NY State Assembly · District 26
Edward Braunstein
NY State Assembly Member, District 26 (since 2011)DINCUMBENT
- Race
- NY State Assembly · District 26
- Result
- Edward Braunstein, projected winner
- Opponent
- Robert Speranza (R)
- Research
- In depth
Party line32 votes tracked
Broke with Democrats on
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did1 statement · 32 votes
Edward Braunstein is the Democratic Assembly Member for District 26 in Northeast Queens, first elected in 2010, and won re-election on November 3, 2026. Born and raised in Bayside, he worked as a legislative assistant in the Assembly Speaker's New York City office before his election and chairs the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee.[1][2][3][4]
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotNY State Assembly · 26
2026-11-03
| Edward Braunstein D | incumbent |
| Robert Speranza R | challenger |
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
Sponsored A02047, creating a real-property tax abatement and exemption for capital improvements that reduce carbon emissions, with co-sponsors including David Weprin and Nily Rozic.
Documented position[5]
- YESS6599 (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, 2019-06-20): Set statewide targets of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and an 85% cut in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050.[6]
1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESS6458 (Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, 2019-06-14): Made rent regulation permanent, ended vacancy decontrol and the vacancy bonus, and limited rent increases for major capital improvements.[7]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESS2451 (Extreme risk protection orders (red-flag law), 2019-01-29): Allows courts to temporarily bar people found to pose a danger to themselves or others from possessing firearms.[8]
- YESS51001 (Concealed Carry Improvement Act, 2022-07-01): Enacted after the Bruen decision: added training and character requirements for carry permits and barred guns in designated sensitive places.[9]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESS240 (Reproductive Health Act, 2019-01-22): Moved abortion from the penal code to the public-health law and protected access to abortion under state law.[10]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESA2176 (Protect Our Courts Act, 2020-07-20): Bars federal civil immigration arrests of people going to, attending, or leaving New York courthouses without a judicial warrant.[11]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESS2509 (2021–22 budget revenue bill, 2021-04-07): Raised personal income tax rates on incomes above $1 million and raised the corporate franchise tax rate on large businesses, among other revenue measures.[12]
Biography
Edward Braunstein is the Democratic Assembly Member for District 26 in Northeast Queens, first elected in 2010, and won re-election on November 3, 2026. Born and raised in Bayside, he worked as a legislative assistant in the Assembly Speaker's New York City office before his election and chairs the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee.[1][2][3][4]
Braunstein was born and raised in Bayside, Queens. He earned a B.S. in Finance from the State University of New York at Albany in 2003 and a J.D. from New York Law School in 2008, and his Assembly biography says he passed the bar exam in February 2009.[1][2] Before his election, he worked as a legislative assistant in the Assembly Speaker's New York City office (Ballotpedia names the Speaker as Sheldon Silver) and served on Community Board 11, which covers Northeast Queens neighborhoods.[1][2] He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2010 to represent the 26th District and took office in 2011.[1][2]
Braunstein chairs the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee (2025-2026) and serves on the Health, Judiciary, Rules and Ways and Means committees; he chaired the Cities Committee from 2019 through 2024.[1][2] His Assembly biography says his first bill to be signed into law, banning so-called "bath salts," was enacted in July 2011 (Chapter 130 of 2011). According to the same biography, he also sponsored laws making the unlicensed practice of law a felony (Chapter 492 of 2012), requiring campuses to notify local law enforcement of on-campus violent crimes and missing persons (Chapter 486 of 2014), and establishing the crime of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image (Chapter 109 of 2019).[1] According to his official Assembly biography, he lives in Bay Terrace with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children.[1] He won the November 3, 2026 general election with 61.4% of the vote to Robert Speranza's 38.5%, according to unofficial results reported by Ballotpedia and Wikipedia.[3][4]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 31–12 |
| 2026-06-05 | Against partyvoted no | Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗Democrats 83–6 · Republicans 0–43 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗Democrats 87–1 · Republicans 26–17 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Democrats 85–4 · Republicans 13–30 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗Democrats 87–2 · Republicans 24–19 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Requires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗Democrats 82–9 · Republicans 0–43 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 30–13 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 66–22 · Republicans 30–13 |
Showing the 8 most recent of 32 votes.
