To view Citizens Union’s 2026 Voters Guide, click here

New York, NY (October 15, 2026) – Today, Citizens Union announced its endorsements for statewide and State Assembly races in the 2026 November general election.

In the race for New York State Attorney General, Citizens Union endorses Letitia James (D, WF), whose first two terms distinguished her as a strong advocate for protecting New York’s interests in court and as a leading voting rights champion nationally.

In the race for New York State Comptroller, Citizens Union endorses Thomas DiNapoli (D, WF), whose long record in office has been defined by careful stewardship, ethical integrity, and institutional independence.

“New Yorkers deserve leaders who work tirelessly to protect the public and hold powerful interests accountable,” said Grace Rauh, Executive Director of Citizens Union. “Attorney General Letitia James and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli have both shown the independence and integrity these offices require, and we encourage voters to support them. At the same time, we want to see more from both offices. That means a greater focus on public corruption from the Attorney General, and a more assertive Comptroller who draws public attention to – and proposes solutions to – the problems his audits uncover.”

Citizens Union also endorsed two candidates running in competitive general elections for the state Assembly. In Assembly District 46 (Brooklyn – Bay Ridge, Coney Island), it endorsed Chris McCreight (D, WF), a current City Council staff member committed to a strong reform agenda. In Assembly District 23 (Queens – Rockaways, Ozone Park), it endorsed Tom Sullivan (R, C), who has called for stronger disclosure of super PAC donors. In the race between Lester Chang and Joyce Xie for Assembly District 49 (Brooklyn – Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights), Citizens Union issued a No Endorsement.

Last week, Citizens Union announced support for the five ballot questions before New York City voters in the 2026 general election.

“With several competitive races on the ballot, it is important that voters take a moment to learn about who is running to represent them, and where they stand on important reform issues. Citizens Union is proud to support candidates from both major parties who are committed to a reform agenda in Albany, and urges New Yorkers to vote all the way down their ballots and flip them to vote on the charter amendments,” said Rauh.

Citizens Union is not endorsing a candidate in the race for governor. Both Governor Kathy Hochul (D, WF) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R, C) declined to fill out questionnaires or to be interviewed about their positions on government ethics, money in politics, democracy, and accountability. Citizens Union’s robust candidate evaluation process has long given New Yorkers an opportunity to examine exactly where candidates stand on critical reform issues. Avoiding these tough questions ahead of a consequential election undermines informed public debate, transparency and accountability. It’s disappointing that these gubernatorial candidates have chosen such a path.

Citizens Union’s endorsement review process includes candidate questionnaires, independent research, and interviews with members of the Citizens Union Local Candidates Committee and board members. Candidate questionnaires and interviews are available online.

Support for Citizens Union’s reform agenda is the primary criterion used in deciding whether to support a candidate. Other criteria considered includes:

• A record of ethical integrity
• Commitment and ability to advance Citizens Union’s goals, if elected
• For incumbents: demonstrated support for Citizens Union’s issues while in office
• Evidence of ability to wage an effective and competitive campaign
• Reliance on small-donor, local financing of the campaign
• Candidates’ grasp of issues specific to the race’s jurisdiction and whether they propose thoughtful solutions to represent constituents’ interests

Citizens Union list of 2026 General Election endorsements; click each race to read the full assessment watch candidate interviews, and read candidate questionnaires:,

• New York State Attorney General
  Letitia James (D, WF)
• New York State Comptroller
  Thomas DiNapoli (D, WF)
• Assembly District 23 (Queens – Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Rockaways, Ozone Park)
  Thomas Sullivan (R, C)
• Assembly District 46 (Brooklyn – Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights)
  Chris McCreight (D, WF)
• Assembly District 49 (Brooklyn – New Utrecht, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Sunset Park)
  No endorsement

In the June primary election, Citizens Union preferred the following candidates who are on the ballot this fall:

• Senate District 13 (Queens – Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Corona, Elmhurst, North Corona, Flushing Meadows)
  Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
• Senate District 27 (Manhattan – Tribeca, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, West Village, Alphabet City, Lower East Side, East Village, Financial District)
  Grace Lee
• Assembly District 30 (Queens – Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth)
  Patrick Martinez
• Assembly District 37 (Queens – Long Island City, Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Maspeth)
  Samantha Kattan
• Assembly District 38 (Queens – Glendale, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, Woodhaven)
  David Orkin
• Assembly District 56 (Brooklyn – Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights)
  Eon Huntley
• Assembly District 66 (Manhattan – Greenwich Village, Tribeca, SoHo, NoHo, Battery Park City, Meatpacking District)
  David Siffert
• Assembly District 68 (Manhattan – East Harlem, Central Harlem, Upper East Side, Randalls Island)
  Diana Ayala
• Assembly District 69 (Manhattan – Upper West Side, Bloomingdale, Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights)
  Eli Northrup
• Assembly District 73 (Manhattan – Murray Hill, Turtle Bay, Sutton Place, Midtown East, Upper East Side)
  Vanessa Aronson

Media Contact: Emily Kaufold
ekaufold@citizensunion.org | 203.295.5783