General Election
NY Assembly · Assembly District 74
Housing, public safety and taxes in an East Side Manhattan Assembly race
Keith Powers, a Democrat and former City Council member, won this seat in a Feb. 3, 2026 special election after Harvey Epstein left for the City Council. He faces Republican Veronica I. Gonzalez, who also has the Conservative line.
Issues
5 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced
Rents, housing supply and public housing
Central to the raceState law sets the rules for rent stabilization and for what kinds of housing can be built, so the rules that shape rents and the supply of new homes in the district are decided in Albany.
Veronica I. Gonzalez
Wants to protect public housing residents from privatization, opposing the RAD/PACT conversions of public housing, and supports affordable housing and new Mitchell-Lama developments.
Veronica Gonzalez campaign website ↗
Keith Powers
In coverageCalls for building more housing to bring down rents and says making housing affordable is his most important priority, with a platform of building affordable housing across the borough.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsors A11136, which would create shared-housing rooming units in new apartment buildings (class A multiple dwellings) and in buildings converted to them; it was referred to the Assembly Housing Committee as of Apr. 24, 2026. Also sponsored a bill to expand rent stabilization statewide; its number and status were not found.
Sponsor of A11136 and of a bill to expand rent stabilization statewide · A11136's latest action Apr. 24, 2026; the date of the statewide rent stabilization bill was not found · A11136 in the Assembly Housing Committee as of Apr. 24, 2026; the number and status of the statewide rent stabilization bill were not found
Crime, bail and street safety
Central to the raceState law sets the rules for bail and for gun licenses and permits, so how courts handle repeat offenders and what is required when a gun license is issued are decided in Albany by the Legislature and the governor.
Veronica I. Gonzalez
Says increased public safety would be her first priority if elected, including a larger police presence, more surveillance and tougher consequences for repeat offenders. Wants to tackle cashless bail, arguing that repeat offenders face too few consequences under the current system.
Our Town — Veronica Gonzalez Runs for 74th Assembly District Seat on Republican Line ↗Keith Powers
In coveragePlaces public safety and infrastructure improvements high among his priorities, campaigns for safer, cleaner streets, and proposes neighborhood report cards on quality of life.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsors A10485, which would require a graphic warning about the health and safety risks of firearms whenever a gun license or permit is issued or amended; it was amended and sent back to the Assembly Codes Committee as of May 22, 2026. On the City Council, resigned from the Progressive Caucus in his final year because he objected to its plank calling for cuts to police and corrections officers.
Sponsor of A10485; as a City Council member, resigned from the Council's Progressive Caucus · A10485's latest action May 22, 2026; caucus resignation in his final City Council year · A10485 amended and recommitted to the Assembly Codes Committee as of May 22, 2026
Taxes, the state budget and business rules
Also in playThe Legislature passes the state budget and writes state tax rules and the regulations businesses and employers must follow, so the tax burden on homeowners, renters and small businesses is set in Albany.
Veronica I. Gonzalez
Wants relief for small businesses burdened by regulation and taxes, and opposes tax increases on homeowners and renters.
Veronica Gonzalez campaign website ↗Keith Powers
In coverageSays he looks forward to continuing to tackle the crisis of affordability in New York.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on S9009, which enacts major parts of the state fiscal plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year; it passed the Assembly 91-52 on May 27, 2026 and was signed into law May 28. Sponsored and voted for A10429, a sales tax exemption for admission to comedy performances, which passed the Assembly June 1 and the Senate June 4, 2026, and A11540, exempting certain property from the ban on alcohol sales near schools, which passed the Assembly 137-2 on June 4 and was signed into law July 24, 2026. Also voted yes on S8811, on the attorney general's power against unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices (signed March 27, 2026); S3460, giving employees access to their personnel records (signed Sept. 9, 2026); and S9155, on how close cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship (signed Feb. 11, 2026).
Voted yes on S9009, S8811, S3460 and S9155; sponsor of A10429 and A11540 and voted yes on both · Feb. 11 to June 4, 2026 · S9009 signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026; S8811 as Chapter 94 on March 27, 2026; S3460 as Chapter 293 on Sept. 9, 2026; S9155 as Chapter 2 on Feb. 11, 2026; A11540 as Chapter 181 on July 24, 2026; A10429 passed the Assembly June 1 and the Senate June 4, 2026
Congestion pricing and transit projects
Also in playWhether the congestion pricing tolls on drivers stay in place and how quickly the MTA can finish construction projects are transit questions that come before state lawmakers.
Veronica I. Gonzalez
Wants to repeal congestion pricing and tolls, and wants Albany to pass e-bike rules such as Priscilla's Law.
Veronica Gonzalez campaign website ↗Keith Powers
In coveragePlaces infrastructure improvements high on his list of priorities.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsors A11356, which would speed up MTA capital construction by setting up a process for the utility relocations those projects need; it was referred to the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee on May 13, 2026.
Sponsor of A11356 · May 13, 2026 (latest action) · In the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee as of May 13, 2026
Homelessness and mental health
Also in playBoth candidates put homelessness and mental health services on their platforms.
Keith Powers
Proposes a large-scale plan to address homelessness and mental health, which his campaign likens to the Marshall Plan.
Keith Powers campaign website — Ideas ↗Veronica I. Gonzalez
Supports more investment in first responders and mental health services, and lists homeless services and reform of non-governmental organizations on her platform.
Veronica Gonzalez campaign website ↗