The Ballot Brief
Queens County, New York

New York Assembly District 38

2 candidates are tracked for New York Assembly District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: David Orkin and Ruben D. Cruz II. Candidate information follows official Queens County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

David Orkin (Democratic; also on the Working Families line), Ruben D. Cruz II (Republican; also on the Queens United line) are on the November 3 ballot for New York Assembly District 38. Not on the November ballot: Jenifer Rajkumar, the sitting member per the roster. 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.

New York › Queens County › New York Assembly District 38

David Orkin

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Raising taxes on wealthy individuals and profitable corporations to fund childcare, transit and housing
  • Advancing sanctuary protections for immigrant communities
  • Supporting transgender sanctuary-state status and reproductive rights protections

Per the campaign site.

Biography

David Orkin is an immigrant workers' rights attorney at Make the Road New York and a member of the UAW Local 2320 bargaining committee, per his campaign site. The son of a Mexican immigrant, he is fluent in Spanish and previously organized at a migrant shelter in Oaxaca, Mexico, per the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club candidate questionnaire.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Ruben D. Cruz II

Republican

Top priorities
  • Improving transparency around property liens and reducing the property tax burden on seniors
  • Expanding technical and arts education programming
  • Lowering prescription drug prices and protecting older adults from hidden fees

Per the Queens Ledger.

Biography

Ruben D. Cruz II has worked in sales, nonprofit management, social work and theater, including managing board operations at the Clemente Soto Velez Center and founding a bilingual puppet theater, per the Queens Ledger. He holds a degree in theatre and dance from Queens College, 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 Ruben D. Cruz II.

Next on your ballotNew York Assembly District 39

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Questions about this race

Who is running for New York Assembly District 38 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for New York Assembly District 38 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: David Orkin and Ruben D. Cruz II. Candidate information follows official Queens County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the New York Assembly District 38 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 Queens 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 Queens 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 Queens County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Queens County ballot

33 tracked races in Queens County, New York. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
New York Assembly District 40New York Supreme Court Justice, 11th Judicial DistrictJudge of the Civil Court, Queens County (3 seats)See all 33 Queens County races
Candidate profiles
David Orkin, full profileRuben D. Cruz II, full profileOfficial New York election office