Emily Gallagher
Emily Gallagher is the Democratic incumbent running unopposed for re-election. First elected in 2020, she is a longtime Greenpoint community activist who has led first-in-the-nation legislation on building electrification and corporate-transparency issues, and serves on the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Election Law, Small Business, and Transportation committees.[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.
- Didn't voteConcealed 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.
- Yes2021–22 budget revenue bill · S2509 · Passed 88–61 · 2021-04-07 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.
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
- bill2023 · Led passage of the All-Electric Buildings Act in the 2023 legislative session, a first-in-the-nation law phasing out fossil-gas hookups in most new construction statewide.[3]
- bill2023 · Led passage of the LLC Transparency Act in the 2023 legislative session, requiring disclosure of the beneficial owners of limited liability companies that own New York real estate.[3]
- actionServes on the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Election Law, Small Business, and Transportation committees in the 2025-2026 session.[2]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuels
Says the state must expand and enforce the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and stop building new fossil-fuel pipelines; as a legislator she led passage of the All-Electric Buildings Act, a first-in-the-nation law phasing out fossil-gas hookups in new construction.[2][3]
“We must expand and enforce the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, fully fund the Department of Environmental Conversation, stop building new pipelines and dumping sewage in Newtown Creek, and bring a real Green New Deal to New York.”
- SupportsStronger rent regulation and tenant protections
Calls for passing universal rent control and says the state should stop incentivizing luxury development, framing housing as a core priority.[2]
“We need to pass universal rent control, bring massive new state investments in NYCHA, and stop incentivizing luxury development.”
- SupportsRaise the minimum wage
Says the state needs representatives who will stand up for a real living wage and workers' right to organize.[2]
“We need a representative who will stand up for a real living wage and the right to organize.”
- SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes
Voted yes on S2509 (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.[4]
In their words — priorities
- Passing universal rent control, expanding state investment in NYCHA, and reducing incentives for luxury development to address North Brooklyn's housing crisis.[2]
- Enforcing and expanding the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, fully funding the Department of Environmental Conservation, and opposing new gas pipelines and sewage discharge into Newtown Creek.[2]
- Expanding green, safe and reliable public transit and reducing car dominance on neighborhood streets.[2]
Background
- Born in Fairfax, Virginia; earned an undergraduate degree from Ithaca College in 2006 before moving to Brooklyn.[2]
- Worked in museum education and as a public historian, including at the Tenement Museum, and later as national Community Affairs Director for Hostelling International (HI USA), focused on sustainability and community engagement.[3]
- Was a longtime Greenpoint neighborhood activist, co-chairing the group Neighbors Allied for Good Growth from 2008 to 2015 and writing a weekly column for the local paper The Greenpoint Star starting in 2015.[3]
- Was the first new member to represent the 50th Assembly District in nearly half a century when first elected in 2020.[3]