State

State Senator, 39th 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 Dutchess County, part of Orange County and part of Putnam County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Lisa Kaul

Democratic, Working Families

Dutchess County legislator

The gist

Proposes replacing Central Hudson with a nonprofit power authority.
Supports the New York Health Act (single-payer health care).
Supports the REST Act on tenant protections.
Opposes hyperscale AI data centers; supports solar and wind.
Supports more aggressive redistricting by New York Democrats.

More about Lisa

View sources (2)

Proposes replacing Central Hudson with a nonprofit power authority.
Lisa Kaul looks to oust Rolison from state Senate
News coverage · City & State New York · cityandstateny.com
“I’m proposing that we replace it with a nonprofit utility, the Hudson Valley Power Authority.”
Supports the New York Health Act (single-payer health care).
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 39 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will work to pass the New York Health Act to establish a single-payer, universal healthcare system.”
Supports the REST Act on tenant protections.
Lisa Kaul looks to oust Rolison from state Senate
News coverage · City & State New York · cityandstateny.com
“I am supporting the (Rent Emergency Stabilization for Tenants) Act.”
Opposes hyperscale AI data centers; supports solar and wind.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 39 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“That means investing in water infrastructure and fighting against hyperscale AI Data Centers.”
Supports more aggressive redistricting by New York Democrats.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 39 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Democrats in New York must more aggressively redistrict. This is unfortunate, but necessary.”

Robert G. Rolison

Republican, ConservativeIncumbent

State Senator

The gist

Secured passage of Melanie's Law on domestic violence.In office
Co-sponsored the Protect the Hudson Act.In office
Voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act (2025).In office
Voted against 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 Robert

View sources (4)

Secured passage of Melanie's Law on domestic violence.
About Rob Rolison (senator biography)
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“His accomplishments include closing domestic violence loopholes through the passage of Melanie’s Law”
Co-sponsored the Protect the Hudson Act.
About Rob Rolison (senator biography)
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“enhancing environmental protection of the Hudson River as a co-sponsor of the Protect the Hudson Act”
Voted against 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 against 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.