Josh Taveras

Josh Taveras is the Democratic candidate for New York State Senate District 8 in the November 3, 2026 general election, an open seat with no incumbent.[1][3] A store manager and Stony Brook University graduate, he said in a Ballotpedia survey that he is a lifelong Long Islander running on affordability, community and what he called pragmatic progressive leadership.[1][2]

Josh Taveras was born in Bay Shore, New York, and graduated from Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School before earning a bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University in 2024.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as a first-generation Dominican American who grew up in Copiague in a working-class family, and said he earned a political science degree after working through retail management, public service and higher education.[2]

Taveras also sought the Democratic nomination for New York's 2nd Congressional District but did not appear on the June 23, 2026 primary ballot.[1] In his Ballotpedia survey for the State Senate race, he listed three key messages: affordability, progressive values paired with responsible governance, and a campaign focused on listening to constituents.[2] He named affordability and economic security, housing stability, healthcare access, education equity, workers' rights, climate resilience and civil rights as the policy areas he focuses on.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.