The Ballot Brief
New York County, New York

New York Senate District 26

2 candidates are tracked for New York Senate District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Andrew S. Gounardes and Tom Stanten. Candidate information follows official New York County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Andrew S. Gounardes (Democratic; also on the Working Families line), Tom Stanten (Republican; also on the Conservative line) are on the November 3 ballot for New York Senate District 26; Andrew S. Gounardes is the sitting member, per the State Senate's member directory. Party nominees were chosen at the June 23 primary or by party designation; independent bodies qualified by petition. The field is the State Board of Elections' amended certification for the general election (September 4, 2026); under fusion voting one person may appear on several ballot lines. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Andrew S. Gounardes, is on the ballot.

New York › New York County › New York Senate District 26

Andrew S. Gounardes

Andrew S. Gounardes

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Hospital costs and healthcare affordability
  • School zone speed cameras and public safety
  • Workers' rights

Per the official Senate page.

Biography

Andrew S. Gounardes is the Democratic candidate for New York Senate District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the State Board of Elections' certified general-election ballot. Andrew S. Gounardes is a sitting member for the district, per the State Senate's member directory. Gounardes is a graduate of Fort Hamilton High School, Hunter College and George Washington University Law School, and previously served as counsel to the Brooklyn Borough President for five years, per his official Senate page. He chairs the Senate Committee on Budget and Revenue and co-founded Bay Ridge Cares, a relief effort after Superstorm Sandy, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the State Board of Elections' certification is the only verifiable source for Andrew S. Gounardes.

Tom Stanten

Republican

Top priorities
  • Supports fully funding law enforcement
  • Supports protecting gifted and talented programs in schools
  • Supports upgrading MTA infrastructure, including the R train

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Tom Stanten is a U.S. Navy veteran who deployed aboard the USS Carl Vinson and a retired NYPD Detective Investigator who served in East New York and Southern Brooklyn, per his campaign site. He now owns a motorcycle shop in Sunset Park, per his campaign site. He is running for New York State Senate District 26.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotNew York Senate District 27

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Questions about this race

Who is running for New York Senate District 26 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for New York Senate District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Andrew S. Gounardes and Tom Stanten. Candidate information follows official New York County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the New York Senate District 26 election in New York?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for New York are on the New York election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact New York County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official New York County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official New York election office, or see the full New York County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

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Also on your ballot
New York Senate District 28New York Senate District 29New York Senate District 30See all 30 New York County races
Candidate profiles
Andrew S. Gounardes, full profileTom Stanten, full profileOfficial New York election office