General Election
NY Senate · Senate District 36
Bail law divides a Democratic incumbent since 2017 and a Conservative challenger
Jamaal T. Bailey, a Democrat, has held the seat since 2017 and won it in 2024 with 91.5% of the vote. Grace Marrero, on the Conservative line, ran unsuccessfully for the Assembly in 2024 and for Bronx borough president in 2025.
Issues
5 issues · 2 candidates · every claim sourced
Bail, policing and criminal justice
Central to the raceThe Legislature writes New York's bail law, criminal procedure and police training rules, and the governor signs or vetoes them; the choice is whether to keep or repeal the current bail law and how far to set rules for police and prosecutors.
Grace Marrero
Believes crime is out of control and supports repealing the state's bail reform legislation.
Branch voter guide — Grace Marrero profile ↗
Jamaal T. Bailey
In coverageSponsored 2025 laws requiring police training on sexual assault and on autism and other developmental disabilities, and directing state police policies for child-sensitive arrest practices. His Senate biography says he spearheaded the bail, discovery and speedy-trial changes in the 2019 budget and the repeal of section 50-a, which had been a bar to police disciplinary records.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored S2295, requiring sexual-assault training for police officers and child protective workers; voted yes on April 29, 2025, and it was signed into law as Chapter 632 on Dec. 12, 2025. Sponsored S4767, on police training for situations involving people with autism and other developmental disabilities; voted yes on April 28, 2025, and it was signed into law as Chapter 423 on Sept. 26, 2025. Sponsored S805, directing state police policies on child-sensitive arrest practices; voted yes on Feb. 10, 2025, and it was signed into law as Chapter 131 on May 23, 2025. Sponsored S9632, presuming a defendant's creative or artistic expression inadmissible as evidence in criminal cases; it passed the Senate 38-22 on May 18, 2026, with his yes vote. Voted yes on S8415, a correctional-services omnibus, which passed the Senate 36-23 on June 12, 2025, and was signed into law as Chapter 707 on Dec. 19, 2025. Voted no on A10328A, granting peace officer status to security officers at St. Joseph's Health Hospital, North Medical Center and Northeast Medical Center, which passed the Senate 54-7 on June 3, 2026; and no on A8235, designating as peace officers the village of Holley's dog control officers named by the village board as constables, which passed 47-13 on June 4, 2026. Both were signed into law on July 24, 2026.
Sponsor of S2295, S4767, S805 and S9632, voting yes on each; voted yes on S8415; voted no on A10328A and A8235 · 2025-02-10 to 2026-06-04 · S2295 signed into law as Chapter 632 on Dec. 12, 2025; S4767 signed as Chapter 423 on Sept. 26, 2025; S805 signed as Chapter 131 on May 23, 2025; S9632 passed the Senate 38-22 on May 18, 2026; S8415 signed as Chapter 707 of the Laws of 2025 on Dec. 19, 2025; A10328 signed as Chapter 175 and A8235 as Chapter 174 on July 24, 2026
Economy, consumer protection and state spending
Central to the raceThe Legislature passes the state budget, including the 2026-27 budget bill that passed the Senate 38-24 in May 2026, and sets the rules businesses must follow; in dispute is whether that regulation drives up prices and should be pared back or be extended to protect consumers, and how openly the state accounts for its spending.
Grace Marrero
Believes inflation is the result of over-regulation and green initiatives. Supports greater transparency in government spending and is concerned about property developers having free rein.
Branch voter guide — Grace Marrero profile ↗Jamaal T. Bailey
In coverageSponsored 2025 laws creating an online system to verify motor vehicle insurance and prohibiting unfair residential real estate service agreements. Voted for a 2026 law on the attorney general's power over unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices, and for a 2026-27 state budget bill.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored S5331, establishing an online insurance verification system for motor vehicle insurance; voted yes on S5331A on June 12, 2025, and it was signed into law as Chapter 500 on Nov. 12, 2025. Sponsored S6361, prohibiting unfair residential real estate service agreements; it passed the Senate with his yes vote on June 10, 2025, passed the Assembly on June 16, 2025, and was signed into law as Chapter 634 on Dec. 12, 2025. Voted yes on S8811, on the attorney general's ability to protect New Yorkers from unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices, on Jan. 28, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 94 on March 27, 2026. Voted yes on S9009C, carrying out the state fiscal plan for 2026-27, on May 27, 2026; it passed the Senate 38-24 and was signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026.
Sponsor of S5331 and S6361, voting yes on each; voted yes on S8811 and S9009C · 2025-06-10 to 2026-05-27 · S5331 signed into law as Chapter 500 on Nov. 12, 2025; S6361 signed as Chapter 634 on Dec. 12, 2025; S8811 signed as Chapter 94 on March 27, 2026; S9009 signed as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026
Health care
Also in playState law decides how far government regulates medical care; the Medical Aid in Dying Act passed the Senate 35-27 in June 2025 and became law in February 2026.
Grace Marrero
Opposes government intervention in the COVID-19 pandemic and believes the role of big business in the health care sector needs to be reined in.
Branch voter guide — Grace Marrero profile ↗Jamaal T. Bailey
In coverageVoted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which passed the Senate 35-27 in June 2025 and became law in February 2026.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on A136, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, on June 9, 2025; it passed the Senate 35-27 with 1 excused and was signed into law as Chapter 714 of the Laws of 2025 on Feb. 6, 2026.
Voted yes on A136 · 2025-06-09 · Signed into law as Chapter 714 of the Laws of 2025 on Feb. 6, 2026
Climate and energy
Also in playThe Legislature sets state energy and climate policy; a law signed in December 2025 requires a utility or municipality to supply gas service on application to a building that lacks it, and in dispute is how far the state should pursue green initiatives, which one view holds raise prices.
Grace Marrero
Believes climate change is a "straw man argument" and that green initiatives, along with over-regulation, have caused inflation.
Branch voter guide — Grace Marrero profile ↗Jamaal T. Bailey
In coverageVoted for a 2025 law on the provision of gas service to new customers.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on S8417, relating to the provision of gas service to new customers, on June 12, 2025; it was signed into law as Chapter 709 of the Laws of 2025 on Dec. 19, 2025.
Voted yes on S8417 · 2025-06-12 · Signed into law as Chapter 709 of the Laws of 2025 on Dec. 19, 2025
Education and schools
Also in playGrace Marrero
Wants critical thinking prioritized in school curricula and more middle schools built in the Bronx.
Branch voter guide — Grace Marrero profile ↗Jamaal T. Bailey
In coverageVoted for the 2024-25 state budget bill covering education, labor, housing and family assistance.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on S8306C on April 19, 2024; it passed the Senate 36-24 and was signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024.
Voted yes on S8306C · 2024-04-19 · Signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024