This Week in Albany – November 6, 2026

1. Election Results

The 2026 General Election was a tremendous success for CSEA, with more than 90% of CSEA-endorsed candidates winning their races. 

Federal 

Nationally, Democrats won control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, shifting the balance of power in Washington after two years of Republican control. In New York’s congressional races, nearly all CSEA-endorsed candidates were successful, including Cait Conley, who won the 17th Congressional District in the lower Hudson Valley. Our only congressional loss came in the 21st District, where Blake Gendebien narrowly lost to Anthony Constantino.

With Democrats winning control of both houses of Congress, New York is poised to gain significant influence in Washington, as Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer are in line to become Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader, respectively. Current Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has said he will not seek the House Minority Leader position.

State

In statewide elections, CSEA-endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and Attorney General Tish James all won reelection by margins of at least 20 percentage points.

In the New York State Senate, Democrats won 47 of 63 seats, securing a supermajority. Key victories for CSEA-endorsed candidates include the reelection of Toby Ann Stavisky (D) in SD 11, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D) in SD 23, and Chris Ryan (D) in SD 50, as well as the election of Joe Rand (D) in SD 38. CSEA-endorsed candidate Jake Ashby (R) in SD 43 is leading, though the race remains too close to call. CSEA-endorsed candidates Jim Tedisco (R) and Rob Rolison (R) were unsuccessful in their elections. 

In the State Assembly, Democrats will hold at least 110 of 150 seats. Key victories for CSEA-endorsed candidates include Rebecca Kassay (D) in Suffolk County, Pesach Osina (D) in Queens, and Frank Jereis (D) in the Hudson Valley. Several CSEA-endorsed Assembly Republicans were defeated. Other key seats are still awaiting final counts of outstanding ballots.

Local

For the first time, many local elections were held alongside state and federal races following New York’s move to even-year local elections. Results were mixed across the state, with several important victories for CSEA-endorsed candidates.

Region 1: CSEA-endorsed Dan Losquadro (R) won the Suffolk County Comptroller race, and Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore (D) was reelected. CSEA-endorsed Republicans were successful in North Hempstead and Oyster Bay. However, Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti (R) and Riverhead Supervisor candidate Ken Rothwell (R) lost. Two Nassau County races, including CSEA-endorsed incumbent Scott Strauss’s (R) legislative race and Town Clerk Kate Murray’s (R) race, remain undecided.

Region 3: Democrats maintained or expanded their majorities in several Hudson Valley county legislatures. In New Paltz, voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed village-town consolidation that raised concerns for CSEA-represented village employees. CSEA-endorsed candidates for Putnam County Executive and Clarkstown offices were unsuccessful, while the Westchester County Legislative District 15 race remains too close to call.

Region 4: Brent Davison (R) won the Clinton County Sheriff race, Erin Cassady-Dorian (D) was reelected Niskayuna Town Supervisor, and former CSEA member Martin O’Connor (D) won a seat on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.

Region 5: CSEA-endorsed candidates won 15 of 17 Onondaga County legislative races, helping Democrats secure a 14–3 majority. Voters also approved a CSEA-supported referendum establishing term limits for the County Executive and Comptroller. Results were less favorable in Oswego and Otsego counties, where several CSEA-endorsed candidates were defeated.

Region 6: Former CSEA Labor Relations Specialist Steve Meyers (D) won the race for Erie County Clerk.

These victories would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of CSEA members and retirees across New York State. Throughout the election cycle, members and retirees made thousands of phone calls, held thousands of one-on-one conversations, and sent more than 8,000 postcards encouraging fellow CSEA members to vote. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and helped make this election a success for CSEA and the members we represent.

2. CSEA Legislative Toolkit

We’re encouraging members to get the word out about our legislative successes. Click the icons below for informational documents that you can print, share, and post on social media to spread the news. A summary of the FY 2027 New York State Budget is available, here.