NY State Senate · District 27
Grace Lee
New York State Assemblymember, District 65 (since 2023); not seeking re-election to the AssemblyDWFP
- Race
- NY State Senate · District 27
- Result
- Grace Lee, projected winner
- Opponent
- Jason Murillo (R, C)
- Research
- In depth
Party line25 votes tracked
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did8 statements · 25 votes
Grace Lee, the Democratic and Working Families Party nominee, is the Assemblymember for District 65 in Lower Manhattan, first elected in 2022, and won the November 3, 2026 election for the open New York State Senate District 27 seat, defeating Republican and Conservative Party nominee Jason Murillo; she is set to take office in the Senate when the new term begins. She previously co-founded a parent-led environmental coalition and a beauty products company. According to the Assembly, she is the first Korean American woman elected to the New York State Legislature and chairs the Assembly Asian Pacific American Task Force; she did not seek re-election to her Assembly seat.[1][2][3][4]
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotNY State Senate · 27
2026-11-03
| Grace Lee DWFP | challenger |
| Jason Murillo RC | challenger |
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
Campaign platform supports Good Cause Eviction protections against unreasonable rent increases and retaliatory evictions, and funding legal services for tenants facing harassment.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Platform calls for ending most state and local cooperation with ICE, banning contracts between local jails and ICE, and keeping ICE out of schools, hospitals, and places of worship; co-sponsors the New York for All Act.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Supports higher income-tax rates on the highest earners, a wealth tax on the richest households, closing corporate tax loopholes, and a surcharge on second homes valued at $5 million or more.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Co-sponsors the New York Health Act to establish a universal single-payer healthcare system and supports a state-funded essential plan for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Platform states she is fighting for statewide universal childcare access, citing past work securing billions in statewide childcare investment.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Platform supports a statewide clean fuel standard for transportation, expanding NYPA's renewable-power role, and requiring corporate emissions transparency.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Platform supports protecting the privacy of abortion providers and patients, backed the 2024 reproductive-freedom ballot measure, and says she helped secure $25 million for the state's Abortion Access Program.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Platform supports Manhattan congestion pricing while seeking an exemption for Lower and Midtown Manhattan residents earning under $60,000.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Grace Lee, the Democratic and Working Families Party nominee, is the Assemblymember for District 65 in Lower Manhattan, first elected in 2022, and won the November 3, 2026 election for the open New York State Senate District 27 seat, defeating Republican and Conservative Party nominee Jason Murillo; she is set to take office in the Senate when the new term begins. She previously co-founded a parent-led environmental coalition and a beauty products company. According to the Assembly, she is the first Korean American woman elected to the New York State Legislature and chairs the Assembly Asian Pacific American Task Force; she did not seek re-election to her Assembly seat.[1][2][3][4]
Grace Lee is the daughter of immigrants, according to her Assembly biography; she has lived in Lower Manhattan for about 15 years per her 2020 Ballotpedia survey, and lives there with her husband and three young daughters.[2][1] She earned a B.A. in economics and philosophy from Columbia University in 2002 and an M.B.A. in finance and entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2010.[1] In 2018, according to her 2020 survey, she was the New York events director for Swing Left, a group focused on flipping the U.S. House.[1]
Before running for office, Lee co-founded Children First, a parent-led coalition focused on mercury brownfield cleanup near the South Street Seaport, and co-founded Nine Naturals, a beauty products company.[1] She ran for Assembly District 65 in 2020 and lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Yuh-Line Niou.[1] In June 2022 she won the Democratic primary for the open Assembly District 65 seat, which includes the Financial District, Chinatown and the Lower East Side, and she won the November general election over Republican Helen Qiu, taking office in January 2023; she was re-elected in 2024 with 99.1% of the vote.[1][6]
In the Assembly, Lee serves on the Banks, Children and Families, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Environmental Conservation, and Insurance committees and chairs the Asian Pacific American Task Force.[2][7] According to her Assembly biography, she sponsored the Hate Crimes Modernization Act and led legislation making New York the first state to recognize Lunar New Year as a statewide school holiday.[2] On June 23, 2026, she defeated former Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou in the Democratic primary for Senate District 27, 62.5% to 37.3%.[1] Lee won the November 3, 2026 general election with 83.1% of the vote to Jason Murillo's 16.7%, according to unofficial results reported by Ballotpedia and Wikipedia.[3][4]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗ |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗ |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗ |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗ |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗ |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Requires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗ |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗ |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗ |
Showing the 8 most recent of 25 votes.
