In the 2024 election, the Democratic Party retained its State Senate majority, but lost its veto-proof (two-thirds) majority after it lost one seat in the election for the 17th Senate district to Republican Steve Chan.[3]
Candidates must have filed paperwork between March 30 and April 2, 2026, to run.[4]
Retirements
As of July 2026, 4 senators (1 Democrats and 3 Republicans) have announced their retirement, 1 of whom (Republican Peter Oberacker) is retiring to run for other offices.
There are three special elections for the 206th New York State Legislature, listed here by date and district. Under New York state law, vacancies in the state senate and other offices are filled by special elections, scheduled separately from the regular election cycle. The winners of these special elections will serve the remainder of the unexpired terms, and are expected to seek full terms in the 2026 general election.
One state senate seat became vacant during the 206th New York State Legislature due to resignations following election to other offices.
A special election for district 22 was held on May 20, 2025. Party nominations were made by county party committees, rather than through primary elections.[17]
District 22
In 2024, incumbent Democratic senator Simcha Felder, who caucused with the Republican Party until 2019, won re-election to a seventh term with 99.09% of the vote. On April 9, 2025, he resigned from the state senate to become the New York City Council member for the 44th district after winning a special election on March 25. On May 20, Democrat Sam Sutton won the special election with 57.03% of the vote against Republican Nachman Carl Caller to succeed Felder. Sutton was sworn in on May 27.
2025 New York State Senate special election, District 22[12]
Two state senate seats became vacant during the 206th New York State Legislature due to resignations following election to other offices. Under New York state law, these vacancies are filled by special elections, scheduled separately from the regular election cycle. The winners of these special elections will serve the remainder of the unexpired terms, and are expected to seek full terms in the 2026 general election.
Special elections for State Senate districts 47 and 61 were held on February 3, 2026. Party nominations were made by county party committees, rather than through primary elections.[18]
Erik Bottcher was selected as the Democratic nominee by the district's membership of the New York County party committee, whose special nomination meeting took place on January 11, 2026.[19] The Republican nominee was originally Kevin O'Connell, later replaced by Charlotte Friedman.[20] Bottcher won the special election and assumed office on February 4, 2026.[21]
2026 New York State Senate special election, District 47[14]
The seat for the 61st district became vacant after Senator Sean Ryan resigned effective January 1, 2026, following his election as mayor of Buffalo.
Assemblymember Jon Rivera had made his intentions to seek the seat before Ryan's resignation, and formally announced his candidacy on October 9, 2025.[22] Erie County Democratic chair Jeremy Zellner announced his candidacy on January 5, 2026.[23] Zellner was nominated by the party as their official candidate. The Republicans and Conservatives nominated perennial candidate Dan Gagliardo.[24] Zellner won the election and assumed office on February 4, 2026.[25]
2026 New York State Senate special election, District 61[16]
The 6th district covers central Nassau County in Long Island, including portions of the town of Hempstead including Hempstead village, Garden City, Uniondale, Freeport, and Baldwin, and southern North Hempstead including Westbury and New Cassel. The incumbent is Democrat Siela Bynoe, who was first elected with 60.83% of the vote in 2024.
The 7th district covers northwestern Nassau County in Long Island, including portions of North Hempstead and small areas of Hempstead and Oyster Bay. The incumbent is Republican Jack Martins, who was re-elected to a second consecutive and fifth overall term with 55.09% of the vote in 2024.
The 8th district covers parts of the South Shore in Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk counties. The incumbent is Republican Alexis Weik, who was re-elected to a third term with 67.2% of the vote in 2024.
Ramos's 2026 challengers criticize her 2025 endorsement of New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo[55] and the quality of life in the district.[56] Ramos criticizes challenger Jessica González-Rojas for her support of a local casino project[57] and criticizes challenger Hiram Monserrate for his past corruption and assault convictions.[58]
The 16th district is located in central Queens, covering parts of the neighborhoods of Flushing, Fresh Meadows, and Bayside. The incumbent is Democrat John Liu, who was re-elected to a fourth term with 79.39% of the vote in 2024.
In 2024, incumbent Democratic senator Simcha Felder, who caucused with the Republican Party until 2019, won re-election to a seventh term with 99.09% of the vote. On April 9, 2025, he resigned from the state senate to become the New York City Council member for the 44th district after winning a special election on March 25. On May 20, Democrat Sam Sutton won the special election with 57.03% of the vote against Republican Nachman Carl Caller to succeed Felder. Sutton was sworn in on May 27.
The 24th district covers the southern two-thirds of Staten Island, including the southernmost point in the state of New York. The incumbent is Republican Andrew Lanza, who was re-elected to a tenth term with 98.24% of the vote in 2024.
The 39th district covers some portions of Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam counties, including the cities of Newburgh and Poughkeepsie. The incumbent is Republican Robert Rolison, who was re-elected to a second term with 50.67% of the vote in 2024.
The 41st district covers almost all of Dutchess County, including the city and town of Poughkeepsie, and the western half of Putnam County. The incumbent is Democrat Michelle Hinchey, who was re-elected to a third term with 58.62% of the vote in 2024.
The 42nd district covers almost all of Orange County, including all of the southern and western portions of the county. The incumbent is Democrat James Skoufis, who was re-elected to a fourth term with 54.46% of the vote in 2024.
The 43rd district covers all of Rensselaer County, most of Washington County, and the northeast corner in Albany County. The incumbent is Republican Jake Ashby, who was re-elected to a second term with 54.61% of the vote in 2024.
