NY State Senate · District 34
Nathalia Fernandez
New York State Senator, District 34 (since January 2023)DWFPINCUMBENT
- Race
- NY State Senate · District 34
- Result
- Nathalia Fernandez, projected winner
- Opponent
- Adrian Romero (C)
- Research
- In depth
Party line25 votes tracked
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did0 statements · 25 votes
Nathalia Fernandez is a Democratic and Working Families Party New York State Senator for District 34, which covers the east Bronx and part of southern Westchester County, and won re-election on November 3, 2026. A former legislative aide and staff member in the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo, she won a 2018 special election to the State Assembly, represented Assembly District 80 until 2023, and has been a state senator since January 2023. She chairs the Senate Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Committee.[1][2][3][4][5]
On the ballotNY State Senate · 34
2026-11-03
| Nathalia Fernandez DWFP | incumbent |
| Adrian Romero C | challenger |
Biography
Nathalia Fernandez is a Democratic and Working Families Party New York State Senator for District 34, which covers the east Bronx and part of southern Westchester County, and won re-election on November 3, 2026. A former legislative aide and staff member in the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo, she won a 2018 special election to the State Assembly, represented Assembly District 80 until 2023, and has been a state senator since January 2023. She chairs the Senate Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders Committee.[1][2][3][4][5]
Fernandez was born in 1988, according to Wikipedia, to a father who immigrated from Cuba and a mother who immigrated from Colombia; she grew up in Rockland and then Westchester County and graduated from North Salem High School. In her 2022 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey she describes herself as a daughter of immigrants whose father started and ran a small business.[6][7] She earned a B.A. in public relations from Hofstra University in 2010.[1] Before running for office, she worked as an administrative assistant at Genesis Realty Group and as an executive coordinator and chief of staff to Assemblymember Mark Gjonaj.[1]
Fernandez served as a Bronx regional representative in the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo; Wikipedia dates her start in that role to 2017.[1][6] She won an April 24, 2018 special election for the 80th Assembly District, the seat vacated by Gjonaj after he won a New York City Council seat, defeating Republican Gene DeFrancis. She was re-elected in 2018 and 2020 and represented the district until moving to the State Senate.[1] In 2022 she said she co-chaired the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus's Subcommittee on Minority and Women-Owned Enterprise & Economic Development and had passed the Andrew Kearse Act, which requires that people in police custody be given medical attention if needed.[3]
Fernandez took office in the State Senate on January 1, 2023, succeeding Alessandra Biaggi, and the nysenate.gov biography describes her as the first Latina to represent the 34th Senate District.[1][2] She co-chairs the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction and Overdose Prevention, and her other committee assignments include Agriculture, Cannabis, Insurance, Labor, Mental Health, Rules and Transportation.[2] A 2022 Bronx Times profile listed her residence as Morris Park.[3] She won the November 3, 2026 general election with 86.5% of the vote to Adrian Romero's 13.2%, according to unofficial results reported by Ballotpedia.[4][5]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to information that residential health care facilities are required to disclose to residents and their familiesA10312-A · Passed Senate 39–21 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 1–21 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts the "police radio transparency act"A11199-A · Passed Senate 37–23 · official record ↗Democrats 36–1 · Republicans 0–22 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to license fees required to be paid by wholesale beer licensees to sell ciderA11437 · Passed Senate 47–13 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 9–13 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts the responsible data center development actA11560 · Passed Senate 43–17 · official record ↗Democrats 36–1 · Republicans 6–16 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Requires the division of criminal justice services to study the technological viability of personalized firearmsA1191-B · Passed Senate 40–20 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 2–20 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Promotes consumer choice by requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide retail sellers with a one through ten repair score that will be displayed to consumers at point of saleA3058-C · Passed Senate 39–21 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 1–21 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to the taxation of vapor productsA4619-B · Passed Senate 52–8 · official record ↗Democrats 32–5 · Republicans 19–3 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to training for school security guardsA5079-E · Passed Senate 52–8 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 14–8 |
Showing the 8 most recent of 25 votes.
