NY State Senate · District 23

Most of the North and East Shores of Staten Island, plus parts of southern Brooklyn.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED

Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, projected winner

Candidate	Votes	Share
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton	39,701	64.3%
Ruslan Shamal	21,890	35.5%

As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. Ballotpedia ↗Wikipedia ↗

Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research

Incumbent Jessica Scarcella-Spanton defeated Omar Mohamad in the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary, 72.8% to 26.8% (6,603 to 2,429 votes).[1]
Ruslan Shamal advanced from the Republican and Conservative Party lines without a primary contest.[1]

On the November 3 ballot · 2 candidates

Jessica Scarcella-SpantonDAffordable & Safe PartyINCUMBENTPROJECTED WINNERNY State Senator, District 23 (since January 2023)Full profile →Ruslan ShamalRCFull profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Loosen zoning rules to build more housing

Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
—
Ruslan Shamal
Opposes[8]
Campaign issues page calls policies like City of Yes top-down mandates that override neighborhood input and increase density without infrastructure, and lists preserving local decision-making and protecting one- and two-family homes among his votes.

Raise taxes on high earners or corporations

Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
—
Ruslan Shamal
In their own words[8]
“Stop tax hikes and hidden fees that drive up the cost of living”
On his campaign issues page, under "How I will vote in Albany"

Increase police funding and staffing

Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
—
Ruslan Shamal
Supports[8]
Campaign issues page says his Senate votes would support the NYPD with resources and recruitment.

Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)

Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
—
Ruslan Shamal
Supports[7]
Campaign homepage lists backing school choice among his education positions.

ISSUE	Jessica Scarcella-Spanton DAffordable & Safe Party	Ruslan Shamal RC
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing	—	Opposes[8] Campaign issues page calls policies like City of Yes top-down mandates that override neighborhood input and increase density without infrastructure, and lists preserving local decision-making and protecting one- and two-family homes among his votes.
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations	—	In their own words[8] “Stop tax hikes and hidden fees that drive up the cost of living” On his campaign issues page, under "How I will vote in Albany"
Increase police funding and staffing	—	Supports[8] Campaign issues page says his Senate votes would support the NYPD with resources and recruitment.
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)	—	Supports[7] Campaign homepage lists backing school choice among his education positions.

Research notes & limits

Ruslan Shamal has not completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey and has no campaign website found; research is limited to one feature article and his 2023 City Council run, so his entry is marked basic depth rather than full. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton's Senate biography does not name her school or degree.

Sources · 17

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

1.Jessica Scarcella-Spanton · Ballotpedia Reference
2.About Jessica Scarcella-Spanton · NYSenate.gov Official record
3.He Escaped Belarus. Now, Radio Host Is Running for Office on Staten Island to Fight Socialism · Bytes Europe · 2026-09 News report
4.NYC promises future Staten Island 2-K seats but offers little clarity on initial exclusion · NYSenate.gov (reprint) News report
5.Senate Bill S10515, the Wireless Security Enforcement (WiSE) Act · NYSenate.gov · 2026-05-15 Official record
6.Senate Bill S10151-A, hazardous substance exposure registry · NYSenate.gov · 2026-06-01 Official record
7.Ruslan Shamal for New York State Senate · Shamal campaign website Candidate's own words
8.Issues · Shamal campaign website Candidate's own words
9.Jessica Scarcella-Spanton · Ballotpedia Reference
10.About Jessica Scarcella-Spanton · NYSenate.gov Official record
11.New York State Senate District 23 election results 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
12.New York State Senate election results 2026 · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
13.Ruslan Shamal · Ballotpedia Reference
14.He Escaped Belarus. Now, Radio Host Is Running for Office on Staten Island to Fight Socialism · Bytes Europe · 2026-09 News report
15.Ruslan Shamal for NYS Senate · Ruslan Shamal for NYS Senate (campaign website) · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
16.NY State Senate · District 23 results 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
17.NY State Senate · District 23 results 2026 · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference