General Election
NY Assembly · Assembly District 45
Novakhov and Cohen-Saban meet again after a 50.2% to 49.4% race
Republican Michael Novakhov unseated incumbent Steven Cymbrowitz in 2022 and held the seat in 2024 over Democrat Joey Cohen-Saban, 50.2% to 49.4%. Cohen-Saban, now chief of staff to State Senator Sam Sutton, is running again.
Issues
5 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced
Crime, policing and public cannabis use
Central to the raceCriminal penalties, police rules and where cannabis may be sold or used are set in state law, so changes run through the Legislature and the governor. Recent Assembly votes covered the 2026-27 public protection budget, signed in May 2026, and how close cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship, signed in February 2026.
Joey Cohen-Saban
Supports increased police foot patrols, better community policing initiatives and more resources to address quality-of-life crimes, describing this as smart policing that keeps streets safe while building trust with residents.
Joey Cohen-Saban campaign website — Issues ↗
Michael Novakhov
In coverageSays 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
Antisemitism and hate crimes
Central to the raceState law sets how hate crimes are punished and how much state money goes to security for houses of worship and community institutions, so the Legislature decides how far to go on penalties, reporting rules and security funding.
Joey Cohen-Saban
Supports stronger hate-crime enforcement, more security funding for houses of worship and community centers, and education programs against bigotry, and pledges proactive legislation in Albany to protect New Yorkers from rising antisemitism and hate crimes.
Joey Cohen-Saban campaign website — Issues ↗Michael Novakhov
In coverageSponsors 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
School funding and school choice
Central to the raceState aid to schools is set through the state budget, such as the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill signed in April 2024. At issue is how much of that money goes to public schools, to nonpublic schools such as yeshivas, and to options like charter schools.
Joey Cohen-Saban
Wants to increase per-pupil funding, secure capital improvement grants for aging school buildings and make sure nonpublic schools, including yeshivas, receive their share of state education dollars, arguing the district's schools and yeshivas are shortchanged by Albany.
Joey Cohen-Saban campaign website — Issues ↗Michael Novakhov
In coverageSupports 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
Israel and state policy
Also in playForeign policy is set in Washington; the Legislature's role is limited to state laws and state spending decisions that touch on Israel.
Joey Cohen-Saban
Supports strengthening the alliance between the United States and Israel and opposes efforts to undermine it, saying he will work to keep New York State standing with Israel.
Joey Cohen-Saban campaign website — Issues ↗Michael Novakhov
In coverageOpposes 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
Climate costs and gas service
Also in playRecent state laws established a climate change adaptation cost recovery program and fund (signed December 2024) and changed provisions on utilities' obligation to supply gas service to buildings not already supplied with gas (signed April 2026). The choice is how far the state goes with such policies and who bears their costs.
Joey Cohen-Saban
Supports investing in resilient infrastructure, upgrading stormwater and drainage systems and expanding clean-energy infrastructure, while protecting families and small businesses from unnecessary increases in energy costs.
VOTE411 (League of Women Voters) — Joey Cohen-Saban's answers ↗Michael Novakhov
In coverageHas 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