State Senator, 54th District · New York 2026 General Election

Michael Mills

Democratic

Nonprofit executive; public relations professional

The gist

Supports research to combat harmful algal blooms in the lakes.
Supports grid modernization and public renewable power.
Pledges higher state reimbursement for rural clinics and hospitals.
Proposes streamlining the state's minority business certification.
Proposes cutting waste in the public campaign matching fund.

More about Michael

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Supports research to combat harmful algal blooms in the lakes.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 54 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“including investment in research to combat Harmful Algal Blooms in the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario”
Supports grid modernization and public renewable power.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 54 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Aggressive grid Modernization and deployment of public renewables”
Pledges higher state reimbursement for rural clinics and hospitals.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 54 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will fight to increase state reimbursement rates for our rural healthcare clinics and hospitals”
Proposes streamlining the state's minority business certification.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 54 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“work to streamline our state’s MWBE certification process so local minority- and family-owned small businesses can successfully compete”
Proposes cutting waste in the public campaign matching fund.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: New York Senate District 54 (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (answers written by the candidates) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“taking waste out of New York's well-intended but poorly managed candidate matching fund program”

Pamela A. Helming

Republican, ConservativeIncumbent

State Senator

The gist

Secured the Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act banning incinerators.In office
Voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act (2025).In office
Voted against the 2026 redistricting constitutional amendment.In office
Voted against 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 Pamela

View sources (4)

Secured the Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act banning incinerators.
About Pam Helming (senator biography)
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“passage of the Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act to prohibit incinerators”
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 against 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"”