Primary Election
Open seat in NY-27 pits Grace Lee against Yuh-Line Niou
This is an open-seat race for New York State Senate District 27, with no incumbent on the ballot. The two Democratic candidates, Grace Lee and Yuh-Line Niou, share many progressive priorities including affordability, housing, and reproductive rights, but differ on some issues such as AI & technology and consumer protection. No fundraising or polling data is available yet for this 2026 primary.
Member of the New York State Assembly for the 65th district since January 2023
Affordability — Grace Lee's top priority is affordability. She supports public investment in childcare and affordable housing, and ensuring corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share.
Kathy Hochul +7
Member of the New York State Assembly for the 65th district (2017–2022)
Immigration — As an immigrant herself, Niou champions the passage of 'New York For All' to protect fellow New Yorkers from ICE. She has worked to advance legislation strengthening New York's sanctuary protections and safeguarding communities targeted by ICE.
Jumaane Williams +7
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Affordability
Both candidates prioritize affordability, with Grace Lee supporting public investment in childcare and affordable housing funded by taxing corporations and the ultra-wealthy, while Yuh-Line Niou advocates expanding universal child care by taxing the ultra wealthy to address rising family costs.
Grace Lee's top priority is affordability. She supports public investment in childcare and affordable housing, and ensuring corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share.
Grace Lee for NYC Policy PageEthics
Grace Lee supported the LLC Transparency Act to stop anonymous shell companies and strengthen accountability for worker exploitation, while Niou emphasizes building a movement for transparency and accountability in government against systemic corruption.
Niou has built a movement for transparency, accessibility, and accountability in government, standing up to systemic corruption and speaking out against Governor Cuomo's culture of fear and consolidation of power.
Yuh-Line Niou for Senate - AboutHate Crimes
Grace Lee passed the Hate Crimes Modernization Act to expand prosecutable offenses, while Niou has fought against sexual harassment and racial discrimination, passing legislation to protect survivors and representing the AAPI community and other marginalized groups.
Grace Lee passed the Hate Crimes Modernization Act, the first strengthening of New York's hate crimes law in 20 years, expanding the list of offenses that can be prosecuted as hate crimes.
Grace Lee for NYC Policy PageResearched & verified Jun 22, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.