Politics in New York is basically a marathon that never actually hits a finish line. You've probably noticed that as soon as one election wraps up, the whisper network starts buzzing about the next one. Right now, everyone is asking: who is running for senate in ny? It’s a trickier question than it sounds because "Senate" in this state usually means two very different things: the big-stage federal seat in D.C. or the 63 seats up in Albany that actually handle your local taxes and laws.
Honestly, the timing right now is wild. We are currently staring down a massive 2026 cycle. While Kirsten Gillibrand just locked down her seat in 2024, the state-level Senate is about to undergo a total facelift. If you’re living in Manhattan or Buffalo, you might even have an election much sooner than you think.
The Special Elections: Why Some New Yorkers Vote Next Month
Before we even get to the big November 2026 showdown, we have to talk about the "emergency" races.
Because of some high-profile reshuffling, a few seats are sitting empty right now. Brad Hoylman-Sigal left his post to become Manhattan Borough President, and Sean Ryan headed off to be the Mayor of Buffalo. This triggered a Special Election for February 3, 2026.
If you live in State Senate District 47 (Manhattan) or District 61 (Buffalo), you aren't waiting for the fall. You're voting now. In these special cases, the candidates aren't picked by a standard primary. Instead, the local party committees basically huddle up and hand-pick the nominees. It’s fast, it’s a bit chaotic, and it usually sees lower turnout—which means your vote actually carries about ten times the weight it usually does.
The 2026 Federal Landscape: Is Kirsten Gillibrand Running?
Actually, no. Not this time.
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This is where the confusion usually starts. New York has two U.S. Senators: Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer.
- Kirsten Gillibrand just won reelection in November 2024, beating Republican Mike Sapraicone. She’s set until 2030.
- Chuck Schumer won his seat back in 2022. He’s safe until 2028.
So, if you’re looking for a "Who is running for Senate in NY" guide for the United States Senate in 2026, the answer is: nobody. There is no federal Senate seat on the ballot for New York in 2026. This is a "Class 2" election year for the U.S. Senate, and New York simply doesn't have a Class 2 senator.
However, the State Senate—the folks in Albany—is a completely different story. Every single one of those 63 seats is up for grabs.
The Albany Power Struggle: Who is Running for State Senate in NY?
The Democrats currently hold a solid majority in Albany, led by Andrea Stewart-Cousins. But they lost their "supermajority" (that veto-proof 2/3 control) back in 2024. This makes the 2026 cycle a huge deal. The GOP, led by Rob Ortt, is smelling blood in the water, especially in suburban areas like Long Island and the Hudson Valley.
The Candidates to Watch
While the official "filing" period where people put their names on the dotted line doesn't happen until late March or early April 2026, we already know who is lacing up their boots.
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1. The Hudson Valley Battle (District 51)
This is arguably the most interesting race right now. Republican Peter Oberacker decided to jump ship and run for Congress, leaving an open seat.
- Michele Frazier (D): She’s running on a platform of "rural affordability." She’s looking at childcare and housing costs, trying to flip a district that has historically leaned red.
- Chris Tague (R): Currently an Assemblyman, he’s trying to move up to the Senate. He’s the "cost-of-living" candidate for the GOP, focusing on energy bills and inflation.
- Terry Bernardo (R): A local legislator from Sullivan County. She’s challenging Tague for the GOP nomination, emphasizing her deep local roots.
2. The NYC Progressive Push
In the city, the fight isn't usually between Democrats and Republicans. It's between "Establishment" Democrats and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
- In Queens, we’re seeing a lot of movement. Jessica González-Rojas is reportedly eyeing a State Senate run, which is already triggering a domino effect of candidates trying to fill her current Assembly seat.
- Watch the districts in Astoria and Brooklyn. The DSA is eyeing several seats held by moderate incumbents, though they haven't officially dropped their full 2026 endorsement list yet.
3. The "Safe" Seats
Most incumbents like Michael Gianaris (Queens) or Liz Krueger (Manhattan) are expected to run again. These are the heavy hitters of the Democratic party. On the flip side, you’ve got Republican mainstays like Andrew Lanza on Staten Island who rarely face a serious threat.
How the Process Actually Works (It's Kinda Messy)
If you want to run for State Senate in New York, you don't just show up. You need "Designating Petitions."
Basically, you have to walk around your neighborhood and get thousands of people to sign a piece of paper saying they want you on the ballot. This usually happens in the spring. If you don't get enough signatures, or if your opponent’s lawyers find a typo in your paperwork, you’re out. New York’s election law is notoriously "knife-fight" style—people get kicked off the ballot for tiny technicalities all the time.
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Why You Should Care About the 2026 Cycle
It’s easy to ignore the State Senate. They don't get the CNN segments that D.C. politicians get. But these are the people who decide if your rent goes up, how much your SUNY tuition costs, and whether or not the subways get funded.
Currently, New York is a "Blue Trifecta." This means Democrats control the Governor's office, the State Assembly, and the State Senate. If the GOP can flip even a handful of seats in 2026, they can effectively block Governor Kathy Hochul's entire agenda.
Key Dates for Your Calendar:
- February 3, 2026: Special Elections (Districts 47 and 61).
- March 30 - April 2, 2026: Official filing period for the general election.
- June 2026: The Primary Election (where the real fighting usually happens in NY).
- November 3, 2026: The General Election.
Actionable Next Steps for Voters
Don't wait until November to figure out who is on your ballot. NY politics moves fast and early.
- Verify Your District: Go to the NY State Board of Elections and use the "Poll Site Finder." Districts were redrawn recently, so you might not be in the same district you were two years ago.
- Check for Special Elections: If you’re in Manhattan or Buffalo, you might need to vote in February. The deadline to register for that is January 24, 2026.
- Follow Local Reporters: For the real dirt on who is running for senate in NY, don't look at national news. Follow people like Zach Williams or the team at City & State NY. They track the small-scale filing papers that indicate who is actually mounting a challenge.
- Request a Mail-In Ballot: New York now allows "Early Mail" voting for everyone—you don't need a "reason" or an excuse anymore. You can request this online through the NYS portal to avoid the lines in 2026.
Politics in New York is a contact sport. Whether it's the high-stakes special elections this winter or the full-slate battle in November, the 2026 Senate races will determine the direction of the state for the next decade. Keep your eyes on the petition filings this March—that's when we'll see who actually has the grit to make it to the ballot.