All 25 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. Lawrence from three to five percent. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗Provides for the use of restoration services when determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-Hudson; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Requires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗Requires certain elections take place in even-numbered years for certain municipal and judicial officials except in the city of New York. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel tax; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of Oneonta not to exceed 6%. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias programS6983-A · Passed Assembly 92–40 · official record ↗Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Authorizes the village of Atlantic Beach to impose a hotel, motel and beach club taxS7966-A · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Authorizes the village of Atlantic Beach, county of Nassau to impose a three percent hotel, motel and beach club tax; defines "beach club" as a facility formed, organized or operated by any person, firm or corporation, located on or contiguous to an ocean beach, permitting sunbathing, swimming and other allied recreation activities, including such uses operated by a hotel, cooperative complex or other entity; makes related provisions. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Provides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housingS8026-A · Passed Assembly 126–6 · official record ↗Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Authorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklandsS8852-C · Passed Assembly 123–8 · official record ↗Authorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklands in the town of Carmel for use as a cell tower for thirty years. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Authorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel taxS9027 · Passed Assembly 97–34 · official record ↗Authorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel tax not exceeding five percent of the per diem rental rate for each room. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of IthacaS9528-A · Passed Assembly 110–21 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Ithaca; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2030. |
| 2026-06-05 | No votevoted didn't vote | Authorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel taxS9862-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Authorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel tax at a rate of five percent. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Increases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk countyA11552 · Passed Assembly 117–24 · official record ↗Increases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk county; provides for the support of a not-for-profit organization that manages and owns the first lighthouse built in New York, a national register of historic places site in Suffolk county that has been named a national historic landmark and is a New York state historic site. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Enacts the responsible data center development actA11560 · Passed Assembly 103–38 · official record ↗Places a one year moratorium on the issuance of data center permits; requires utilities to establish an independent classification of service for large data centers; sets energy efficiency goals for data centers; provides for benefits for host communities; sets labor standards for the construction of data centers. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Enacts into law necessary legislation including extensions and technical correctionsA11561 · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part A); extends the duration of certain brownfield redevelopment and remediation tax credits with respect to a site located at 1800 Park Avenue (Part B); makes technical corrections relating to extending the term and authority of the independent monitor for the Orange county IDA (Part C); extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part D); makes technical corrections to section 11-3206 of the administrative code of the city of New York (Part E); provides for the temporary transfer of racing support payments (Part F). |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Relates to the taxation of vapor productsA4619-B · Passed Assembly 135–6 · official record ↗Relates to the taxation of vapor products; provides for the licensing of vapor products distributors; imposes certain tax return filing requirements on vapor products distributors; provides for enforcement powers. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of AmsterdamS10196-A · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Amsterdam; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of YonkersS10564 · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Yonkers; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklandS10611 · Passed Assembly 126–15 · official record ↗Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parkland and to lease such land to HESP Solar LLC for a term not to exceed twenty-five years. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Relates to judicial districtsS10626 · Passed Assembly 95–46 · official record ↗Provides that in the fourth judicial department, three new districts, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen are added; makes related provisions. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customersS1327-A · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility. |
| 2026-06-04 | No votevoted didn't vote | Provides remedies for disrupted electionsS4602-B · Passed Assembly 93–48 · official record ↗Provides remedies for disrupted voting times and locations during elections; directs that the BOE extend voting to account for the disruption. |
Albany votes: landmark laws since 2019, plus the 25 most recent 2025–26 roll calls where at least five members voted on the losing side, from the legislature’s official records. Party line is scored for 2025–26 votes only.
On the record
Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.
- billSponsored and helped pass the Hate Crimes Modernization Act, described by her office as the first update to New York's hate crimes statute in more than two decades.[8]
- billLed the legislative effort making New York the first state to designate Lunar New Year as a statewide school holiday.[8]
- billIntroduced the STOP Act, aimed at increasing institutional accountability following the conduct findings against former Governor Andrew Cuomo.[8]
- action2023 · Says she secured nearly $400 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding for NYCHA and Section 8 households in her first year in office (2023).[8]
- actionChairs the Assembly's Asian Pacific American Task Force and serves on the Banks, Children and Families, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Environmental Conservation, and Insurance committees in the 2025-2026 session.[9][8]
In their own words
Priorities
- Housing affordability: protect rent-stabilized tenants and expand emergency rental assistance, having secured nearly $400 million through ERAP for NYCHA and Section 8 residents.[5]
- Universal childcare and expanded pre-K, building on $2 billion in statewide childcare investments she says she helped secure ($350 million for NYC).[5]
- Limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (ICE), including barring ICE from schools, hospitals, and places of worship.[5]
- Raise taxes on the highest earners and close corporate tax loopholes, including support for a pied-a-terre tax on second homes valued at $5 million or more.[5]
- Expand access to healthcare, including co-sponsoring the New York Health Act to create a universal single-payer system and lowering prescription drug costs.[5]
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/grace-lee
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Grace Lee (New York) · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Assemblymember Grace Lee — official Assembly page · New York State Assembly Official record
- 3.New York State Senate District 27 election results 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 4.New York State Senate election results 2026 · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 5.Policy · Grace Lee for NY Senate (campaign site) Candidate's own words
- 6.Grace Lee - Assembly District 65 · New York State Assembly · 2026-10-19 Official record
- 7.Grace Lee — Committee Membership (NY State Assembly) · NY State Assembly Official record
- 8.Assemblymember Grace Lee — official Assembly page · New York State Assembly Official record
- 9.Grace Lee (New York) · Ballotpedia Reference