An Albany exodus of retiring state lawmakers

Every two years, the state Legislature undergoes a refresh. Some politicians decide to retire and spend more time with their families, while others lose elections and are forced to spend more time with their families. In this cycle, state Senate Deputy Minority Leader Michael Gianaris, with over 25 years of experience in the state Legislature, has been the highest-profile departure so far. However, he’s far from alone in this exodus from Albany. Here are the lawmakers who are retiring or not seeking reelection, which doesn’t include those who are running for a different office.

State Senate

Michael Gianaris

After more than two decades in the state Legislature in both the state Senate and Assembly, Gianaris announced he would not seek reelection in order to spend more time with his young children. His departure leaves vacant not only his seat, but also the position of deputy majority leader. Gianaris served as the second most powerful Democrat in his chamber for the past seven years alongside Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and has had a hand in most major achievements both in government and politically. Progressives and the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York City chapter are expected to coalesce around Aber Kawas, who’s currently running an overlapping Assembly district, if she decides to shift to the state Senate race.  In leadership, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey has long been floated as a potential successor to a top position.

Brian Kavanagh

Another two-decade lawmaker, Kavanagh said he felt the time had come to allow a new generation of leaders to take over – so he decided he’d leave his Lower Manhattan seat to allow for an open primary to play out. He joined the Assembly in 2007 and entered the state Senate ten years later following a special election. Kavanagh’s exit will also leave vacant the chair position of the powerful Housing Committee. At the helm of that committee, Kavanagh helped usher in the landmark rent regulation laws of 2019, as well as “good cause” eviction protections a few years later. Former Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou, who had previously considered challenging Kavanagh before running for Congress, has announced a bid to replace him. Assembly Member Grace Lee said she is also exploring a run.

Assembly

William Barclay

Leadership change came more immediately when Barclay announced his plan to retire – he stepped down as minority leader in the Assembly the same day. Republicans quickly voted Assembly Member Ed Ra as his replacement to lead the conference. Barclay has served in the Assembly since 2003 representing his Central New York district and as the minority leader since 2020. He helped herald his members through the pandemic and the turbulence of a gubernatorial resignation a year after taking over. In a statement, he said “this is the right time” for him to move on.

Deborah Glick

Glick made history as the first openly gay member of the state Legislature when Manhattan voters first elected her in 1990. After serving in the lower chamber for over three decades, Glick said in her announcement that she felt as though she would not be able to dedicate all of her energy to serving her constituents beyond the end of her current term. She currently leads her chamber’s Environmental Conservation Committee, where she has championed a number of bills, and has had a hand in passing landmark protections for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Glick has endorsed District Leader Jeannine Kiely to replace her.

Stacey Pheffer Amato

Bringing an end to a Queens mini-dynasty, Pheffer Amato has decided she won’t seek another term for her seat, which was previously held by her mother. She said that after 10 years in the Assembly, she was ready to find new ways to serve her constituents. Although 2026 is an election year that is expected to be favorable to Democrats, Pheffer Amato has had several tough races the past few elections. She will leave vacant the chair of the Committee on Governmental Employees, where she has sponsored numerous bills in support of public servants. Pheffer Amato is backing Pesach Osina, a one-time City Council candidate, as her replacement.

Donna Lupardo

Binghamton will be in search of a new representative in the Assembly as Lupardo announced she would not seek another term in office. She did not give a specific reason for the exit, although she has served in the Legislature since 2005. Lupardo said she plans to continue advocating for the issues she fought for in the Assembly even out of office, including economic development to revitalize the Southern Tier and support for agriculture in the region. She also said she hopes to get a teaching role at Binghamton University, her alma mater. Though they praised Lupardo’s service, Republicans are gearing up to attempt to flip the open seat.

Marianne Buttenschon

Buttenschon is a newer member of the Legislature, first getting elected in 2018, so she has less of a track record than some of her long-tenured colleagues. She cited the chance to draft and pass bills in support of veterans and first responders as among her proudest achievements in serving her Utica and Rome constituents. Fellow Democrat Joe Betar, currently a Utica Common Council member, announced his plan to succeed Buttenschon.

Nader Sayegh

Another less tenured member, Sayegh cited  the soon-to-be-enforced outside income limits as one reason why he has decided not to run for reelection. He has a successful law firm outside of his work in the Legislature that the new rules would make more difficult to practice for. Since taking office in 2019, Sayegh has focused much of his attention on issues around education equity broadly and in his city of Yonkers. His chief of staff Frank Jereis has declared that he will run for the Assembly seat this year.

Vivian Cook

Although she initially insisted she would run for another term, Cook ultimately announced she would retire at the end of the year after a 35-year career in the Legislature. A fixture of Southeast Queens and mentor to many Black politicians that have come after her, Cook’s departure is seen as the true end of an era both in the borough and in Black political power. She did not provide a specific reason for the decision, but at nearly 90 years old, her move is not entirely surprising. The Queens Democratic Party has already decided to back Nathaniel Hezekiah, deputy chief of staff to Rep. Greg Meeks, to succeed Cook. But at least one other Democrat has filed to run, so there may yet be a competitive primary.

Kenneth Blankenbush

Blankenbush said “there’s no rhyme or reason” for his decision not to run for another term after 15 years in the Assembly. The Republican said that he was most proud to provide everyday assistance to his North Country constituents, like navigating governmental regulatory bureaucracy necessary for opening a restaurant or obtaining various licenses. Blankenbush has already endorsed his chief of staff Tammie Nabywaniec to replace him.

Brian Manktelow

Another Republican looking to retire at the end of the year, Manktelow entered office to represent a portion of the Finger Lakes region in 2019. He did not cite a reason for his decision to leave public office. At least twoRepublicans have already announced campaigns to replace Manktelow, so a primary is in the cards this June.

Angelo Morinello

Morinello has served in the Assembly since 2017, and at a time of heightened partisanship, said that he has been able to work with members from both sides of the aisle in that time to deliver for his Western New York constituents. He has endorsed Rebecca Wydysh, a former Niagara County Legislature Chair, to replace him in the Legislature.