Eli Northrup
Eli Northrup is a public defender and policy director at the Bronx Defenders who won the June 2026 Democratic primary for the open Assembly District 69 seat. He previously ran for the same seat in 2024 before withdrawing from that general election.[1][2]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsRaise the minimum wage
Supports raising the state minimum wage to $30/hour by 2030 and ending the tipped minimum wage.[3]
“$30/hour by 2030: Eli will fight for a minimum wage of $30/hour by 2030.”
- SupportsExpand public health coverage
Supports the New York Health Act to establish a universal single-payer health care system covering all New Yorkers.[3]
“Eli will champion the New York Health Act to establish a universal single-payer system. Doing so would cover all New Yorkers and expand coverage to include dental, mental health, reproductive care, and more.”
- SupportsStronger rent regulation and tenant protections
Supports the strongest version of Good Cause Eviction, closing loopholes, and a statewide right to counsel in eviction proceedings.[3]
“New York State must enact the strongest possible version of Good Cause Eviction. Loopholes like the LLC Loophole or exclusions for small buildings must be closed.”
- SupportsUniversal, publicly funded child care
Supports the Universal Child Care Act to guarantee every family access to early childcare.[3]
“Eli will champion the Universal Child Care Act to ensure that every family has access to early childcare.”
- SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporations
Supports the Invest in Our New York package to raise taxes on corporations and the wealthiest 1% to fund affordability programs.[3]
“Eli will support the Invest in Our New York package, which will raise taxes on corporations and the wealthiest 1% in order to pay for the affordability agenda.”
- OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportations
Opposes state and local cooperation with ICE, says ICE should be abolished, and supports the New York for All Act and a statewide right to counsel in immigration proceedings.[3]
“In the meantime, New York must stand strong against ICE and Border Patrol 'missions' that terrorize communities and tear families apart... New York for All: Eli will champion this legislation that cements New York's status as a sanctuary state.”
- SupportsKeep congestion pricing in Manhattan
Supports keeping Manhattan's congestion pricing program, citing evidence it reduces traffic and raises MTA funding.[3]
“Congestion Pricing: Eli will be a staunch defender of New York City's congestion pricing program.”
- SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuels
Opposes weakening the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), supports a cap-and-invest program, and opposes new fossil-fuel infrastructure.[3]
“Defending the CLCPA: Eli will strongly oppose any efforts to weaken, delay, or roll back the CLCPA... Opposing New Fossil Fuels: Eli will fight against new fossil fuel infrastructure of any kind.”
In their words — priorities
- "My vision extends from criminal legal reform to critical issues such as affordable housing, accessible mental health care, and universal child care. I will fight to protect our environment, community gathering spaces, and to ensure that older New Yorkers can stay in their homes and have access to the services that they need."[2]
- On affordability: "Affordability is the defining issue facing New York... As your Assemblymember, Eli will be a champion for working New Yorkers in Albany, fighting to advance a bold affordability agenda that delivers real relief to families, seniors, and young people."[3]
- On criminal justice: "Having represented people in criminal court for more than a decade, Eli has seen firsthand the deep inequities baked into our system... We can build safer communities while advancing justice, but only if we commit to policies rooted in care, accountability, and shared responsibility for one another."[3]
Background
- Northrup was born in Washington, D.C. and earned a B.A. in psychology from Cornell University (2007) and a J.D. from New York University School of Law (2011); he also has a background with Georgetown University Law Center as a clinical fellow.[2]
- He has worked for more than a decade as a public defender in Bronx criminal court and is Policy Director for the Criminal Defense Practice at the Bronx Defenders.[2]
- He was a founding member and architect of the "Communities Not Cages" campaign to change New York's sentencing laws, and helped launch the Bronx Cannabis Hub, which assists people affected by past drug-law enforcement in obtaining cannabis licenses.[2][3]
- Earlier in his career he clerked for federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and worked with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, and the Legal Aid Society.[2]
- He ran for the same Assembly seat in 2024 but withdrew from that year's general election.[2]