All 25 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to information that residential health care facilities are required to disclose to residents and their familiesA10312-A · Passed Senate 39–21 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 1–21Relates to information that residential health care facilities are required to separately disclose to residents and their families; requires such information to be posted on the residential health care facility's website. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts the "police radio transparency act"A11199-A · Passed Senate 37–23 · official record ↗Democrats 36–1 · Republicans 0–22Requires that any law enforcement agency in the state that encrypts any portion of its radio communications shall ensure that all of its radio communications, with the exception of sensitive information, may be monitored in real time by professional journalists, newscasters, and individuals employed by emergency services organizations. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to license fees required to be paid by wholesale beer licensees to sell ciderA11437 · Passed Senate 47–13 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 9–13Requires wholesale beer licensees to only need to pay a one time additional license fee to sell cider. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts the responsible data center development actA11560 · Passed Senate 43–17 · official record ↗Democrats 36–1 · Republicans 6–16Places 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 | With partyvoted yes | Requires the division of criminal justice services to study the technological viability of personalized firearmsA1191-B · Passed Senate 40–20 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 2–20Enacts the "safer weapons, safer homes act"; requires the division of criminal justice services to study the technological viability of personalized firearms; defines personalized firearms; requires the division to report to the governor and the legislature on the results of the study. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Promotes consumer choice by requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide retail sellers with a one through ten repair score that will be displayed to consumers at point of saleA3058-C · Passed Senate 39–21 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 1–21Promotes consumer choice by requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide retail sellers with a repair score that will be displayed to consumers at point of sale. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to the taxation of vapor productsA4619-B · Passed Senate 52–8 · official record ↗Democrats 32–5 · Republicans 19–3Relates 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 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to training for school security guardsA5079-E · Passed Senate 52–8 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 14–8Enacts the "school security guard training enhancement act"; provides that annual training where a security guard is employed or contracted by a school in this state shall require the completion of school specific-training. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to the municipal sustainable energy loan programA5404-C · Passed Senate 47–13 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 9–13Relates to the municipal sustainable energy loan program regarding qualifying water improvements, qualifying resiliency improvements and, in a city with a population of one million or more, the use of low carbon intensity building components. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to the contents of emergency response plans required to be submitted to the public service commission by electric corporationsA6285 · Passed Senate 53–7 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 15–7Relates to the contents of emergency response plans required to be submitted to the public service commission by electric corporations; requires such plans to include details of staffing, equipment, and ability to perform toward certain standards; requires the public service commission to establish a time-based restoration schedule. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes the artificial intelligence training data transparency actA6578-B · Passed Senate 54–6 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 16–6Establishes the artificial intelligence training data transparency act requiring developers of generative artificial intelligence models or services to post on the developer's website information regarding the data used by the developer to train the generative artificial intelligence model or service, including a high-level summary of the datasets used in the development of such system or service. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts "the construction reporting pay act"A6950 · Passed Senate 50–10 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 12–10Enacts "the construction reporting pay act"; provides that each laborer, worker or mechanic in the employ of a contractor who by request or permission of an employer reports for work on any day shall be paid no less than four hours at the prevailing rate of wages. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Permits funds collected from the Oswego county occupancy tax to be used on making tourism related capital improvementsA8143-A · Passed Senate 55–5 · official record ↗Democrats 34–3 · Republicans 20–2Permits funds collected from the Oswego county occupancy tax to be used on making tourism related capital improvements; removes such tax on permanent residents. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Designates dog control officers of the village of Holley, named by the village board as constables, as peace officersA8235 · Passed Senate 47–13 · official record ↗Democrats 24–13 · Republicans 22–0Designates dog control officers of the village of Holley, named by the village board as constables, as peace officers. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Provides liability protections for health care providers who issue vaccinesA9140 · Passed Senate 42–18 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 4–18Provides liability protections for health care providers who issue vaccines so long as such vaccination does not arise out of willful misconduct or gross negligence. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Prohibits the use of surveillance pricingA9349-B · Passed Senate 39–21 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 1–21Prohibits the use of surveillance pricing, directly or indirectly; prohibits the collection, use, retention, or sharing of data to facilitate surveillance pricing; provides exceptions; provides for enforcement by the attorney general; makes related provisions. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence useA9581-B · Passed Senate 38–22 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 0–22Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use for the previous year; requires the department of labor to file an annual report on the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use in the state; establishes penalties for covered business that fail to submit such reports. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amends a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for additional grants in aid for certain educational and not-for-profit institutionsR2343 · Passed Senate 49–11 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 11–11 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amends a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2023-2024 fiscal year for services and expenses of human services and veterans community services organizationsR2344 · Passed Senate 51–9 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 13–9 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amends a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for additional grants in aid certain educational and not-for-profit institutionsR2345 · Passed Senate 49–11 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 11–11 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amends a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for certain appropriations for services and expenses of economic development and community services organizationsR2346 · Passed Senate 50–10 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 12–10 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amends a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for aid for services and expenses of human services and veterans community services organizationsR2347 · Passed Senate 52–8 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 14–8 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amending a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year for community adult and youth mental health programs and servicesR2348 · Passed Senate 50–10 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 12–10 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amends a plan establishing itemized list of grantees for 2025-2026 providing community safety and restorative justice programsR2349 · Passed Senate 50–10 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 12–10 |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Amends a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for additional grants in aid for services and expenses of senate priorities for housing initiativesR2350 · Passed Senate 50–10 · official record ↗Democrats 37–0 · Republicans 12–10 |
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.
