NY State Assembly · District 45
Brooklyn: Sheepshead Bay, Midwood, Manhattan Beach, Gravesend, and Brighton Beach
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Joey Cohen-Saban, projected winner
As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. Wikipedia ↗City & State: Democrats sweep local races in southern Brooklyn ↗City & State: Where do key state legislative races stand ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- Both major-party primaries for this seat were canceled. Incumbent Michael Novakhov (R, C) advanced from the Republican and Conservative Party primaries without appearing on the ballot. Joey Cohen-Saban (D) advanced from the Democratic primary without appearing on the ballot; he also has the Fight Anti-Semitism Party line. A third candidate, Rene Mitchell (Independent), withdrew before the general election. Cohen-Saban lost to Novakhov by about 230 votes in the 2024 general election and is running again.[1][2]
On the November 3 ballot · 2 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Expand public health coverage
- Michael NovakhovSupports[5]
Platform calls for expanding the reach of the state's Health and Hospital system, expanding Medicaid coverage of long-term residential care, and expanding pharmaceutical insurance coverage.
- Joey Cohen-Saban—
Faster transition away from fossil fuels
- Michael NovakhovOpposes[10]
In a March 2026 press release, called for an overhaul of the state's green energy mandates under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in favor of an all-of-the-above energy approach.
- Joey Cohen-Saban—
Increase police funding and staffing
- Michael Novakhov—
- Joey Cohen-SabanIn their own words[9]
“He will advocate for increased foot patrols, better community policing initiatives, and resources to address quality-of-life crimes that erode neighborhood safety.”
On his campaign website's issues page
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
- Michael NovakhovSupports[5]
Says he is committed to expanding school-choice options, including charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling.
- Joey Cohen-SabanIn their own words[9]
“ensure that nonpublic schools receive their fair share of state education dollars.”
On his campaign website's issues page
Keep congestion pricing in Manhattan
- Michael NovakhovOpposes[6]
Sponsor of a bill (A5201) to repeal New York City's congestion-pricing law and establish an MTA committee to survey transit-infrastructure and ADA-compliance needs instead.
- Joey Cohen-Saban—
Research notes & limits
Neither candidate has completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Novakhov's positions are drawn mainly from his campaign platform page and official bill sponsorships; neither candidate made a direct statement on federal immigration enforcement (ICE cooperation/deportations) specifically, so no position on that issue key is included for either, per the no-inference standard. Cohen-Saban's positions come from his campaign website; he has not held elected office, so he has no official voting or bill-sponsorship record. Cohen-Saban's campaign website says he came within 270 votes in 2024, while Ballotpedia's certified results show a 232-vote margin; this guide uses the Ballotpedia figures. Biographies of both candidates rely mainly on official and campaign pages, as no news profile was loaded.
Sources · 25
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.New York State Assembly District 45 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Joey Cohen-Saban · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 3.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Biography · New York State Assembly Official record
- 4.Michael for Assembly - Home · Michael Novakhov for Re-Election Candidate's own words
- 5.Michael for Assembly - Policy Priorities · Michael Novakhov for Re-Election Candidate's own words
- 6.Assembly Bill A5201 · New York State Assembly Official record
- 7.Assembly Bill A5214 - Not on our dollar!: Ending New York funding of Hamas violence act · New York State Assembly Official record
- 8.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly Official record
- 9.Saban for Brooklyn - Issues · Joey Cohen-Saban for Assembly Candidate's own words
- 10.Novakhov Attends Press Conference Calling out Majority’s Energy Plan · New York State Assembly · 2026-10-03 Official record
- 11.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Biography · New York State Assembly Official record
- 12.Michael Novakhov · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 13.New York State Assembly District 45 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 14.Steven Cymbrowitz · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 15.Joey Cohen-Saban · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 16.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly Official record
- 17.New York State Assembly District 45 results 2026 · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 18.Democrats sweep local races in southern Brooklyn · City & State News report
- 19.Where do key state legislative races stand · City & State News report
- 20.About Joey - Saban for Brooklyn · Joey Cohen-Saban for Assembly Candidate's own words
- 21.Joey Cohen-Saban · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 22.Saban for Brooklyn - Home · Joey Cohen-Saban for Assembly Candidate's own words
- 23.2026 New York State Assembly election · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 24.Democrats sweep local races in southern Brooklyn · City & State News report
- 25.Where do key state legislative races stand · City & State News report