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State Senator, 41st 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 Columbia County, Greene County, part of Dutchess County and part of Ulster County.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Patrick Sheehan

Republican, Conservative

Real estate agent

The gist

  • Proposed putting Central Hudson under state-run receivership.
  • Supported police cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
  • Supported banning corporate-owned short-term rentals.
  • Opposed transgender girls playing on girls' school teams.
More about Patrick
View sources (1)

  1. Proposed putting Central Hudson under state-run receivership.

    Patrick Sheehan, Defeated in 2022 Election for State Assembly, Now Seeks to Topple Hinchey for State Senate

    News coverage · The Daily Catch · Sep 16, 2024 · thedailycatch.org

    “Sheehan advised that Central Hudson be placed under receivership”

  2. Supported police cooperation with federal immigration agencies.

    Patrick Sheehan, Defeated in 2022 Election for State Assembly, Now Seeks to Topple Hinchey for State Senate

    News coverage · The Daily Catch · Sep 16, 2024 · thedailycatch.org

    “he plans to support legislation that facilitates deportation of non-citizens who have committed crimes”

  3. Supported banning corporate-owned short-term rentals.

    Patrick Sheehan, Defeated in 2022 Election for State Assembly, Now Seeks to Topple Hinchey for State Senate

    News coverage · The Daily Catch · Sep 16, 2024 · thedailycatch.org

    “The Town of Ulster resident does, however, support banning corporate-owned STRs.”

  4. Opposed transgender girls playing on girls' school teams.

    Patrick Sheehan, Defeated in 2022 Election for State Assembly, Now Seeks to Topple Hinchey for State Senate

    News coverage · The Daily Catch · Sep 16, 2024 · thedailycatch.org

    “Sheehan argues that transgender students should not be able to play on gender-affirming sports teams that don’t align with their assigned sex at birth”
Photo of Michelle Hinchey
Michelle HincheyOfficial portrait — New York State Senate

Michelle Hinchey

Democratic, Working FamiliesIncumbent

State Senator

The gist

  • Co-sponsored a public power authority to acquire Central Hudson.
  • Sponsored the Universal School Meals Act (free school breakfast, lunch).In office
  • Secured the state's first capital fund for volunteer fire departments.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 packaging reduction and recycling act (2025).In office

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

More about Michelle
View sources (5)

  1. Co-sponsored a public power authority to acquire Central Hudson.

    Patrick Sheehan, Defeated in 2022 Election for State Assembly, Now Seeks to Topple Hinchey for State Senate

    News coverage · The Daily Catch · Sep 16, 2024 · thedailycatch.org

    “she will continue to fight for the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act (HVPAA), legislation she is co-sponsoring with Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha”

  2. Sponsored the Universal School Meals Act (free school breakfast, lunch).

    About Michelle Hinchey (senator biography)

    Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov

    “most notably as the lead sponsor of the Universal School Meals Act, guaranteeing free breakfast and lunch for every New York student”

  3. Secured the state's first capital fund for volunteer fire departments.

    About Michelle Hinchey (senator biography)

    Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov

    “creating the state’s first capital fund for volunteer fire departments”

  4. 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”

  5. 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”

  6. Voted for the packaging reduction and recycling act (2025).

    S1464A (2025-26), Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act: bill page and roll calls

    Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov

    “Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure 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; 7 issues covered in this race.