State

State Senator, 53rd 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 Madison County, Oneida County, part of Chenango County and part of Herkimer County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Mandi Drake

Democratic, Working Families

Art educator; small business owner

The gist

Supports higher taxes on the wealthiest and property tax relief.
Supports project labor agreements on public works and Micron projects.
Supports the New York Health Act (single-payer health care).
Supports universal pre-K and affordable child care.
Supports abortion rights.

More about Mandi

View sources (1)

Supports higher taxes on the wealthiest and property tax relief.
My Priorities | Mandi Drake For New York State Senate
Campaign website · drakeforny53.com
“Make the wealthiest New Yorkers and big corporations pay their fair share so the burden stops falling on the middle class.”
Supports project labor agreements on public works and Micron projects.
My Priorities | Mandi Drake For New York State Senate
Campaign website · drakeforny53.com
“Require project labor agreements and strong union contracts on New York's public works and Micron-related projects.”
Supports the New York Health Act (single-payer health care).
My Priorities | Mandi Drake For New York State Senate
Campaign website · drakeforny53.com
“Pass the New York Health Act to guarantee every New Yorker quality, affordable coverage.”
Supports universal pre-K and affordable child care.
My Priorities | Mandi Drake For New York State Senate
Campaign website · drakeforny53.com
“Deliver universal pre-K and affordable childcare so no family is priced out of the workforce.”
Supports abortion rights.
My Priorities | Mandi Drake For New York State Senate
Campaign website · drakeforny53.com
“Defend the right to abortion and reproductive care, free from government interference.”

Joseph A. Griffo

Republican, ConservativeIncumbent

State Senator

The gist

Led push that added 600-plus defense jobs at Griffiss.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 Joseph

View sources (4)

Led push that added 600-plus defense jobs at Griffiss.
About Joseph A. Griffo (senator biography)
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“His advocacy on behalf of Defense Department-related employment resulted in an increase of more than 600 jobs at Griffiss”
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; 5 issues covered in this race.