Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, born and raised in Staten Island, is running for reelection in a senate district that covers the Island’s North Shore and parts of Brooklyn. She was elected in 2022 after working for former Senator Diane Savino and former Assembly Member Janele Hyer Spencer, who both represented similar areas. She currently chairs the Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs Committee. Three of her bills were signed into law – they deal with the rights of public utilities’ employees and some state employees – and others were approved through the state budget, including making assaulting a retail worker a felony. She also touts her legislative work in support of families who experienced stillbirth. Scarcella-Spanton’s reelection campaign largely focuses on public safety issues, as well as veteran housing and reproductive freedom. She takes pride in stopping congestion pricing as part of a bipartisan effort. Citizens Union supported Scarcella Spanton in the 2022 election. During that election cycle, she supported all of CU’s policy goals in the questionnaire. 

Marko Kepi served in the United States Marine Corps before transitioning to a career in politics. He worked for former State Senator Marty Golden, was part of Rudy Giuliani’s Presidential campaign, and has sought public office twice before. In 2020, he ran for a Staten Island Assembly district but lost the Republican primary. In 2021, he lost the primary for a City Council seat by less than one percentage point. For this campaign, Kepi highlights his support for the police, shared family values, parental rights, and an end to sanctuary city status. Kepi is active in civic organizations supporting the Albanian community in New York, and in 2020, he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Trump.