Primary Election
Open seat in NY-56 draws three Democratic primary challengers
The 2026 Democratic primary for New York Assembly District 56 is an open-seat race with no incumbent on the ballot. Three candidates—Michael Bailey, Stefani L. Zinerman, and Eon Huntley—are competing, each emphasizing distinct priorities such as housing, environmental justice, and racial equity. The absence of an incumbent and limited public fundraising data make the race highly competitive and uncertain.
Stefani L. Zinerman
IncumbentMember of the New York State Assembly since 2020
Michael Bailey
Attorney
Eon Huntley
Department store associate at Bergdorf Goodman (The Row)
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Housing
Bailey calls for deeper affordability reflecting actual incomes, noting that over 27% of Bed-Stuy households earn less than 30% of AMI, while Zinerman advocates for stabilizing costs, strengthening tenant protections, and opposing luxury developments that don't serve community needs.
Stefani L. Zinerman
Zinerman advocates for stabilizing housing costs and preventing displacement. She supports strengthening rent stabilization and tenant protection laws, cracking down on landlord harassment and illegal evictions, expanding free legal representation for tenants, and fighting for Good Cause Eviction protections statewide. She also defends homeowners from deed theft and foreclosure by strengthening protections, expanding legal assistance, and holding banks accountable. She promotes expanding homeownership through down payment assistance, community land trusts, and stricter regulations on investor speculation. She opposes luxury developments that don't serve community needs and supports community benefit agreements and commercial rent stabilization.
Michael Bailey
Michael Bailey supports new affordable housing in Bed-Stuy but calls for deeper affordability that reflects the actual income levels of current residents. He notes that over 27% of Bed-Stuy households earn less than 30% of Area Median Income, while only 19% of rental units are affordable at that level, and that nearly 30% of residents spend over half their income on rent. He advocates for stronger tenant protections and opportunities for working families to stay and build wealth in the neighborhood.
Eon Huntley
Defend rent control, pass the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, protect NYCHA from privatization, expand Good Cause Eviction, support a Social Housing Development Authority to build deeply affordable units, and fight deed theft.
Environmental Justice
Zinerman supports environmental justice for frontline neighborhoods, while the broader platform calls for a Green New Deal, opposing new fossil-fuel infrastructure, and funding climate resilience.
Stefani L. Zinerman
Zinerman supports environmental justice for frontline neighborhoods as part of her Equity & Inclusion agenda.
Eon Huntley
Fight for a Green New Deal for New York, oppose new fossil-fuel infrastructure, fund climate resilience, support the Build Public Renewables Act, and push for green schoolyards and renewable energy upgrades in schools.
Youth, Education & Leadership
Zinerman supports investing in youth through community programs and workforce training, while the platform advocates for fully funding public schools, free childcare, and free CUNY/SUNY, opposing charter school privatization.
Stefani L. Zinerman
Zinerman supports investing in young people through community-based youth development programs, civic and leadership training, workforce training, and career preparation.
Eon Huntley
Fully fund public schools, guarantee free childcare, and fight for free universal CUNY and SUNY. Supports the Universal Child Care Act, the Green Schools for a Healthier New York platform, and opposes charter school privatization.
Researched & verified Jun 22, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.