State

State Senator, 35th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state senator votes on New York laws and the state budget and confirms the Governor's appointments.

Covers part of Westchester County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Anthony J. Merante

Republican

Certified public accountant

The gist

Opposes Con Edison rate increases approved by state regulators.
Opposes New York's bail reform law.
Opposes state spending on housing migrants in hotels.
Opposes state override of local zoning for housing.

More about Anthony

View sources (1)

Opposes Con Edison rate increases approved by state regulators.
About Anthony | Anthony Merante for New York State Senate - District 35
Campaign website · meranteforsenate.com
“Democrats keep rubber stamping Con Edison rate increases while families struggle to pay their bills.”
Opposes New York's bail reform law.
About Anthony | Anthony Merante for New York State Senate - District 35
Campaign website · meranteforsenate.com
“So called bail reform has turned our justice system into a revolving door.”
Opposes state spending on housing migrants in hotels.
About Anthony | Anthony Merante for New York State Senate - District 35
Campaign website · meranteforsenate.com
“Albany is spending $4.3 billion of your tax dollars to house illegal migrants in hotels across the state”
Opposes state override of local zoning for housing.
About Anthony | Anthony Merante for New York State Senate - District 35
Campaign website · meranteforsenate.com
“Local governments should decide zoning, not Democratic bureaucrats.”

Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Democratic, Working FamiliesIncumbent

State Senator; Senate Majority Leader

The gist

Led push to put abortion rights in state constitution.In office
Voted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act (2025).In office
Voted for the 2026 redistricting constitutional amendment.In office
Voted for the Democracy Preservation Act on election spending.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Andrea

View sources (4)

Led push to put abortion rights in state constitution.
About Andrea Stewart-Cousins (senator biography)
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“leading the charge to enshrine abortion rights and other protective provisions into the New York State Constitution through the enactment of the Equal Rights Amendment”
Voted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act (2025).
S138 (2025-26), Medical Aid in Dying Act: bill page and roll calls
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“Relates to the medical aid in dying act”
Voted for the 2026 redistricting constitutional amendment.
S10637A (2025-26), constitutional amendment on the Independent Redistricting Commission: bill page and roll call
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“Updates provisions relating to the independent redistricting commission”
Voted for the Democracy Preservation Act on election spending.
S324 (2025-26), Democracy Preservation Act: bill page and roll calls
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“Enacts the democracy preservation act”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.