Primary Election
Six candidates vie for open seat in NY Assembly District 65
The race for New York Assembly District 65 features six candidates—Jasmin Sanchez, Illapa Sairitupac, Mariama N. James, Wei-Li Tjong, Lilah Mejia, and Jay Jacky Wong—competing in the June 23, 2026 primary. With no incumbent on the ballot, the contest is wide open, and candidates have staked out positions on a broad array of issues including public education, healthcare, housing rights, public safety, and environmental justice. The crowded field suggests a competitive primary where turnout and issue mobilization will be key.
Former district leader
Public Education — Sanchez opposes charter expansion that diverts resources from neighborhood public schools and supports fully funding public schools to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education regardless of zip code.
DC37 +7
mental health social worker
Housing Rights — Illapa supports affordable housing through tenant organizing, building tenant associations, pressuring negligent landlords, passing tenants' rights legislation, and creating community land trusts. He believes private developers and big landlords have controlled housing and that New Yorkers should take back control of their homes.
Zohran Mamdani +7
Female Democratic District Leader for Assembly District 65 Part C
Housing Rights — Mariama James supports building 100% affordable housing on the jail site, opposes NYCHA privatization and demolition, and aims to protect Elizabeth St. Garden. She emphasizes that housing in Lower Manhattan is disappearing and that longtime residents are being pushed out.
Downtown Independent Democrats +7
Lifelong resident of Assembly District 65 (Lower East Side/Chinatown)
Focus: Housing Rights
UDO (United Democratic Organization)
Community organizer with over 20 years of experience
Housing Rights — Lilah Mejia supports protecting NYCHA and fully funding public housing, preserving rent-stabilized and Mitchell-Lama housing, fighting displacement, expanding truly affordable housing (not luxury development), holding landlords accountable for unsafe conditions, and supporting tenants in organizing and knowing their rights.
The Parent Party
Journalist covering city policy, housing, and neighborhood change in Lower Manhattan for over a decade
Affordable Housing — Jacky Wong supports building more affordable housing through mid-density development, increasing affordability requirements beyond 25% under the 485X tax credit program, advancing 100% affordable housing on public land, and converting underutilized hotels and offices into permanent affordable housing. He also advocates for protecting NYCHA tenants with a 'NYCHA Tenants First' approach to RAD/PACT conversions, standing with Mitchell-Lama tenants against unreasonable rent increases, expanding SCRIE and DRIE access, and protecting co-ops from rising costs through property tax stability and support for Local Law 97 compliance.
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Public Education
Candidates differ on how to improve public education, with Sanchez opposing charter expansion and supporting full funding, while Illapa, Mariama James, and Lilah Mejia focus on accessibility, addressing overcrowding, and expanding resources and programs.
Sanchez opposes charter expansion that diverts resources from neighborhood public schools and supports fully funding public schools to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education regardless of zip code.
Jasmin Sanchez campaign issues pageHealthcare
Candidates broadly support expanding healthcare access, with Sanchez emphasizing community-based and integrated care, Illapa advocating for universal coverage, Mariama James focusing on Medicaid and Medicare funding, and Jacky Wong prioritizing affordability and mental health services.
Sanchez supports expanding community-based healthcare including federally qualified health centers, school-based clinics, and mobile health units; integrating mental health care with increased Medicaid reimbursement rates and non-police crisis response; lowering prescription drug costs through negotiation, public manufacturing, and out-of-pocket caps; and ensuring healthcare access for immigrants, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups regardless of immigration status.
Jasmin Sanchez campaign issues pageHousing Rights
Candidates agree housing is a right, with Sanchez and Lilah Mejia supporting deeply affordable housing and tenant protections, Illapa emphasizing tenant organizing, and Mariama James opposing NYCHA privatization and advocating for 100% affordable housing on the jail site.
Illapa supports affordable housing through tenant organizing, building tenant associations, pressuring negligent landlords, passing tenants' rights legislation, and creating community land trusts. He believes private developers and big landlords have controlled housing and that New Yorkers should take back control of their homes.
Illapa Sairitupac campaign platformResearched & verified Jun 22, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.