General Election
NY Assembly · Assembly District 64
Three-term Republican incumbent faces a Democratic small business owner
Republican Michael Tannousis has held the seat since Jan. 2021; he won it in 2020 with 58.5% against Democrat Brandon Patterson and was re-elected in 2022 and 2024. Democrat Tim Qorraj, a Staten Island small business owner, is challenging him; both advanced after their parties' June primaries were canceled.
Issues
7 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced
Crime, policing and bail
Central to the raceState law sets bail rules and where cannabis stores may open, and the state can change retirement benefits for police and other first responders. A law changing how close cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship was signed in February 2026.
Tim Qorraj
Supports hiring more police officers for the 122nd Precinct and expanding its Community Affairs department to address quality-of-life issues. Wants the state to enhance retirement benefits for first responders as an incentive to recruit officers.
Tim Qorraj campaign website ↗
Michael Tannousis
In coverageSupports changing the state's bail law and sponsors a bill to restore judges' discretion in bail decisions. Sponsors a bill to keep cannabis stores farther from schools and houses of worship and restrict their distance from child day care; voted against a 2026 law changing dispensary proximity limits for schools and houses of worship and against the Keep Police Radio Public Act.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsors A6358, which would restore judicial discretion relating to bail reform; in the Assembly Codes Committee, where it was referred on Jan. 7, 2026. Sponsors A11107, which would increase the required distance between cannabis storefronts or on-site consumption sites and school grounds and houses of worship and restrict their distance from child day care; referred to the Assembly Economic Development Committee on April 24, 2026. Voted no on S9155, which amends 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. Voted no on A3516, the Keep Police Radio Public Act, on June 5, 2025; the governor vetoed it on Dec. 19, 2025. Voted no on S206, which removes the lifetime ban on jury service for people convicted of a felony who have completed their sentences, on June 7, 2024; it passed the Assembly 92-52 and the Senate, and the governor vetoed it on Dec. 21, 2024.
Sponsor of A6358 and A11107; voted no on S9155, A3516 and S206 · 2024-06-07 to 2026-04-24 · A6358 in Assembly Codes Committee (referred Jan. 7, 2026); A11107 referred to Assembly Economic Development Committee April 24, 2026; S9155 signed into law as Chapter 2 on Feb. 11, 2026; A3516 vetoed Dec. 19, 2025; S206 vetoed Dec. 21, 2024
Tolls, congestion pricing and transit service
Central to the raceCongestion pricing, the MTA's governance and audits, and funding for the Staten Island resident discount on the Verrazzano Bridge toll all rest on state law and the state budget, which the Legislature votes on.
Tim Qorraj
Supports continued funding for the Staten Island resident discount that keeps the Verrazzano Bridge toll at $2.75, and working to eliminate the toll. Wants a fast ferry dock in Great Kills connecting Staten Island to Brooklyn and Manhattan, and more express bus service from Bay Ridge to Manhattan.
Tim Qorraj campaign website ↗Michael Tannousis
In coverageSponsors a bill to repeal congestion pricing and require an independent forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsors A6680, which would repeal congestion pricing and mandate an independent forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority; in the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee, where it was referred on Jan. 7, 2026.
Sponsor · 2026-01-07 · In the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee (referred Jan. 7, 2026)
Housing costs and tenant law
Also in playState law defines who counts as a tenant and so who is covered by tenant protections, and state programs and funding affect what housing costs in the district.
Tim Qorraj
Names making housing more affordable and attainable as one of his top three priorities. Supports strong enforcement of civil rights and anti-discrimination laws and equal access to quality housing and education.
VOTE411 voter guide — Tim Qorraj's answers ↗Michael Tannousis
In coverageSponsored a 2024 bill to exclude squatters from the legal definition of a tenant, lengthen the possession period before tenancy rights attach from 30 to 60 days, and make squatting third-degree criminal trespass.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored A9897 in the 2023-2024 session, which would exclude squatters from tenant protections, extend the period for tenancy rights from 30 to 60 days of possession, add squatting to the definition of third-degree criminal trespass and clarify lease provisions; referred to the Assembly Housing Committee on April 26, 2024, its latest recorded action.
