General Election
NY Senate · Senate District 59
Kristen Gonzalez is the only candidate on the ballot for this seat. You can also write in a candidate whose name isn't printed on the ballot.
Incumbent Kristen Gonzalez runs unopposed for a third Senate term
Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat also on the Working Families line, has held the seat since 2023 and is the only candidate on the ballot. She won it in 2022 after a five-candidate Democratic primary and was re-elected in 2024 with 98.9% of the vote.
Issues
7 issues · 1 candidate · every claim sourced
Artificial intelligence and data privacy
Central to the raceNew York law already regulates how state agencies use automated decision-making and artificial intelligence (signed in December 2024) and how certain state and local public entities use automated tools in employment decisions (signed in February 2026); the open question is how much further state rules should reach into private AI products and companies that collect personal data.
Kristen Gonzalez
In coverageSponsored New York's 2024 law regulating how state agencies use automated decision-making and AI, a 2026 law on AI hiring tools used by certain state and local entities, and a 2024 law requiring disclosure of deceptive media in political communications. Sponsors bills barring unsafe AI companion features for minors and requiring data brokers to register.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored S7543, regulating state agencies' use of automated decision-making systems and artificial intelligence; voted yes on June 6, 2024, and it was signed into law as Chapter 674 of the Laws of 2024 on Dec. 21, 2024. Sponsored S8831, on automated employment decision-making tools and AI systems used by certain state and local entities; voted yes on Jan. 21, 2026, and it was signed into law as Chapter 86 on Feb. 13, 2026. Sponsored S9678, requiring notice and disclosure of materially deceptive media in political communications; voted yes on June 6, 2024, and it was signed into law as Chapter 169 on June 28, 2024. Sponsored S9051, prohibiting AI companions from using features considered unsafe for minors; it passed the Senate on June 4, 2026, with her yes vote, and the Assembly on June 5, 2026. Sponsored S9088, requiring data brokers to register and creating a data deletion mechanism for consumers; it passed the Senate on June 3, 2026, with her yes vote, and was referred to the Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee on June 4, 2026.
Sponsor of S7543, S8831, S9678, S9051 and S9088, voting yes on each · 2024-06-06 to 2026-06-04 · S7543 signed into law as Chapter 674 of the Laws of 2024 on Dec. 21, 2024; S9678 signed into law as Chapter 169 on June 28, 2024; S8831 signed into law as Chapter 86 on Feb. 13, 2026; S9051 passed the Senate June 4 and the Assembly June 5, 2026; S9088 passed the Senate June 3, 2026, and is in the Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee
Housing and tenants
Central to the raceKristen Gonzalez
In coverageSupports guaranteeing housing as a human right. Sponsors a bill to provide internet access to everyone living in temporary housing, which passed the Senate and the Assembly in June 2026.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored S8026, providing internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; it passed the Senate on June 3, 2026, with her yes vote, and the Assembly on June 5, 2026.
Sponsor of S8026, voting yes · 2026-06-03 · Passed the Senate on June 3, 2026, and the Assembly on June 5, 2026
Climate and energy
Central to the raceThe Legislature writes the state's energy rules, including a law on gas service to new customers signed in December 2025; in question is how far the state itself should go in building and owning renewable power.
Kristen Gonzalez
In coverageSupports building publicly owned renewable energy in New York. Voted for a law on gas service to new customers, signed in December 2025.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on S8417, on 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
Health care
Central to the raceState law sets how health care is regulated and paid for in New York; the Medical Aid in Dying Act passed the Senate 35-27 in June 2025 and became law in February 2026.
Kristen Gonzalez
In coverageSupports providing single-payer health care in New York State. Voted 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 that day 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
State budget, taxes and local government
Also in playThe Legislature passes the state budget and decides what the state taxes; the bill carrying the 2026-27 state fiscal plan became law on May 28, 2026.
Kristen Gonzalez
In coverageVoted against the budget bills carrying the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget and the 2026-27 state fiscal plan, both of which became law. Sponsors a tax on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities of one million or more, which passed the Senate in May 2026. Voted against speeding up downstate casino licenses and a 2023 law on incorporating villages.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on S8306C, implementing the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget, on April 19, 2024; it was signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024. Voted no on S9009C, implementing the 2026-27 state fiscal plan, on May 27, 2026; it was signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026. Sponsored S1140, a tax on noise from non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities with a population of one million or more; it passed the Senate on May 28, 2026, with her yes vote, and was referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Voted no on S9673A, on accelerating the downstate casino licenses, which passed the Senate 50-10 on June 7, 2024, and was vetoed by the governor on Nov. 22, 2024. Voted no on S7538, on the incorporation of villages, on June 8, 2023; it was signed into law as Chapter 774 of the Laws of 2023 on Dec. 22, 2023.
Voted no on S8306C, S9009C, S9673A and S7538; sponsor of S1140, voting yes · 2023-06-08 to 2026-05-28 · S8306 signed into law as Chapter 56 on April 20, 2024; S9009 signed into law as Chapter 59 on May 28, 2026; S1140 passed the Senate May 28, 2026, and is in the Assembly Ways and Means Committee; S9673 vetoed Nov. 22, 2024; S7538 signed into law as Chapter 774 of the Laws of 2023 on Dec. 22, 2023
Criminal law and domestic violence
Also in playKristen Gonzalez
In coverageSponsored a 2023 law requiring the state's domestic violence prevention office to distribute information on recognizing economic abuse and the support available to victims. Voted no on a 2023 bill on the offenses of rape in the first, second and third degrees, which passed the Senate 58-4, and on a 2024 bill on certain sex offenses, which passed 59-3; both became law.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored S5915, requiring the office for the prevention of domestic violence to distribute informational materials on recognizing economic abuse and available victim support; voted yes on May 18, 2023, and it was signed into law as Chapter 537 on Oct. 23, 2023. Voted no on A3340, on the offenses of rape in the first, second and third degrees, on June 6, 2023, when it passed the Senate 58-4; it was signed into law as Chapter 777 of the Laws of 2023 on Jan. 30, 2024. Voted no on S8008, on certain sex offenses, which passed the Senate 59-3 on Jan. 9, 2024, and was signed into law as Chapter 23 on Jan. 30, 2024.
Sponsor of S5915, voting yes; voted no on A3340 and S8008 · 2023-05-18 to 2024-01-09 · S5915 signed into law as Chapter 537 on Oct. 23, 2023; A3340 passed the Senate 58-4 and was signed into law as Chapter 777 of the Laws of 2023 on Jan. 30, 2024; S8008 passed the Senate 59-3 and was signed into law as Chapter 23 on Jan. 30, 2024
Transit and street safety
Also in playKristen Gonzalez
Supports the SAFE Streets Act to lower speed limits, create a victims' bill of rights and require three feet of space for cyclists. Her campaign says she pushed for more express bus and G train service, including more cars on G trains, and unveiled a Western Queens street safety plan to address traffic deaths.
Kristen Gonzalez campaign website — Issues ↗