The 44th district covers some portions of Saratoga and Schenectady counties, including the city of Schenectady. The incumbent is Republican Jim Tedisco, who was re-elected to a fifth term with 57.85% of the vote in 2024.
The 45th district covers a large portion of northeastern New York's North County and Capital District, including all of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Warren counties, and parts of St. Lawrence and Washington counties. The district, which contains Plattsburgh and Queensbury, reaches the northernmost point in the state. The incumbent is Republican Dan Stec, who was re-elected to a third term with 99.01% of the vote in 2024.
The 46th district covers a portion of western Capital District, including all of Montgomery County and parts of Albany and Schenectady, dominated by the state capital, Albany. The incumbent is Democrat Patricia Fahy, who defeated Republican Theodore Danz Jr. to succeed fourteen-term Democratic incumbent Neil Breslin with 55.87% of the vote in 2024.
In 2024, incumbent Democratic senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal won re-election to a seventh term with 83.78% of the vote. On December 31, 2025, he resigned from the state senate to become the Manhattan borough president after winning the general election on November 4. On February 3, 2026, Democrat Erik Bottcher won the special election with 91.66% of the vote against Republican Charlotte Friedman to succeed Hoylman-Sigal. Bottcher was sworn in on February 4.
The 48th district covers portions of Cayuga and Onondaga counties, including the city of Syracuse. The incumbent is Democrat Rachel May, who was re-elected to a fourth term with 58.4% of the vote in 2024.
The 50th district covers parts of Onondaga and Oswego counties, centered on the suburbs of the city of Syracuse. The incumbent is Democrat Chris Ryan, who defeated Republican Nick Paro to succeed two-full-term Democratic incumbent John Mannion with 50.43% of the vote in 2024.
The 52nd district covers all of Cortland and Tompkins counties, as well as the western half of Broome County, including the cities of Binghamton and Ithaca. The incumbent is Democrat Lea Webb, who was re-elected to a second term with 57.48% of the vote in 2024.
The 53rd district covers all of Madison and Oneida counties, and portions of ChenangoHerkimer, including the city of Utica. The incumbent is Republican Joseph Griffo, who was re-elected to a tenth term with 70.17% of the vote in 2024.
The 55th district covers a portion of Monroe County, including the eastern half of the city of Rochester. The incumbent is Democrat Samra Brouk, who was re-elected to a third term with 61.56% of the vote in 2024.
The 56th district covers a portion of Monroe County, including the western half of the city of Rochester. The incumbent is Democrat Jeremy Cooney, who was re-elected to a third term with 58.86% of the vote in 2024.
The 60th district covers a portion of Erie County, including the towns of Clarence, Colden, and Elma. The incumbent is Republican Patrick M. Gallivan, who was re-elected to an eighth term with 98.97% of the vote in 2024.
The 61st district is located in Erie County, covering the municipalities of Amherst, Grand Island, the city of Tonawanda, the town of Tonawanda, and portions of Buffalo's Delaware, Ellicott, Masten, Niagara, North, and University wards. The incumbent is Democrat Jeremy Zellner, who was elected in a special election with 59.69% of the vote in February 2026.
In 2024, incumbent Democratic senator Sean Ryan won re-election to a third term with 61.73% of the vote. On December 31, 2025, he resigned from the state senate to become the mayor of Buffalo after winning the general election on November 4. On February 3, 2026, Democrat Jeremy Zellner won the special election with 59.69% of the vote against Republican Dan R. Gagliardo to succeed Ryan. Zellner was sworn in on February 4.
The 62nd district covers all of Niagara and Orleans counties, as well as the western half of Monroe County, including the city of Niagara Falls. The incumbent is Republican Rob Ortt, who was re-elected to a sixth term with 99.37% of the vote in 2024.
The 63rd district covers a portion of Erie County, including most of the city of Buffalo and all of Cheektowaga and Lackawanna. The incumbent is Democrat April Baskin, who defeated Republican John P. Moretti Jr. to fill the vacancy of eight-term Democratic incumbent Tim Kennedy, who resigned on May 6, 2024, with 66.3% of the vote in 2024.
↑Candidates in the 1st–4th districts file with the Suffolk County Board of Elections, candidates in the 5th–7th and 9th districts file with the Nassau County Board of Elections, candidates in the 8th, 34th, 36th, 39th–41st, 43rd–46th, 48th–54th, 57th–58th, and 62nd districts file with the State Board of Elections, candidates in the 10th–33rd, 47th, and 59th districts file with the New York City Board of Elections, candidates in the 35th and 37th districts file with the Westchester County Board of Elections, candidates in the 38th district file with the Rockland County Board of Elections, candidates in the 42nd district file with the Orange County Board of Elections, candidates in the 55th–56th district file with the Monroe County Board of Elections, and candidates in the 60th–61st and 63rd district file with the Erie County Board of Elections.[28]
12345Reisman, Nick; Sommerfeldt, Chris (16 March 2026). "Mike Lawler's campaign is paying an activist". POLITICO. Retrieved 17 March 2026. Lee launched her state Senate campaign on Feb. 13 after the seat's incumbent, state Sen. Brian Kavanagh, announced he wouldn't be running for reelection. Most state legislative candidates had already started raising money long before then. Kavanagh has endorsed Lee to replace him. Former Assemblymember and Working Families Party-backed candidate Yuh-Line Niou is also running for the spot. The Niou campaign did not immediately respond to a request from Playbook to share their fundraising stats. Lee says she had 770 unique donors this cycle, and 97 percent of the contributions she's received since launching her senate campaign have come from inside the district. She also shared with Playbook that she's been endorsed by left-leaning advocacy group Citizen Action of New York.
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