Sponsor · 2024-04-26 · Referred to the Assembly Housing Committee on April 26, 2024; no later action recorded
Flooding, climate and energy
Also in playState law now includes a climate change adaptation fund and cost recovery program, signed in December 2024, and a law on gas service to new customers, signed in April 2026. The Legislature also decides where battery energy storage facilities may be built and how much the state invests in coastal resiliency, flood protection and sewer and drainage systems.
Tim Qorraj
Supports investing in coastal resiliency, completing long-promised flood protection projects and strengthening sewer and drainage systems on Staten Island. Supports expanding clean energy and energy efficiency, but says the cost should not fall disproportionately on working families and small businesses.
VOTE411 voter guide — Tim Qorraj's answers ↗Michael Tannousis
In coverageSponsors a bill to bar battery energy storage systems of any size from being sited or built in Assembly District 64. Voted against the 2024 law creating a state climate change adaptation fund and against a 2026 law on providing gas service to new customers.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsors A6996, which would prohibit the siting and construction of battery energy storage systems and related facilities of any scale in Assembly District 64; held for consideration in the Assembly Local Governments Committee on May 18, 2026. Voted no on S2129, which establishes the climate change adaptation cost recovery program and the climate change adaptation fund, on June 8, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 679 on Dec. 26, 2024. Voted no on S8812, relating to the effectiveness of provisions of law on providing gas service to new customers, on March 31, 2026; it passed the Senate on Feb. 5, 2026 and was signed into law as Chapter 101 on April 10, 2026.
Sponsor of A6996; voted no on S2129 and S8812 · 2024-06-08 to 2026-05-18 · A6996 held for consideration in Assembly Local Governments Committee May 18, 2026; S2129 signed into law as Chapter 679 on Dec. 26, 2024; S8812 signed into law as Chapter 101 on April 10, 2026
Health care
Also in playThe Legislature passes the state health budget each year and decides laws such as medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients, which was signed into law in February 2026.
Tim Qorraj
Supports funding to establish an NYC Health + Hospitals ExpressCare urgent care center on the East Shore of Staten Island to give residents an affordable place to get care.
Tim Qorraj campaign website ↗Michael Tannousis
In coverageVoted against the 2024-25 state health and mental hygiene budget bill and against the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which covers terminally ill patients' requests for and use of medication for medical aid in dying; both became law.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on S8307, the 2024-25 state health and mental hygiene budget bill, on April 19, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 57 on April 20, 2024. Voted no on A136, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, on April 29, 2025; it was signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026.
Voted no on S8307 and A136 · 2024-04-19 to 2025-04-29 · S8307 signed into law as Chapter 57 on April 20, 2024; A136 signed into law as Chapter 714 on Feb. 6, 2026
Schools and teachers
Also in playThe Legislature passes the state education budget each spring; the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill became law in April 2024.
Tim Qorraj
Supports pay raises for teachers in 2027, when their contracts come up for renewal.
Tim Qorraj campaign website ↗Michael Tannousis
In coverageVoted against the 2024-25 state budget bill covering education, labor, housing and family assistance, which became law.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on S8306, the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill, on April 20, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 56 the same day.
Voted no · 2024-04-20 · Signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024
Government oversight, red tape and local control
Also in playHow state and city government spends money, regulates residents and businesses, and governs Staten Island comes up in both campaigns.
Tim Qorraj
Names cutting unnecessary government red tape as one of his top three priorities, alongside housing and transportation and aging infrastructure.
VOTE411 voter guide — Tim Qorraj's answers ↗Michael Tannousis
In coverageSponsors bills to have the state comptroller audit contracts and funds for humanitarian aid and shelter for migrants in New York City since April 2022, and to incorporate Staten Island as a city with its own charter.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsors A6963, directing the state comptroller to examine and audit contracts and funds appropriated for humanitarian aid, including short-term shelter services, for migrants entering short-term shelters in New York City on or after April 1, 2022; held for consideration in the Assembly Governmental Operations Committee on May 5, 2026. Sponsors A9346, which would incorporate the city of Staten Island and enact a city charter; in the Assembly Cities Committee, where it was referred on Jan. 7, 2026.
Sponsor of A6963 and A9346 · 2026-01-07 to 2026-05-05 · A6963 held for consideration in Assembly Governmental Operations Committee May 5, 2026; A9346 in Assembly Cities Committee (referred Jan. 7, 2026)