All 32 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 31–12Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. Lawrence from three to five percent. |
| 2026-06-05 | Against partyvoted no | Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗Democrats 83–6 · Republicans 0–43Provides for the use of restoration services when determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗Democrats 87–1 · Republicans 26–17Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-Hudson; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Democrats 85–4 · Republicans 13–30Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗Democrats 87–2 · Republicans 24–19Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Requires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗Democrats 82–9 · Republicans 0–43Requires certain elections take place in even-numbered years for certain municipal and judicial officials except in the city of New York. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 30–13Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel tax; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 66–22 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of Oneonta not to exceed 6%. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias programS6983-A · Passed Assembly 92–40 · official record ↗Democrats 89–0 · Republicans 3–40Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the village of Atlantic Beach to impose a hotel, motel and beach club taxS7966-A · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Democrats 68–21 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes the village of Atlantic Beach, county of Nassau to impose a three percent hotel, motel and beach club tax; defines "beach club" as a facility formed, organized or operated by any person, firm or corporation, located on or contiguous to an ocean beach, permitting sunbathing, swimming and other allied recreation activities, including such uses operated by a hotel, cooperative complex or other entity; makes related provisions. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Provides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housingS8026-A · Passed Assembly 126–6 · official record ↗Democrats 89–0 · Republicans 37–6Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklandsS8852-C · Passed Assembly 123–8 · official record ↗Democrats 80–8 · Republicans 43–0Authorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklands in the town of Carmel for use as a cell tower for thirty years. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel taxS9027 · Passed Assembly 97–34 · official record ↗Democrats 67–21 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel tax not exceeding five percent of the per diem rental rate for each room. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of IthacaS9528-A · Passed Assembly 110–21 · official record ↗Democrats 87–1 · Republicans 23–20Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Ithaca; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2030. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel taxS9862-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel tax at a rate of five percent. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Increases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk countyA11552 · Passed Assembly 117–24 · official record ↗Democrats 76–20 · Republicans 41–4Increases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk county; provides for the support of a not-for-profit organization that manages and owns the first lighthouse built in New York, a national register of historic places site in Suffolk county that has been named a national historic landmark and is a New York state historic site. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts the responsible data center development actA11560 · Passed Assembly 103–38 · official record ↗Democrats 93–3 · Republicans 10–35Places a one year moratorium on the issuance of data center permits; requires utilities to establish an independent classification of service for large data centers; sets energy efficiency goals for data centers; provides for benefits for host communities; sets labor standards for the construction of data centers. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts into law necessary legislation including extensions and technical correctionsA11561 · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Democrats 93–2 · Republicans 7–37Extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part A); extends the duration of certain brownfield redevelopment and remediation tax credits with respect to a site located at 1800 Park Avenue (Part B); makes technical corrections relating to extending the term and authority of the independent monitor for the Orange county IDA (Part C); extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part D); makes technical corrections to section 11-3206 of the administrative code of the city of New York (Part E); provides for the temporary transfer of racing support payments (Part F). |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to the taxation of vapor productsA4619-B · Passed Assembly 135–6 · official record ↗Democrats 92–4 · Republicans 43–2Relates to the taxation of vapor products; provides for the licensing of vapor products distributors; imposes certain tax return filing requirements on vapor products distributors; provides for enforcement powers. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of AmsterdamS10196-A · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Democrats 91–5 · Republicans 27–18Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Amsterdam; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of YonkersS10564 · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Democrats 91–5 · Republicans 27–18Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Yonkers; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklandS10611 · Passed Assembly 126–15 · official record ↗Democrats 88–8 · Republicans 38–7Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parkland and to lease such land to HESP Solar LLC for a term not to exceed twenty-five years. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to judicial districtsS10626 · Passed Assembly 95–46 · official record ↗Democrats 95–1 · Republicans 0–45Provides that in the fourth judicial department, three new districts, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen are added; makes related provisions. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customersS1327-A · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Democrats 94–1 · Republicans 6–38Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Provides remedies for disrupted electionsS4602-B · Passed Assembly 93–48 · official record ↗Democrats 93–3 · Republicans 0–45Provides remedies for disrupted voting times and locations during elections; directs that the BOE extend voting to account for the disruption. |
| 2022-07-01 | Split partyvoted yes | Concealed Carry Improvement ActS51001 · Passed 90–52 · official record ↗Enacted after the Bruen decision: added training and character requirements for carry permits and barred guns in designated sensitive places. |
| 2021-04-07 | Split partyvoted yes | 2021–22 budget revenue billS2509 · Passed 88–61 · official record ↗Raised personal income tax rates on incomes above $1 million and raised the corporate franchise tax rate on large businesses, among other revenue measures. |
| 2020-07-20 | Split partyvoted yes | Protect Our Courts ActA2176 · Passed 97–44 · official record ↗Bars federal civil immigration arrests of people going to, attending, or leaving New York courthouses without a judicial warrant. |
| 2019-06-20 | Split partyvoted yes | Climate Leadership and Community Protection ActS6599 · Passed 111–35 · official record ↗Set statewide targets of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and an 85% cut in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. |
| 2019-06-14 | Split partyvoted yes | Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019S6458 · Passed 95–46 · official record ↗Made rent regulation permanent, ended vacancy decontrol and the vacancy bonus, and limited rent increases for major capital improvements. |
| 2019-01-29 | Split partyvoted yes | Extreme risk protection orders (red-flag law)S2451 · Passed 100–37 · official record ↗Allows courts to temporarily bar people found to pose a danger to themselves or others from possessing firearms. |
| 2019-01-22 | Split partyvoted yes | Reproductive Health ActS240 · Passed 95–49 · official record ↗Moved abortion from the penal code to the public-health law and protected access to abortion under state law. |
Albany votes: landmark laws since 2019, plus the 25 most recent 2025–26 roll calls where at least five members voted on the losing side, from the legislature’s official records. Party line is scored for 2025–26 votes only.
