New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh announced on February 3 that he will not seek reelection after the current term in the 27th district. With his seat becoming vacant, State Assembly member Grace Lee expressed interest in running, while former State Assembly member Yuh-Line Niou officially declared her candidacy on the same day. It is anticipated that the Democratic primary will become increasingly competitive.
In his statement on February 3, Kavanagh announced the end of his 20-year career in the State Senate. He emphasized that stepping aside at this moment could create an open and fair election in the district, allowing a new generation of leaders the opportunity to take on responsibilities. Kavanagh has been a key figure in housing, tenant protection, gun control, and environmental legislation in the State Senate.
Against this backdrop, current Democratic State Assembly member Grace Lee took the initiative to announce that she is actively evaluating and exploring the possibility of running for the State Senate seat. In her statement, Lee highly praised Kavanagh for his integrity and achievements in serving the district over the years, thanking him for collaboration on issues such as affordable housing. She stated her intention to deeply engage with the various communities in the 27th district, listen to the opinions of voters, and understand how she can more effectively respond to residents’ needs. As a Korean-American, Lee has long been focused on grassroots livelihoods and community service, with her direction seen as a continuation of Kavanagh’s pragmatic approach.
Another candidate in the race is the outspoken progressive former State Assembly member Yuh-Line Niou, who hails from Taiwan. Niou officially announced her candidacy for State Senator on Tuesday, calling for “bold, strong, genuinely progressive leadership.” She bluntly stated that the Democratic Party should not continue to compromise on issues such as immigration, healthcare, climate, and social justice, but instead should fight for immigrant rights, universal healthcare, against big oil companies, and to balance authoritarian tendencies. Niou stressed that she has long heard the voices of the community, activists, and grassroots leaders, hoping to step up and become a “representative who can fight.”
The 27th district of the State Senate covers Chinatown, the Lower East Side, and parts of the core Manhattan area. According to the election schedule, candidates must submit petition documents by April 6, the Democratic primary will be held on June 23, and the winner will compete for the seat in the general election on November 3.