NY State Assembly · District 45
Joey Cohen-Saban
CandidateDFight Anti-Semitism Party
- Race
- NY State Assembly · District 45
- Result
- Joey Cohen-Saban, projected winner
- Opponent
- Michael Novakhov (R, C)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did0 statements · 0 votes
Joey Cohen-Saban, the Democratic and Fight Anti-Semitism Party candidate, won the election for New York State Assembly District 45 on November 3, 2026, defeating Republican Assembly Member Michael Novakhov, and is set to take office when the new term begins. A Brooklyn native, he is a Brooklyn Democratic Party district leader and chief of staff to State Senator Sam Sutton, according to his campaign website. He lost to Novakhov by 232 votes in 2024 and had not held elected office before this race.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
On the ballotNY State Assembly · 45
2026-11-03
| Michael Novakhov RC | incumbent |
| Joey Cohen-Saban DFight Anti-Semitism Party | challenger |
Advanced from the canceled Democratic primary without appearing on the ballot; lost to Novakhov by about 230 votes in 2024
Biography
Joey Cohen-Saban, the Democratic and Fight Anti-Semitism Party candidate, won the election for New York State Assembly District 45 on November 3, 2026, defeating Republican Assembly Member Michael Novakhov, and is set to take office when the new term begins. A Brooklyn native, he is a Brooklyn Democratic Party district leader and chief of staff to State Senator Sam Sutton, according to his campaign website. He lost to Novakhov by 232 votes in 2024 and had not held elected office before this race.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
According to his campaign website, Cohen-Saban was born and raised in South Brooklyn, the son of immigrants, and grew up in Midwood and Gravesend.[4] He attended the Yeshivah of Flatbush and earned a degree from George Washington University, where he says he led campus campaigns on combating antisemitism, supporting survivors of sexual violence, interfaith collaboration, and the US-Israel relationship.[4]
Cohen-Saban serves as a Brooklyn Democratic Party district leader and as chief of staff to State Senator Sam Sutton, per his campaign website, and describes himself as a board member of the Sephardic Community Federation.[4][5] He ran for this Assembly seat in 2024 as the Democratic nominee and lost to Novakhov, 49.4% to 50.2%.[6] He lives on the block where he grew up with his wife Florence and their two children, according to his campaign website.[4] He defeated Republican Assembly Member Michael Novakhov in the November 3, 2026 general election with 62% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the city Board of Elections as reported by City & State.[2][3]
In their own words
Priorities
- Fighting antisemitism: "Antisemitic attacks in New York have surged to record levels. Joey Cohen-Saban will champion proactive legislation in Albany to protect all New Yorkers from rising antisemitism and hate crimes."[7]
- Education and yeshiva funding: will push to increase per-pupil funding, secure capital-improvement grants for aging school buildings, and ensure nonpublic schools including yeshivas get their fair share of state education dollars.[7]
- Neighborhood safety: supports strengthening ties between the community and local police precincts, more foot patrols, and community-policing initiatives.[7]
- Immigration and shelters: says migrant-shelter expansion has been handled irresponsibly and placed unfair burdens on residential neighborhoods, and that Albany should address current residents' housing, healthcare, and education needs before taking on new commitments.[7]
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Increase police funding and staffing
“He will advocate for increased foot patrols, better community policing initiatives, and resources to address quality-of-life crimes that erode neighborhood safety.”[7]
On his campaign website's issues page
- Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
“ensure that nonpublic schools receive their fair share of state education dollars.”[7]
On his campaign website's issues page
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/joey-cohen-saban
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Sources cited in this profile
- 1.2026 New York State Assembly election · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 2.Democrats sweep local races in southern Brooklyn · City & State News report
- 3.Where do key state legislative races stand · City & State News report
- 4.About Joey - Saban for Brooklyn · Joey Cohen-Saban for Assembly Candidate's own words
- 5.Saban for Brooklyn - Home · Joey Cohen-Saban for Assembly Candidate's own words
- 6.Joey Cohen-Saban · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 7.Saban for Brooklyn - Issues · Joey Cohen-Saban for Assembly Candidate's own words