NY State Assembly · District 45
Michael Novakhov
Member, NY State Assembly (since January 2023)RCINCUMBENT
- Race
- NY State Assembly · District 45
- Result
- Joey Cohen-Saban, projected winner
- Opponent
- Joey Cohen-Saban (D, Fight Anti-Semitism Party)
- Research
- In depth
Party line25 votes tracked
Broke with Republicans on
- Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. Lawrence voted no
- Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-Hudson voted no
- Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel tax voted no
- Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of Oneonta voted no
- and 8 more below
With party = voted the same way as most Republicans who voted.
Said vs. did4 statements · 25 votes
I am committed to expanding school choice options, including charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling, to provide families with the flexibility they need to navigate the educational journey of their children.
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotNY State Assembly · 45
2026-11-03
| Michael Novakhov RC | incumbent |
| Joey Cohen-Saban DFight Anti-Semitism 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.
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.
Documented position[7]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
I am committed to expanding school choice options, including charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling, to provide families with the flexibility they need to navigate the educational journey of their children.
Says he is committed to expanding school-choice options, including charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling.[8]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
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.
Documented position[8]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
we need an overhaul of the green energy mandates pushed by Albany Majority lawmakers and a balanced, all-of-the-above approach to energy policy
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.[9]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Michael "Misha" Novakhov is the Republican and Conservative Party member of the New York State Assembly from District 45, which covers portions of Sheepshead Bay, Midwood, Manhattan Beach, Gravesend, and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, and lost re-election on November 3, 2026 to Joey Cohen-Saban. Originally from the former USSR, he worked in radio and co-founded the Russian-language station Freedom FM before winning the seat in November 2022 by defeating Democratic incumbent Steven Cymbrowitz. His official biography says he planned to focus on crime, affordability of health care and housing, and quality of life.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Novakhov is originally from the former USSR, and his official biography says he immigrated to the United States with his family; Ballotpedia lists him as born in the USSR and living in Brooklyn.[1][2] He worked for 20 years in the radio business, and in 2019 he co-founded Freedom FM, which his official biography describes as the most listened-to Russian-language radio station in the country.[1]
Novakhov won the Assembly seat on November 8, 2022, defeating Democratic incumbent Steven Cymbrowitz, 59.7% to 40.2%, and took office January 1, 2023.[2][1][10] He was re-elected in November 2024 over Democrat Joey Cohen-Saban, 15,383 votes (50.2%) to 15,151 (49.4%), a margin of 232 votes.[11] The Assembly website lists his committee assignments as Aging; Children and Families; Cities; Governmental Operations; Housing; and Small Business.[12] His official biography says he planned to work on rising crime, especially against Asian American Pacific Islander and Jewish communities, on making health care and housing more affordable, and on quality of life, and it describes Brooklyn as his hometown.[1] He lost to Joey Cohen-Saban, according to unofficial results reported by Wikipedia and City & State.[4][5][6]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | Against partyvoted no | 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 no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 no | 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 no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 25 votes.
All 25 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | Against partyvoted no | 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 no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 no | 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 no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 | Against 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 no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 | Against partyvoted no | 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 no | 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 | Against 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 no | 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. |
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.
- bill2025-02-12 · Prime sponsor of a bill (A5201) to repeal New York City's congestion pricing law and create an MTA committee to survey infrastructure and ADA-compliance needs; introduced February 2025, referred to the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee.[7]
- bill2025-02-12 · Sponsor of the 'Not on our dollar!: Ending New York funding of Hamas violence act' (A5214), which would bar not-for-profit corporations from unauthorized support of Hamas and other groups that fund Middle East terrorism, with civil penalties and a private right of action; held in the Ways and Means Committee as of the 2025-2026 session.[13]
- actionSponsor of a resolution (K.58) commemorating the Holocaust.[8]
- billSponsor of legislation (A3694-A) mandating measures at colleges and universities to deter and combat hate crimes on campus.[8]
- actionServes on the Assembly Aging, Children and Families, Cities, Governmental Operations, Housing, and Small Business Committees for the 2025-2026 session.[14]
In their own words
Priorities
- "Michael has proudly served his community as Assemblymember for the 45th District since 2023... [and has] put forward and co-sponsored over 200 pieces of legislation that will significantly improve our quality of life."[15]
- Public safety: says he is combatting rising crime, particularly hate crimes targeting the AAPI and Jewish communities, and opposes New York's bail-reform laws.[16][8]
- Affordability: says he wants to make health care and housing more affordable for constituents.[16]
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/michael-novakhov
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 26 of 110 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (11), Climate & energy (6), Rights & public safety (5)
Enacts the responsible data center development act
What it does: Places 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; prov…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 93–3, Republicans 10–35
Jun 4, 2026Official record ↗
Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers
What it does: Relates 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 agreement…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 94–1, Republicans 6–38
Jun 4, 2026Official record ↗
Enacts the "freedom to read act"
What it does: Requires each board of education to adopt a written policy for reconsideration of school library materials and make such policy available on its website; requires such policies to include provisions for the creation o…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 92–4, Republicans 22–23
Jun 4, 2026Official record ↗
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
- No
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 ↗
- No
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 ↗
- No
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–53 · Yes 83–No 53 · Democrats 83–9, Republicans 0–44
Apr 28, 2026Official record ↗
- No
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–61 · Yes 83–No 61 · Democrats 83–17, Republicans 0–44
Mar 31, 2026Official record ↗
- No
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.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Biography · New York State Assembly Official record
- 2.Michael Novakhov · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 3.New York State Assembly District 45 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 4.New York State Assembly District 45 results 2026 · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 5.Democrats sweep local races in southern Brooklyn · City & State News report
- 6.Where do key state legislative races stand · City & State News report
- 7.Assembly Bill A5201 · New York State Assembly Official record
- 8.Michael for Assembly - Policy Priorities · Michael Novakhov for Re-Election Candidate's own words
- 9.Novakhov Attends Press Conference Calling out Majority’s Energy Plan · New York State Assembly · 2026-10-03 Official record
- 10.Steven Cymbrowitz · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 11.Joey Cohen-Saban · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 12.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly Official record
- 13.Assembly Bill A5214 - Not on our dollar!: Ending New York funding of Hamas violence act · New York State Assembly Official record
- 14.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly Official record
- 15.Michael for Assembly - Home · Michael Novakhov for Re-Election Candidate's own words
- 16.Assemblymember Michael Novakhov - Biography · New York State Assembly Official record