Grace Lee is the current incumbent Assembly Member for Assembly District 65. She supported Citizens Union’s entire reform agenda, with a slight critique of open primaries, in which she currently favors a semi-open primary model. Lee has been an ally of Citizens Union while in office, earning our preference in 2022 and this year, in 2026. While in office, she passed a law requiring the NYC Board of Elections to notify local parties and elected officials of polling site changes, and she introduced a bill to rein in public spending on litigation, following the reports of millions paid to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s defense attorneys. Her campaign has built notable backing, earning endorsements from every elected official overlapping the district, and she will be an effective advocate for her constituents on day one. Citizens Union prefers Grace Lee in this race.

Yuh-Line Niou is a consultant and the former Assembly Member for Assembly District 65 from 2017 through 2022. She has worked directly with Citizens Union on bills related to campaign finance and election issues, and her interview demonstrated that track record clearly, with specific, detailed answers about CU’s priorities. Citizens Union found her depth of knowledge on good government issues genuine and her commitment to CU’s reform agenda a clear priority. Citizens Union encourages her to remain involved in her community and appreciates her voice on good government reform.