Gov

Primary Election

PRIMARY WAS JUN 23

NY AssemblyNew York - 81

PrimaryDemocratic Party

Open seat in NY-81 draws Dinowitz and Evers for Assembly

The 2026 primary for New York Assembly District 81 is an open-seat contest between Jeffrey Dinowitz and Morgan Evers. Both candidates have staked out positions on a broad array of issues including AI regulation, childcare, environmental justice, and housing. With no incumbent running, the race presents a competitive opportunity for either candidate to claim the seat.

Issues

8 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced

AI Regulation

Morgan Evers supports AI regulation to prevent privacy dangers, workforce replacement, and bias, and opposes unregulated data center expansions that cause environmental hazards and rising utility costs.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

In coverage

Dinowitz sponsored legislation to prohibit artificial intelligence companions from using features considered unsafe for minors, and to prohibit the manufacture and sale of chatbot toys in the state.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored NY A10379 (AI companions safety for minors) and NY A11144 (chatbot toy ban).

Ballotpedia
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Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers supports AI regulation to prevent privacy dangers, workforce replacement, bias, and discriminatory outcomes. She opposes unregulated and untaxed data center expansions that cause environmental hazards and rising utility costs.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page

Childcare & Early Education

Morgan Evers will work to ensure Bronx families have equitable access to NYC's expanded free universal childcare including 2K and 3K programs, and expand childcare during school holidays.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

In coverage

Dinowitz sponsored 'Kyra's Law' requiring courts to consider a child's health and safety when making decisions regarding child custody and visitation, and to review information related to allegations of child abuse, domestic violence, and child safety.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored NY A06194 (Kyra's Law).

Ballotpedia
ME

Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers will work to ensure Bronx families have equitable access to NYC's expanded free universal childcare including 2K and 3K programs, and expand childcare during school holidays.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page

Environmental Justice

Morgan Evers advocates for polluters to pay heavy fines for illegal dumping, and for safer green spaces and tree planting to mitigate highway air pollution contributing to asthma in Bronx children.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

In coverage

Dinowitz identifies climate and environment as a key priority. He has sponsored legislation to ban unencapsulated foam flotation in docks and buoys, regulate toxic substances in playground surfacing materials, and establish an indirect source review for heavy distribution warehouse operations to reduce emissions.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored NY A09047 (foam flotation ban), NY A07594 (toxic substances in playground surfacing), and NY A03575 (warehouse emissions review).

Ballotpedia
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Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers advocates for polluters to pay heavy fines for illegal dumping, and for safer green spaces and tree planting to mitigate highway air pollution contributing to asthma in Bronx children.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page

Healthcare and Maternal Health

Morgan Evers will address healthcare worker shortages, high insurance premiums, prior authorization obstacles, and advocates to lower maternal mortality, especially among women of color, while defending reproductive rights for all women.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

In coverage

Dinowitz lists healthcare as a key area of passion. He sponsored legislation to allow camp employees aged 18 or older to administer medications to children under certain conditions, and to protect health information by requiring consent or a designated purpose for processing health data.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored NY A00509 (camp medication administration) and NY A10357 (health information protection).

Ballotpedia
ME

Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers will address healthcare worker shortages, high insurance premiums, prior authorization obstacles, and state response to federal health policies. She advocates to lower maternal mortality, especially among women of color, and is pro-choice, defending reproductive rights for all women regardless of immigration status or residency.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page

Housing - Tenants Rights & Affordable Homeownership

Morgan Evers supports tenants rights and affordable homeownership, including defending cooperatives, ending bureaucratic red tape for state aid, and holding landlords accountable for violations.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

Dinowitz has prioritized housing stability, citing the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Act as a major legislative achievement. He has experience living in various housing types including NYCHA, rent-controlled, Mitchell-Lama, rent-stabilized, and co-op housing.

Ballotpedia
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Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers supports tenants rights and affordable homeownership, including defending the Amalgamated Houses and Mitchel-Lamas cooperatives, ending bureaucratic red tape for state aid, and holding landlords accountable for violations.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page

Worker Power and Labor Movement

Morgan Evers is committed to investing in worker power and the labor movement by supporting unions and organized labor.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

In coverage

Dinowitz sponsored the 'construction reporting pay act' requiring that laborers, workers, or mechanics who report for work on any day be paid no less than four hours at the prevailing wage. He also sponsored legislation to provide deputy sheriffs with the same interest arbitration scope as municipal police officers.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored NY A06950 (construction reporting pay act) and NY A09665 (deputy sheriff arbitration).

Ballotpedia
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Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers is committed to investing in worker power and the labor movement by supporting unions and organized labor.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page

Safer Streets

Morgan Evers supports proactive solutions to youth-involved gun violence, including investing in early education and community-led violence interruption programs, and increasing funding for the Bronx.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

In coverage

Dinowitz identifies public safety and justice as a top priority for his community. He has sponsored legislation including the 'victims protection and child sex buyer accountability act' to increase the age of victims of patronizing, promoting, and compelling prostitution, and the 'ceasing repeated and extremely egregious predatory (CREEP) behavior act' to provide anti-stalking orders.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Sponsored NY A09214 (victims protection and child sex buyer accountability act) and NY A03226 (CREEP behavior act).

Ballotpedia
ME

Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers supports proactive solutions to youth-involved gun violence, including investing in early education and community-led violence interruption programs, and increasing funding for the Bronx. She advocates for transparency with NYPD's new patrol divisions to avoid over-policing and build trust.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page

Prioritizing Our Seniors

Morgan Evers will prioritize serving seniors with respect and dignity, including transportation safety, protecting against scams, and helping them navigate government and new technologies.

JD

Jeffrey Dinowitz

In coverage

Dinowitz previously chaired the Aging Committee in the New York State Assembly, indicating a focus on senior issues.

✓ Track record — what they've actually done

Chaired the Aging Committee (2011-2012).

Ballotpedia
ME

Morgan Evers

Morgan Evers will prioritize serving seniors with respect and dignity, including transportation safety, protecting against scams, and helping them navigate government and new technologies.

Morgan Evers for NY Issues Page