Brian A. Cunningham
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 80.8% of the vote
Brian A. Cunningham is the Democratic and Working Families Party incumbent in Assembly District 43, representing Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, and Flatbush since a March 2022 special election. He is seeking re-election to a third full term and won his June 2026 Democratic primary with 80.8% of the vote.[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.
- YesRelates 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.
- YesConcealed Carry Improvement Act · S51001 · Passed 90–52 · 2022-07-01 official record ↗Enacted after the Bruen decision: added training and character requirements for carry permits and barred guns in designated sensitive places.
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
- bill2025-01-29 · Prime sponsor of the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act (A3647-B); as of the 2025-2026 session the bill has been amended and remains in the Assembly Local Governments Committee.[4]
- bill2025-01-21 · Prime sponsor of the High Impact Tutoring Act (A2625-A), establishing a pilot grant program for local education providers to implement high-impact tutoring for low-income or underserved students; amended and recommitted to the Education Committee in April 2026.[6]
- bill2025-01-08 · Prime sponsor of the New York City Caribbean Steel Pan Educational Music Program Act (A00194), which would let NYC community school boards authorize school-grounds use in summer for steel pan practice ahead of the Labor Day Parade (West Indian Carnival); remains in the Education Committee.[7]
- billSponsor of legislation (A2666) requiring all municipal corporations to adopt SCRIE and DRIE senior/disability rent increase exemption programs.[5]
- actionServes on the Assembly Agriculture, Banks, Codes, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Economic Development/Job Creation/Commerce and Industry, and Transportation Committees for the 2025-2026 session.[10]
- actionServes as First Vice Chair of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators, Inc.[3]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsLoosen zoning rules to build more housing
Prime sponsor of the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act (A3647-B), which would require towns, villages, and cities to allow denser residential construction on land owned by religious institutions, with at least 20% of units set aside as affordable for most of the state.[4]
- SupportsStronger rent regulation and tenant protections
Sponsor of a bill (A2666) requiring all municipal corporations statewide to adopt Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) programs within one year.[5]
- SupportsStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes
Voted yes on S51001 (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.[11]
In their words — priorities
- Housing: has championed legislation to expand faith-based affordable housing, combat deed theft, and address bad-faith landlord practices.[3]
- Education: has advanced the High Impact Tutoring Act and the Caribbean Steel Pan Educational Music Program Act to expand opportunities for New York's youth.[3]
- Public safety and mental health: has sponsored measures to expand youth mobile crisis outreach and supports alternatives to violence, including the annual Central Brooklyn Classic basketball tournament.[3]
Background
- Born and raised in New York City to Jamaican immigrant parents in a working-class family.[3]
- Before the Assembly, he served as Chief of Staff in the New York City Council and as a Special Assistant in the New York State Senate, and was the first person elected to run a Cure Violence site in New York City, working to reduce gun violence in Central Brooklyn.[3]
- He worked as a youth advisor with organizations including CAMBA and NPower, and as an aide to President Obama's My Brother's Keeper Alliance.[3]
- He currently serves as First Vice Chair of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators, Inc., and was the inaugural Treasurer of the New York State Black Legislative Task Force.[3]