Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
DAffordable & Safe PartyINCUMBENTNY State Senator, District 23 (since January 2023)
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton is the Democratic incumbent state senator for District 23, covering Staten Island's North and East Shores and parts of southern Brooklyn. A Staten Island native who previously worked as a legislative and operations director in the state legislature, she chairs the Senate's Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee and is seeking a second full term.[1][3]
Floor votes in Albany
- YesAssesses a separate tax on distributions from designated settlement funds · S10585 · Passed Senate 39–21 · 2026-06-01 official record ↗Assesses a 100% tax on distributions from the federal anti-weaponization fund; provides that such tax shall not be reduced pursuant to any deduction, exemption or credit.
- 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 Senate 47–13 · 2026-06-01 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 winter road maintenance data collection and monitoring · S10094 · Passed Senate 44–16 · 2026-06-01 official record ↗Establishes a standardized statewide system for collecting, recording, and monitoring winter road maintenance operational data in order to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and support the protection of water resources in the state of New York; requires calibration of all deicing material application equipment used for winter highway maintenance on public roads.
- YesEstablishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) act · S9500-A · Passed Senate 39–21 · 2026-06-01 official record ↗Establishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) act; establishes the virtual power plant program to help reduce energy costs and grid reliability risks; provides incentives to participants for supporting the grid by investing in distributed energy resources and reducing net energy costs.
- YesRelates to placing restrictions on the sale of flare guns · S8455-B · Passed Senate 35–25 · 2026-06-01 official record ↗Establishes the crimes of criminal sale of a flare gun in the first and second degrees; sets restrictions on and requirements for the sale of flare guns.
- YesRequires certain construction project contracts to include siting of renewable energy systems, qualified energy storage systems, or electric major utility transmission facilities · S7898-A · Passed Senate 39–21 · 2026-06-01 official record ↗Requires certain construction project contracts with a value of greater than or equal to five million dollars to include siting of renewable energy systems, qualified energy storage systems, or major electric transmission facilities.
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
- bill2026-05-15 · Sponsored S10515, the "Wireless Security Enforcement (WiSE) Act," which would make manufacturing, importing, or selling wireless signal jammers a class D felony; in the Senate Internet and Technology Committee as of May 15, 2026, not yet passed by either chamber.[6]
- bill2026-06-01 · Sponsored S10151-A, which would direct the state veterans' services commissioner to establish a registry of service members, veterans, and family members who may have experienced hazardous substance exposure at military installations; amended and recommitted to the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee on June 1, 2026.[7]
- actionChairs the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee.[3]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuels
Voted yes on the Grid Reliability and Energy Affordability Transition (GREAT) Act, which creates a virtual power plant program aimed at reducing reliance on fossil-fuel "peaker" plants during peak demand.[8]
In their words — priorities
- Has pushed for Staten Island to be included in citywide pre-K ("2-K") expansion, arguing the borough's children were being excluded from a program other boroughs received.[5]
- Has made veterans' issues a focus of her legislative work, including sponsoring a registry for service members and veterans who may have been exposed to hazardous substances at military installations.[7]
Background
- Born and raised on Staten Island to two educators; moved to Colorado Springs in 2012 while her husband deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, then returned to Staten Island.[3]
- Began as an intern for the NYS Assembly in 2009 and rose to Legislative Director.[3]
- Served as Director of Operations for then-state Senator Diane Savino from 2017 to 2021, including work on the district's COVID-19 vaccine distribution and hospital-support advocacy.[1][3]
- Worked as Assistant Director of Government and Community Relations at the MTA before her election.[3]
- Chairs the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee; also sits on the Civil Service and Pensions, Cultural Affairs/Tourism/Parks/Recreation, Disabilities, and Labor committees.[3]