On the record
Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.
- actionChairs the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee (2025-2026), which has jurisdiction over the Public Service Commission and utility regulation; also serves on the Health, Judiciary, Rules, and Ways and Means committees. Previously chaired the Cities Committee (2021-2024).[13]
- bill2026-06-04 · Sponsored A08675 ("prevention of damage to critical infrastructure act"), restricting junk and scrap dealers from buying metals used by critical infrastructure providers; passed the Assembly on March 9, 2026, amended and repassed May 18, 2026, and was substituted into Senate companion bill S8302-D, which passed the Senate on June 4, 2026 and was returned to the Assembly.[14]
- bill2026-06-04 · Sponsored A10422, requiring that any Public Service Commission sanction or civil penalty against a utility be returned to ratepayers as a direct bill credit within 90 days; the Assembly bill was substituted by Senate companion bill S8908, which passed the Assembly on June 4, 2026.[15]
- billSponsored A02429, directing the Department of Public Service to report on the affordability of water services for residential and commercial customers; referred to the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee, not enacted as of January 2026.[16]
- billSponsored A02047, establishing a property-tax abatement and exemption for capital improvements that reduce carbon emissions; referred to committee, not enacted as of this writing.[5]
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/edward-c-braunstein
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 3 of 114 party-divided votes on file.
Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial
What it does: Provides for the use of restoration services when determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial.
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 83–6, Republicans 0–43
Jun 5, 2026Official record ↗
Enacts the "police radio transparency act"
What it does: Requires that any law enforcement agency in the state that encrypts any portion of its radio communications shall ensure that all of its radio communications, with the exception of sensitive information, may be monito…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 77–18, Republicans 1–44
Jun 3, 2026Official record ↗
Relates to the location of retail adult-use dispensaries in proximity to schools and houses of worship; repealer
What it does: Amends provisions limiting the location of retail adult-use dispensaries in proximity to schools and houses of worship.
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 91–6, Republicans 0–44
Feb 11, 2026Official record ↗
Their votes on the most contested roll calls
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
- Yes
Facilitates appellate review of rulings that implicate issues of public concern
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 81–56 · Yes 81–No 56 · Democrats 81–11, Republicans 0–45
May 18, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
Relates to requirements for the provision of medication for medical aid in dying
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–62 · Yes 83–No 62 · Democrats 83–17, Republicans 0–45
Feb 4, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–53 · Yes 83–No 53 · Democrats 83–9, Republicans 0–44
Apr 28, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–61 · Yes 83–No 61 · Democrats 83–17, Republicans 0–44
Mar 31, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 82–52 · Yes 82–No 52 · Democrats 82–9, Republicans 0–43
Jun 5, 2026Official record ↗
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Biography - Edward C. Braunstein · New York State Assembly Official record
- 2.Edward Braunstein · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 3.New York State Assembly District 26 election results 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 4.2026 New York State Assembly election · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 5.A02047 - Summary · New York State Assembly Official record
- 6.Assembly floor vote: S6599 — Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act · New York State Assembly · 2019-06-20 Official record
- 7.Assembly floor vote: S6458 — Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 · New York State Assembly · 2019-06-14 Official record
- 8.Assembly floor vote: S2451 — Extreme risk protection orders (red-flag law) · New York State Assembly · 2019-01-29 Official record
- 9.Assembly floor vote: S51001 — Concealed Carry Improvement Act · New York State Assembly · 2022-07-01 Official record
- 10.Assembly floor vote: S240 — Reproductive Health Act · New York State Assembly · 2019-01-22 Official record
- 11.Assembly floor vote: A2176 — Protect Our Courts Act · New York State Assembly · 2020-07-20 Official record
- 12.Assembly floor vote: S2509 — 2021–22 budget revenue bill · New York State Assembly · 2021-04-07 Official record
- 13.Edward Braunstein · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 14.A08675 - Summary and Actions · New York State Assembly · 2026-06-04 Official record
- 15.A10422 - Summary and Actions · New York State Assembly · 2026-06-04 Official record
- 16.A02429 - Summary · New York State Assembly Official record