- bill2026-08-14 · Sponsored S10156-B, establishing a school speed-zone camera demonstration program in the Village of Pelham; signed by the Governor August 14, 2026 (Chapter 216).[8]
- bill2026-06-04 · Sponsored S10632, which would prohibit a victim's voluntary intoxication from being used as a defense to a sex-crime charge; passed the Senate 60–0 on June 4, 2026 and remained in the Assembly Codes Committee.[9]
- billSponsored S10149, which would remove preauthorization requirements for outpatient substance use disorder treatment coverage; in Senate Insurance Committee as of April 30, 2026.[10]
In their own words
Priorities
- "I want to build resiliency for our coastal communities, increase transit access, funding for our schools and bring good paying jobs to uplift our local economy."[11]
- "Climate change is a constant concern for this area. Our coastal communities are threatened and our roads and transit systems often flood. We need to build long term resilience for this district through investing in infrastructure that stays strong against climate change and providing homeowners with assistance to protect their property."[11]
- "The East Bronx is a transportation desert... I want to make that a reality. We need transit access to connect our communities and continue to build economic growth for the area."[11]
- "I have a history of championing small businesses... I will do this through addressing the high property taxes that are getting in the way of their growth and honor the diversity of this district through uplifting minority and women owned businesses."[11]
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/nathalia-fernandez
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 2 of 681 party-divided votes on file.
Enacts the "open shelves act"
What it does: Ensures that library staff of free association, public, and hospital libraries, and with certain advice, Indian libraries, are able to develop collections, services, and programming that reflect the values and protect…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 36–1, Republicans 5–16
Jun 12, 2025Official record ↗
Relates to succession rights for tenants of New York city housing authority properties
What it does: Relates to succession rights for tenants of New York city housing authority properties.
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 36–1, Republicans 8–13
Jun 12, 2025Official record ↗
Their votes on the most contested roll calls
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
- Yes
Requires cultural awareness and competence training for medical professionals
With most of their party · Passed Senate 34–24 · Yes 34–No 24 · Democrats 33–2, Republicans 0–22
Jun 4, 2025Official record ↗
- Yes
Relates to the closure of nursing homes
With most of their party · Passed Senate 32–20 · Yes 32–No 20 · Democrats 32–0, Republicans 0–20
May 15, 2025Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Senate 35–23 · Yes 35–No 23 · Democrats 34–1, Republicans 0–22
Jun 4, 2025Official record ↗
- Yes
Relates to commissaries and canteens at correctional institutions
With most of their party · Passed Senate 36–22 · Yes 36–No 22 · Democrats 35–0, Republicans 0–22
May 29, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Senate 36–22 · Yes 36–No 22 · Democrats 35–0, Republicans 0–22
May 29, 2026Official record ↗
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Nathalia Fernandez · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.About Nathalia Fernandez · NYSenate.gov Official record
- 3.State Senate District 34 candidate profile: Nathalia Fernandez (Bronx Times, 2022) · Bronx Times News report
- 4.NY State Senate District 34 election 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 5.2026 New York State Senate election · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 6.Nathalia Fernandez (Wikipedia) · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 7.Nathalia Fernandez — Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2022) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2022-01-01 Candidate's own words
- 8.S10156-B: school speed zone camera demonstration program, Village of Pelham · New York State Senate · 2026-08-14 Official record
- 9.S10632: intoxication of victim as defense to sex crimes · New York State Senate · 2026-06-04 Official record
- 10.S10149: substance use disorder treatment coverage preauthorization · New York State Senate · 2026-04-30 Official record
- 11.Nathalia Fernandez — Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2022) · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2022-01-01 Candidate's own words