Politics in the Empire State moves fast. One minute you're looking at a map, and the next, a special election or a redistricting battle has flipped the script. Honestly, keeping track of who are the New York representatives is a bit like trying to catch a subway train during rush hour—if you blink, you might miss your stop.
As we sit in early 2026, the landscape of New York's congressional delegation is a mix of heavy hitters who have been in D.C. since the 90s and a fresh crop of newcomers who just took their seats last year. You've got 26 people representing New York in the House, and of course, the two familiar faces in the Senate. But here’s the kicker: several of the biggest names have already signaled they aren't coming back after this term.
The Current Lineup: Who’s Holding the Gavel?
Right now, the delegation is majority Democrat, but the GOP has some serious strongholds, especially in the suburbs and upstate. If you live in New York City, your representative is almost certainly a Democrat. If you're out on the tip of Long Island or up near the Canadian border, it's a different story.
The Heavyweights
You can't talk about New York politics without mentioning Hakeem Jeffries. Representing the 8th District (parts of Brooklyn), he isn't just a representative; he's the leader of the House Democrats. Then there's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (District 14), who continues to be one of the most talked-about figures in national politics.
But seniority is shifting. Jerrold Nadler (District 12), a fixture in Manhattan politics for decades, announced he's retiring at the end of this term. It’s a huge deal. He’s been a cornerstone of the Judiciary Committee, and his departure opens up a massive power vacuum in the city.
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The Suburban Swing
Long Island has been a total battlefield lately. Nick LaLota (District 1) and Andrew Garbarino (District 2) are holding it down for the Republicans, while Tom Suozzi (District 3) made a high-profile return to Congress after that whole George Santos mess. Laura Gillen (District 4) is also a key player now, having flipped her seat back to blue in the last cycle.
Who Are the New York Representatives Right Now?
Here is a breakdown of the current House members as of January 2026. It’s a long list, so hang in there.
- District 1: Nick LaLota (R)
- District 2: Andrew Garbarino (R)
- District 3: Tom Suozzi (D)
- District 4: Laura Gillen (D)
- District 5: Gregory Meeks (D)
- District 6: Grace Meng (D)
- District 7: Nydia Velázquez (D) – Note: She’s also announced she won't seek re-election in 2026.
- District 8: Hakeem Jeffries (D)
- District 9: Yvette Clarke (D)
- District 10: Dan Goldman (D)
- District 11: Nicole Malliotakis (R)
- District 12: Jerry Nadler (D)
- District 13: Adriano Espaillat (D)
- District 14: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D)
- District 15: Ritchie Torres (D)
- District 16: George Latimer (D)
- District 17: Mike Lawler (R)
- District 18: Pat Ryan (D)
- District 19: Josh Riley (D)
- District 20: Paul Tonko (D)
- District 21: Elise Stefanik (R) – Update: Stefanik is also on the list of those not seeking re-election to this specific seat in 2026.
- District 22: John Mannion (D)
- District 23: Nick Langworthy (R)
- District 24: Claudia Tenney (R)
- District 25: Joe Morelle (D)
- District 26: Tim Kennedy (D)
What About the Senate?
While the House seats feel like they’re always in flux, the Senate side is much more stable. Chuck Schumer is still the Senate Majority Leader (or Minority Leader, depending on the week’s news cycle, but always the senior Senator). He’s been there since 1999. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine a Sunday morning talk show without him.
Kirsten Gillibrand is the junior Senator, though "junior" is a bit of a misnomer since she’s been in that seat since 2009. She just won re-election in 2024 by a pretty comfortable margin against Mike Sapraicone. She’s safe until 2030, while Schumer won't face the voters again until 2028.
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The Big Retirements: Why 2026 is a Turning Point
People are kinda freaking out about the 2026 election cycle because of who is leaving.
Nydia Velázquez has been in Congress since 1993. She was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the House. Her retirement from the 7th District is a seismic shift for the Hispanic community and for Brooklyn/Queens politics.
Then you have Elise Stefanik. She’s been a massive force for the GOP in North Country. With her announcing she won’t run for her House seat again, that District 21 race is going to be absolutely wild. Every political operative in the state is already eyeing that open seat.
And we already mentioned Jerry Nadler. Losing Nadler, Velázquez, and potentially others means New York is losing a massive amount of "seniority." In D.C., seniority equals committee chairs and better funding for local projects. When these veterans leave, the new people start at the bottom of the ladder.
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How to Find Your Specific Rep
If you’re sitting there wondering, "Okay, but which one of these people actually works for me?" you aren't alone. District lines in New York are notoriously squiggly.
The easiest way is to go to the official House website and plug in your zip code. But even that can be tricky if your zip code is split. You'll need your full plus-four zip code extension to be 100% sure.
Pro Tip: Don't just look at the name. Look at their committee assignments. If your representative is on the Appropriations Committee (like Grace Meng) or Ways and Means (like Joe Morelle), they have a lot more pull over where federal tax dollars actually go.
Actionable Next Steps
Staying informed isn't just about knowing names. It's about engagement.
- Check your registration: With the 2026 midterms approaching, make sure your voter registration is active, especially if you've moved recently.
- Sign up for newsletters: Every one of these representatives has a "e-newsletter." They’re mostly brag sheets, but they’re the best way to find out when they are holding town halls in your neighborhood.
- Track the open seats: Watch the news for the primary races in Districts 7, 12, and 21. These are "open" seats, meaning there's no incumbent. This is where the real political drama happens.
New York's influence in Washington is changing. The "Old Guard" is heading for the exit, and a new generation is stepping up. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on who you ask, but one thing is certain: the 2026 delegation won't look anything like the one we had a decade ago.