NY State Assembly · District 39
Catalina Cruz
NY State Assembly Member, District 39 (since 2019)DWFPINCUMBENT
- Race
- NY State Assembly · District 39
- Result
- Catalina Cruz, projected winner
- Opponent
- Ramses Frias (R, 4 Our Immigrants Party)
- Research
- In depth
Party line32 votes tracked
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did2 statements · 32 votes
Catalina Cruz is the Democratic and Working Families Party member of the NY State Assembly for District 39, which she has represented since 2019, and won re-election on November 3, 2026. An attorney who grew up undocumented in Queens, she worked in city and state government before winning the seat in 2018, and serves on the Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Health, Insurance, Labor, Rules, and Ways and Means committees. Her official biography highlights immigration reform, tenant protections and workers' rights.[1][2][3][4][5]
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotNY State Assembly · 39
2026-11-03
| Catalina Cruz DWFP | incumbent |
| Ramses Frias R4 Our Immigrants Party | 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.
Cosponsored A1466, the New York Health Act (2025–26 session), which would create a universal single-payer health plan (New York Health) for state residents.
Documented position[6]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
In an August 2021 press release, called on the governor to sign the remaining gun-violence bills the Legislature had passed, including A.2666-A on unfinished firearm frames and receivers and A.613 on serial numbers for "ghost guns".
Documented position[7]
- 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]
2 of 2 votes 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.[10]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- 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.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14]
Biography
Catalina Cruz is the Democratic and Working Families Party member of the NY State Assembly for District 39, which she has represented since 2019, and won re-election on November 3, 2026. An attorney who grew up undocumented in Queens, she worked in city and state government before winning the seat in 2018, and serves on the Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Health, Insurance, Labor, Rules, and Ways and Means committees. Her official biography highlights immigration reform, tenant protections and workers' rights.[1][2][3][4][5]
Cruz was born in Colombia and came to Queens at age 9; she lived in the United States for more than 10 years as an undocumented immigrant (a "DREAMer") before gaining status.[4] According to her official biography, she was raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs, including as a nanny, cleaning offices at night and selling tamales and empanadas at weekend soccer fields.[4] She holds a bachelor's degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Juris Doctor from the City University of New York School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in New York; Wikipedia dates the degrees to 2005 and 2009.[4][15]
Before holding elected office, Cruz practiced housing law representing tenants in housing court. Her government posts included Chief of Staff to then-Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Counsel to the City Council's Committee on Immigration, and Director of the Governor's Exploited Workers Task Force.[4] She won the September 13, 2018 Democratic primary for Assembly District 39 over incumbent Ari Espinal and Yonel Letellier Sosa, then won the November 6, 2018 general election; Ballotpedia lists her tenure as beginning in 2019. She has been re-elected in 2020, 2022 and 2024.[5]
Cruz serves on the Assembly's Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Health, Insurance, Labor, Rules, and Ways and Means committees, and is a member of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, the Legislative Women's Caucus and the Task Force on New Americans.[1] Her official biography says she has passed more than 20 new laws since taking office in 2019, including on food insecurity, healthcare costs and protections for older New Yorkers, and that she helped secure state funding for schools, hospitals and libraries in her district.[4] Her district includes Corona, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights and parts of Middle Village and Rego Park, and her official biography says she lives in Jackson Heights.[4] She won the November 3, 2026 general election over Ramses Frias, according to unofficial results from the NYC Board of Elections.[2][3]
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 | With partyvoted yes | 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 | With partyvoted yes | 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.
- actionServes on the Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Health, Insurance, Labor, Rules, and Ways and Means committees in the 2025-2026 session.[16]
- billSponsored A00270, establishing a right to legal counsel in immigration court proceedings; referred to the Codes Committee, not enacted as of September 2026.[17]
- billSponsored A00176 (print no. A00176A), allowing state agencies, municipalities and authorities to provide public benefits regardless of immigration status; amended and recommitted to the Social Services Committee, not enacted as of September 2026.[18]
- billSponsored A10021, which would bar denying children access to free public education based on their own or their parents' actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status; referred to the Education Committee, not enacted as of September 2026.[19]
- billSponsored A08516, authorizing the DMV to issue standard driver's licenses while restricting what applicant information can be retained or disclosed; referred to the Transportation Committee, not enacted as of September 2026.[20]
- billSponsored A00352, authorizing the state to withhold Medicaid reimbursements from retail entities that refuse to dispense federally approved pregnancy-prevention products; referred to the Health Committee, not enacted as of September 2026.[21]
In their own words
Priorities
- Describes her legislative focus as immigrant rights, tenant protections and workers' rights, citing her background as a formerly undocumented tenant attorney raised by a single working mother.[22]
- Her official biography states she has "passed more than 20 new laws to combat food insecurity, curtail the high cost of healthcare, protect aging New Yorkers and so much more" since taking office in 2019.[22]
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/catalina-cruz
Where they stood out
Voted with most of their party on all 114 party-divided votes on file.
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.Catalina Cruz - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly · 2026-09-25 Official record
- 2.2026 New York State Assembly election · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 3.New York State Assembly election results 2026 (unofficial election night results) · NYC Board of Elections · 2026-11-03 Official record
- 4.Catalina Cruz - Biography · New York State Assembly Official record
- 5.Catalina Cruz · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 6.A01466 (New York Health Act) - Summary · New York State Assembly · 2026-10-03 Official record
- 7.Queens Lawmaker Condemns Rising Gun Violence in Borough and Throughout New York City · New York State Assembly · 2026-10-03 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: S6458 — Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 · New York State Assembly · 2019-06-14 Official record
- 11.Assembly floor vote: S6599 — Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act · New York State Assembly · 2019-06-20 Official record
- 12.Assembly floor vote: S240 — Reproductive Health Act · New York State Assembly · 2019-01-22 Official record
- 13.Assembly floor vote: A2176 — Protect Our Courts Act · New York State Assembly · 2020-07-20 Official record
- 14.Assembly floor vote: S2509 — 2021–22 budget revenue bill · New York State Assembly · 2021-04-07 Official record
- 15.Catalina Cruz · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 16.Catalina Cruz - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly · 2026-09-25 Official record
- 17.A00270 - Summary and Actions · New York State Assembly Official record
- 18.A00176 - Summary and Actions · New York State Assembly Official record
- 19.A10021 - Summary and Actions · New York State Assembly Official record
- 20.A08516 - Summary and Actions · New York State Assembly Official record
- 21.A00352 - Summary and Actions · New York State Assembly Official record
- 22.Catalina Cruz - Biography · New York State Assembly Official record