State senator Michael Gianaris - Photo Credit:REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
State senator Michael Gianaris – Photo Credit:REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
New York-NY-New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending a legislative career of more than 25 years representing western Queens in both the Assembly and Senate.
In a public statement, Gianaris said the decision follows a long legislative career that included serving in senior Senate leadership during the chamber’s largest-ever Democratic majority and as the highest-ranking senator from New York City for the past eight years. He described his role in Senate leadership as the most rewarding chapter of his career
Gianaris reflected on the Democratic conference’s trajectory since his early years in Albany, noting that when he first entered the Senate, Democrats were in the minority and facing significant financial challenges. He credited the leadership team, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, with overcoming internal and external obstacles to secure and maintain control of the chamber beginning in 2019.
He pointed to a period of sustained legislative activity following the Democratic takeover, citing actions on voting rights, tenant protections, immigrant safeguards, reproductive rights, environmental policy, criminal justice reforms, animal welfare, and labor issues.
Gianaris said his decision not to run again was driven largely by family considerations. He noted the demands of legislative leadership and campaign responsibilities, and said he now intends to focus more fully on his role as a husband and father.
In his statement, Gianaris expressed gratitude to colleagues, staff, Senate leadership, and the residents of western Queens who repeatedly elected him. He described leaving public office as a bittersweet moment but said the opportunity to spend more time with his family made the decision easier.
