General Election
Open Manhattan Senate seat splits over bail, taxes, tolls and housing
Democratic Sen. Brian Kavanagh did not file for re-election, leaving the seat open. Assembly Member Grace Lee won the June 23 Democratic primary over Yuh-Line Niou with 62.5%; Jason C. Murillo advanced after the Republican primary was canceled.
Assembly Member, District 65 (Lower Manhattan), two terms; won the seat in 2022
Taxes & living costs — Supports raising revenue from the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations to pay for public services: higher income tax rates on ultra-high earners, a wealth tax, closing corporate tax loopholes, inheritance and gift tax changes, and a tax on second homes worth $5 million or more. Also backs capping low-income households' utility bills at 6% of income.
Kathy Hochul +49
Attorney in downtown Manhattan; also a local DJ and radio show host
Public safety — Wants to change New York's bail laws and hold repeat violent offenders more accountable. Proposes security gates at NYCHA complexes citywide, with the entrances staffed by a new, dedicated 24-hour NYPD security unit.
Steve Chan +7
▸ Your ballot — State Senator - District 27
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Housing and public housing
Albany sets housing money and housing tax programs through state law and the budget, including the 2024 budget law covering education, labor, housing and family assistance. The open question is where new state effort goes: repairing and securing existing public housing, tax help to upgrade older buildings, or new permanently affordable housing built by the state.
Proposes converting 16 closed state prisons into 4,000 affordable apartments run under the Section 8 landlord program, and a 50-building development of 8,960 apartments served by 24-hour MTA bus service between Dutchess County and New York City. Wants direct investment in NYCHA repairs and opposes plans he says would displace public housing tenants.
Jason Murillo for NY Senate — IssuesPublic safety and criminal justice
State law, which the Legislature writes, sets the rules for bail, parole and which offenses count as hate crimes. The choice is between tightening pretrial release and adding police resources, or widening parole and people's ability to sue officials who violate their rights.
Wants to change New York's bail laws and hold repeat violent offenders more accountable. Proposes security gates at NYCHA complexes citywide, with the entrances staffed by a new, dedicated 24-hour NYPD security unit.
Jason Murillo for NY Senate — IssuesTaxes and the cost of living
State income, inheritance and gift taxes are set in Albany. The dispute is whether to raise more from the highest earners and wealthiest households to pay for public services, or to cut taxes and regulation for small businesses to ease living costs.
Wants deregulation and significant tax relief for small businesses as the way to grow the economy and fight the rising cost of living for working families.
Jason Murillo for NY Senate — HomeCycle-to-date · NYS Board of Elections — figures change as new reports are filed.
LeeResearched & verified Sep 30, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.
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