Primary Election
NY Assembly · New York - 46
Open seat in NY-46 draws two progressive candidates
The race for New York Assembly District 46 is an open seat with no incumbent on the ballot. Two candidates, Joseph Santangelo and Chris McCreight, are competing in the Democratic primary on June 23, 2026. Both candidates share progressive stances on issues such as immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and criminal justice reform, but differ on priorities like corporate money in politics and utility bills.
Issues
6 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced
Tax the Rich & Corporations
The candidates differ on affordability: one supports taxing the wealthy and corporations to fund universal childcare and public services, while the other advocates for tax cuts for working families, universal free childcare, and small business support.
Joseph Santangelo
Supports a progressive tax system where the wealthiest New Yorkers and large corporations pay higher taxes to fund public services and reduce economic inequality.
Campaign Platform ↗Chris McCreight
Chris will fight to expand affordable healthcare, deliver universal free childcare, cut taxes for working- and middle-class families, provide rebates for seniors on fixed incomes, and support small business startups.
Chris McCreight campaign website ↗F*ck ICE, Protect Immigrant Neighbors
The candidates both oppose ICE overreach, with one supporting the NY For All Act and abolishing ICE, and the other vowing to protect immigrant communities and keep families together.
Joseph Santangelo
Supports the NY For All Act to prohibit New York agencies from cooperating with ICE, advocates for abolishing ICE, and promises to lead Know Your Rights trainings.
Campaign Platform ↗Chris McCreight
Chris stands firmly against ICE overreach and will fight to protect immigrant communities, keep families together, and ensure our city remains a safe haven for all.
Chris McCreight campaign website ↗Transform Criminal Legal System
The candidates diverge on public safety: one focuses on ending coercive prison labor and opposing bail reform rollbacks, while the other supports increasing penalties for reckless driving, more judicial discretion on bail, and cracking down on quality-of-life crimes.
Joseph Santangelo
Advocates for ending coercive prison labor and solitary confinement, opposing rollbacks to bail reform, discovery reform, and Raise the Age, and emphasizing rehabilitation and mental health/substance abuse treatment.
Campaign Platform ↗Chris McCreight
Chris supports increasing penalties for motorists with ghost plates, loud mufflers, and reckless driving. He does not support the state's bail reform laws and wants judges to have more discretion in assigning bail. He will prioritize cracking down on quality of life crimes like retail theft and illegal cannabis shops.
Chris McCreight campaign website ↗LGBTQ+ Rights & Gender-Affirming Care
The candidates both support reproductive rights and gender-affirming care, with one emphasizing universal healthcare and trans rights, and the other highlighting legislation to expand access and address maternal mortality.
Joseph Santangelo
Supports the New York Health Act for universal healthcare including gender-affirming care, protecting existing rights to sue providers that deny such care, and supporting the Gender Identity, Respect, Dignity, and Safety Act for incarcerated trans individuals. Also supports trans athletes' rights to compete in their affirmed category.
Campaign Platform ↗Chris McCreight
Chris supports legislation expanding access to reproductive services, empowering providers, and addressing maternal mortality. He is running against a MAGA Republican with an F rating from Planned Parenthood.
Chris McCreight campaign website ↗Defend Democracy
The candidate criticizes corporate influence and pledges to fight for working people against oligarchy.
Joseph Santangelo
Criticizes corporate influence in politics and the erosion of democratic norms, pledging to fight for working people and against oligarchy.
Campaign Platform ↗No public position yet from McCreight
Corporate Money Out of Politics
The candidate opposes corporate, developer, casino, PAC, and lobbyist donations, pledging to never accept them.
Joseph Santangelo
Opposes corporate, real estate developer, casino, PAC, and lobbyist donations; pledges to never accept such donations and to fight for working-class people over corporate interests.
Campaign Platform ↗No public position yet from McCreight