New York state Sen. Brian Kavanagh, chair of the Senate Housing Committee, announced Tuesday he will not run for reelection in 2026.
“This has been a very difficult decision, because I love so many aspects of my job as a legislator and as a representative of so many diverse communities. But in my very first campaign, I sought to persuade voters that it was time for ‘a new generation of leadership’ and I believe that all of us in elected office owe it to our constituents to recognize when we have reached a point when we have given it our all and they would be well served by electing someone new,” the New York City Democrat said in a statement. “After 20 years in the legislature — and in a window when this decision can allow for an open contest for my seat — for me, that point is now. And I am confident that there will be new, exciting, and impactful ways to continue serving the public, and I look forward to exploring what I might do after I have completed my term in eleven months.”
Kavanagh has represented the 27th state Senate District, covering neighborhoods across lower Manhattan, since 2017, serving recently as chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development. Prior to his work in the state’s upper chamber, Kavanagh served in the state Assembly since 2007.
Kavanagh helped craft the 2013 NY SAFE Act and led the Senate effort to enact the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act in 2019, which gave new protections to tenants.
He also introduced the controversial All Electric Building Act, which was slated to ban new gas hookups in new buildings under seven stories starting Jan. 1. The implementation of that law has been delayed until the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals makes a ruling on the matter.
“I remain very motivated to treat every day in this job as an opportunity to serve the residents of the 27th Senate District and to partner with colleagues at all levels of government, advocates, constituents, and my great staff to fund essential programs and services, enact the laws we need, and address community and individual constituent issues,” Kavanagh said. “And as this legislative session unfolds and throughout the remainder of 2026, I plan to do exactly that.”