Meet the Class of 2015

Although the balance of power shifted little in the 2014 elections— the governor, state comptroller and state attorney general kept their seats, and the legislative leadership is largely unchanged—there are a number of new faces in the Senate and Assembly.

In total, 27 new state lawmakers were elected in the November elections. There are 10 new state senators, among them seven Republicans who helped the party seize outright control in the upper house. In the Assembly there are 17 new members, including a number of Democratic pickups expanding Speaker Sheldon Silver’s super majority.

Some of the newcomers have held elected office before—in city and town councils, county legislatures, even in Albany—or worked on political campaigns or as government staffers. Others are political neophytes, including a former TV newscaster, state policeman and college registrar.

In this special section, City & State introduces all 27 new lawmakers, providing key background information and identifying their top priorities for the upcoming session.

Profiles by Ashley Hupfl, Jon Lentz, Michael Gareth Johnson and Gabe Ponce de León