Samantha Kattan
Samantha Kattan is a tenant organizer running for the open Assembly District 37 seat. She won the June 2026 Democratic primary and is unopposed in the November general election.[1][2]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsStronger rent regulation and tenant protections
Says she will defend and expand current rent stabilization laws and Good Cause Eviction protections, and supports the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (A6100).[2]
“In Albany I will defend and expand our current rent stabilization laws and Good Cause Eviction protections.”
- SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporations
Supports a progressive state income tax, a higher corporate tax rate, and a NYC "Fair Share" tax of an additional 2% on income over $1 million.[2]
“I support legislation to increase the corporate tax rate and bring it in line with... New Jersey... it's time to tax the rich!”
- SupportsUniversal, publicly funded child care
Backs the Universal Child Care Act (A5899) and says she will push to extend free childcare to infants as young as six weeks old.[2]
“I will back the Universal Child Care Act (A5899), and be a dogged advocate for an implementation that works for everyone.”
- OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportations
Opposes local-ICE cooperation; supports the New York for All Act ending 287(g) agreements and the MELT Act banning ICE agents from masking during civilian immigration actions.[2]
“I will support legislation to secure access to legal counsel during immigration court cases, to prohibit local law enforcement statewide from collaborating with ICE, to ban ICE agents from masking during civilian immigration actions, and more.”
- SupportsRaise the minimum wage
Supports a $30-per-hour New York State minimum wage.[2]
“I'll fight for a $30/hr New York State minimum wage to ensure that those who make New York function are compensated fairly, and can afford to stay.”
- SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuels
Supports full implementation of the Build Public Renewables Act and defending the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) emissions targets.[2]
“I will fight to defend the CLCPA and for the full implementation of the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA) so that we can move our state towards publicly-owned renewable energy.”
- SupportsLoosen zoning rules to build more housing
Supports creating a public Social Housing Development Authority to build new permanently affordable housing.[2]
“create a Social Housing Development Authority (A6265) to build world-class, permanently affordable new homes for our families to live in, not to line a landlord's pockets”
In their words — priorities
- "As a working parent, I understand the daily sacrifices families make to care for their children while keeping up with the rising cost of living in our city. And through my years as a tenant organizer, I've seen firsthand the unlivable conditions too many New Yorkers are forced to endure. But I've also seen how much power we have when we organize together."[2]
- "As your Assembly Member for District 37, I will fight alongside you for social housing, strong tenant protections, universal healthcare, free childcare, immigrant rights, and greener, healthier neighborhoods. These are not luxuries. They are basic human rights."[2]
- On taxes: "I support legislation to change New York's tax code to be progressive and increase taxes on our highest earners so that everyone pays their fair share," and she backs a New York City "Fair Share" tax of an additional 2% on income over $1 million.[2]
Background
- Kattan describes herself as a first-generation American; her mother immigrated from Mexico and her father from Syria.[2]
- She has worked as a tenant organizer, advocating for renters, and is a working parent.[2]
- She identifies as a democratic socialist and has been endorsed by the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, the New York Working Families Party, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Assembly Members Claire Valdez, Phara Souffrant Forrest, and Diana Moreno, among others.[2]