On Monday, February 9, Deputy Leader of the State Senate Michael Gianaris announced that he was not going to run for re-election in 2026. Senator Gianaris has served in office for more than 25 years, both in the New York State Senate and Assembly. His statement follows:
“After more than 25 years representing the people of western Queens in the Senate and Assembly, I have decided not to seek re-election in 2026.
“Serving as Deputy Leader of the State Senate’s largest- ever majority, and as the highest-ranking Senator from New York City for the past eight years, has been more rewarding than I could have possibly imagined. Being part of the leadership team that made these achievements possible will certainly be the greatest highlight of my career.
“When I was first elected to the Senate, the conference had just lost the majority and the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee was more than $3 million in debt. Eight years later, alongside
Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and my amazing colleagues, we overcame obstacles that most believed insurmountable, including opposition from leaders of our own party. Beginning in 2019 when we secured the majority, we embarked on an unprecedented and unrelenting rush of legislative achievements unlikely to be repeated – celebrated advancements on issues such as voting rights, tenant protections, immigrant safeguards, reproductive rights, the environment, criminal law reforms, animal rights, and support for working people, to name just a few.
“While the State Senate’s future is in good hands with the current members of the Democratic conference, it is time for me to embrace a new role as the best father I can be. Children grow in the blink of an eye and mine are no exception. The fact is that working in my district, leading the majority’s efforts on the floor of the Senate, and steering our conference’s campaign arm are intensely time-consuming tasks. But so is being a husband and father. I cherish my time with my family as much as any political success I have experienced, and after a quarter century as a legislator
I simply do not want to miss another moment.
“Public service is a tremendous and often thankless sacrifice, even more so in today’s divisive climate. I honor all those who dedicate their lives to making things better for their neighbors. I tried my best to do that during my decades in public life and am proud of the contributions large and small that I was able to make.
“All my thanks to the many legislators and friends in both legislative houses with whom I served over the years, to the talented staff who have worked with me, to Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the greatest Majority Leader the Senate has ever known, and especially to the people of westem Queens who placed their faith in me even as the neighborhood went through multiple evolutions over many years.
“Most of all I am grateful to my family, who also bear the burdens associated with having a loved one in elected office. Leaving public service is obviously a bittersweet moment, but it is made better knowing I will now have more time with them.”