Gianaris will not run for reelection

State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris announced on Monday that he will not run for reelection and will instead retire at the end of the year. Gianaris is currently the second-most powerful Democrat in the state Senate, behind only Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

“After more than 25 years representing the people of western Queens in the Senate and Assembly, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2026,” Gianaris said in a statement posted on X. “Serving as Deputy Leader of the State Senate's largest-ever majority, and as the highest-ranking Senator from New York City for the past eight years, has been more rewarding than I could have possibly imagined.”

“While the State Senate’s future is in good hands with the current members of the Democratic conference, it is time for me to embrace a new role as the best father I can be,” he added. Gianaris married his second wife in December 2022 and has a 2-year-old daughter, as well as an 11-year-old from his wife's previous relationship.

Gianaris replied with his newly released statement on X when asked for comment. His decision not to run for reelection was first reported by NY1. 

Gianaris represents Senate District 12, which covers much of western Queens, including parts of Astoria, Woodside, Sunnyside, Elmhurst and Ridgewood. It’s a left-leaning district where Zohran Mamdani won 65% of the first round vote in the Democratic mayoral primary last year. Members of the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York City chapter will almost certainly eye the seat, though time will tell whether the organization formally endorses a candidate in a busy primary season with numerous contested races. Gianaris has been a close ally to socialist politicians, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, but was not himself a DSA member.

Two DSA members told City & State that the socialist organization is likely to run either Aber Kawas or Stylianos Karolidis for Gianaris’ open seat. Kawas, a Palestinian American organizer, is currently running with NYC-DSA’s support for the open Assembly seat being vacated by Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, but she could switch to the open state Senate race instead. Karolidis, the co-host of the socialist podcast “Left on Red” and an informal adviser to Kawas, could run to succeed Gianaris if Kawas decides to remain in the Assembly race.

Assembly Member Steven Raga said Gianaris’ announcement came as a surprise and he hopes the next member to hold the seat would carry on his legacy. The Democrat, who represents an overlapping district, said he hadn’t had the necessary discussions yet about who would succeed Gianaris, but would “heavily consider” running if he were asked. 

Former New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer is also considered to be a potential candidate. He was term-limited out of the council in 2021 and has since served as a strategic adviser at the Girl Scouts of Greater New York.

Amit Singh Bagga, a Democratic consultant and former aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul, told City & State he’s been approached about running, but ruled out the possibility. Bagga finished second in a crowded 2021 New York City Council primary in an overlapping district. 

Brian Romero, a DSA member who is running against Kawas in the primary to succeed González-Rojas, said he would not switch to the open Senate race, in part because he does not currently live in Gianaris’ district. Other potential candidates – including City Council Members Tiffany Cabán and Julie Won, who is currently running for Congress – also live outside the district boundaries and wouldn’t be eligible.

Gianaris was considered a contender to succeed Stewart-Cousins as majority leader. His retirement from the Senate clears the path for state Sen. Jamaal Bailey to take over leadership when Stewart-Cousins leaves the position. A spokesperson for Stewart-Cousins said the news will be addressed at the leader’s weekly press conference in Albany Tuesday.

Bailey called Gianaris “a champion for working families, the Senate, someone who led us out of the political wilderness, and most importantly a great dad & husband,” in a post on X. “You led us into the greatest majority we’ve seen- and the best floor leader we’ve seen in action here.”

Hochul meanwhile called Gianaris “a steady, thoughtful presence in Albany” in a post on X and said she was “Grateful for his partnership in strengthening voter protections and wishing him the best in his next chapter.”