David Siffert
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary; running unopposed in the general election.
David Siffert is a civil rights attorney and NYU adjunct law professor running unopposed for this open seat, focused on housing affordability, AI regulation, and defending immigrants and civil rights against federal enforcement.[2]
Positions on the issues
- MixedLoosen zoning rules to build more housing
Wants New York to directly build deeply affordable and social housing rather than rely primarily on subsidizing private developers, funded partly by a tax on vacant/warehoused units; does not call generally for loosening zoning to increase market-rate supply.[2]
“Instead of handouts to developers, New York must invest in deeply affordable housing, create a Social Housing Development Authority, and fund expanded housing vouchers, paid for by a tax on vacant and warehoused units.”
- SupportsStronger rent regulation and tenant protections
Supports right-to-counsel for tenants facing eviction and broader tenant protections as part of addressing the housing crisis.[2]
“We must provide right-to-counsel to anyone facing eviction.”
- OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportations
Opposes cooperation between New York government and federal immigration enforcement; supports making New York a sanctuary state and banning ICE from state/municipal property.[2]
“We must make New York a sanctuary state, ban ICE from state and municipal property, and allow New Yorkers to sue when ICE breaks the law.”
In their words — priorities
- Making housing more affordable through a state Social Housing Development Authority, expanded housing vouchers, and a tax on vacant and warehoused units rather than developer subsidies.[2]
- Protecting immigrants, including making New York a sanctuary state, banning ICE from state and municipal property, and allowing New Yorkers to sue when ICE breaks the law.[2]
- Regulating artificial intelligence, citing risks to privacy, civil rights, the environment, education and jobs; says he has already drafted relevant bills.[2]
Background
- Earned a high school diploma from Horace Mann School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago (2006) and a law degree from NYU School of Law (2009).[2]
- Career experience includes working as a civil rights attorney; former Legal Director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project.[2]
- Teaches a State Legislative Externship at NYU Law School, pairing law students with sitting legislators to draft bills; says he has helped write more than 100 bills.[2]
- Is raising a toddler in Assembly District 66; describes himself as non-binary and would be the first openly non-binary person elected to office in New York State history.[2]