.
Candidates
DO
David Orkin
Staff Attorney, Make the Road New York (Workplace Justice Project)
Immigrant Rights and Protections — Orkin will champion the New York for All Act in full (including banning informal cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE), enforce the Dignity Not Detention Act, support the EmPIRE Worker Protection Act, the Access to Representation Act, and Coverage for All to provide health insurance regardless of immigration status.
NYC Democratic Socialists of America +7
▸ Your ballot — State Assembly Member - District 38
Fill in one oval. Change it anytime.
Researched & verified Jun 22, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.