Sam Berger
DCINCUMBENTNY State Assembly Member, District 27 (since 2023)
Sam Berger is the Democratic and Conservative Party incumbent for NY State Assembly District 27, first elected in a 2023 special election. An attorney, he serves on the Aging, Judiciary, Insurance, Mental Health, Social Services and Veterans' Affairs committees, and is running unopposed for re-election.[1][2][3]
Floor votes in Albany
- YesProvides that a microbusiness licensee authorized to conduct retail sales may serve as a processor and cultivator for purposes of cannabis showcase event permits · S10113 · Passed Assembly 88–53 · 2026-06-05 official record ↗Provides that a microbusiness licensee authorized to conduct retail sales may serve as a processor and cultivator for purposes of cannabis showcase event permits.
- NoRelates to granting employees access to personnel records · S3460 · Passed Assembly 92–49 · 2026-05-19 official record ↗Grants employees access to personnel records; requires notice of negative information in such records and an opportunity for a review; permits employee to include certain information in personnel records.
Votes on landmark laws since 2019, plus 2026 roll calls where at least five members voted on the losing side — read from the legislature’s official records.
On the record — official actions
- billSponsored A2139-A, the "Honoring Our Pledge to Eliminate Antisemitism (HOPE) act," which would require state agencies and courts to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism when investigating discrimination complaints; referred to the Codes Committee as of January 2026.[5]
- billSponsored A109, requiring financial-education instruction for pupils in grades nine through twelve; referred to the Education Committee.[6]
- billSponsored A6594, giving admissions preference to a sibling of a current student applying to the same New York City public elementary or middle school; referred to the Education Committee.[7]
- billSponsored A4020, providing a state tax credit for installing residential fire sprinkler systems; referred to the Ways and Means Committee.[8]
- billSponsored the Ignazio Giacalone Act, providing additional retirement credits to children and siblings of deceased NYC sanitation workers who died from service-related illness after 9/11.[4]
- billSponsored Gittel's Law, expanding the penal code to include licensed mental health counselors and marriage/family therapists among professionals whose sexual misconduct during treatment sessions can be prosecuted.[4]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsIncrease police funding and staffing
Says public safety is his district's most important issue and has secured federal grants and directed local funding to the 107th and 109th Precincts.[4]
In their words — priorities
- Public safety, which he calls "the most important issue in my district," citing federal grants he secured for the 107th Precinct and funding he directed to the 109th Precinct and Queens Shmira.[4]
- Addressing the mental health workforce shortage by advancing licensure legislation that reduces barriers for aspiring mental health professionals while maintaining quality standards.[4]
- Responsive constituent services, saying "our responsibility...is to address every concern brought to us by the residents we serve."[4]
Background
- Earned a bachelor's degree and a law degree from St. John's University.[1][2]
- Gained legal experience through externships with the Kings County Surrogate's Court and the Queens County Supreme Court, Criminal Term.[2]
- A lifelong resident of the district and father of three; worked as an attorney and community advocate before taking office.[2]
- Serves on the Aging, Judiciary, Insurance, Mental Health, Social Services and Veterans' Affairs committees in the 2025-2026 session.[1]