Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) and the Assembly Minority Conference today welcomed 13 new Members during a public swearing-in ceremony in Hearing Room B of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. The new legislators took their oaths of office among family, friends, elected officials and other dignitaries.

“I am looking forward to working with our newest Assembly Minority Conference Members. They bring a diverse set of skills, career backgrounds and interests that will help us deliver real results for their constituents and for the residents of this state,” said Leader Barclay. “New York stands to benefit a great deal from the hard work and dedication of these new additions to the Legislature, and I am eager to see all they will accomplish in the coming months and years. Without a doubt, the Members of our Conference are returning to Albany with an even stronger voice to advocate for the people they serve.”

The new Members sworn in by the Honorable James E. Walsh, Esq. are as follows:

• Assemblyman Anil Beephan Jr. (R,C-East Fishkill), 105th A.D.
• Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake), 107th A.D.
• Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz (R,C-Oyster Bay), 15th A.D.
• Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (R,C-Coney Island), 46th A.D.
• Assemblyman Lester Chang (R,C-Brooklyn), 49th A.D.
• Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st A.D.)
• Assemblyman Ed Flood (R,C-Port Jefferson), 4th A.D.
• Assemblyman Scott Gray (R,C,I-Watertown), 116th A.D.
• Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden), 101st A.D.
• Assemblyman John McGowan (R,C-Rockland), 97th A.D.
• Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (R-Brooklyn), 45th A.D.
• Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Staten Island), 63rd A.D.
• Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown), 94th A.D.

“While serving in the Assembly, I will work tirelessly to provide accessible representation to my constituents in the 105th Assembly District, while advocating for all New Yorkers,” said Assemblyman Beephan. “Public safety, wasteful spending and onerous taxes are major problems affecting our residents, and they must be addressed immediately. I’m also committed to fighting for policies to make our region and state more energy independent. As we begin the 2023 Legislative Session, I look forward to working with my new colleagues on practical, effective solutions to these issues.”

“I am honored to be able to serve the constituents of 107th Assembly District. While my district spans four different counties, there are simply too many New Yorkers across the state whose interests are being pushed aside in favor of politics and gamesmanship. I will work diligently to reverse this troubling trend for every one of them,” said Assemblyman Bendett. “As legislators, we have a duty to protect all New Yorkers and that is exactly what I am going to do during my time serving in this body. I look forward to advocating for better resources for those in need, our small-business community and greater investment in programs for the state’s youth.”

“New York has so much to offer its residents, but we have been trending in the wrong direction for too long. Taxes are too high, and middle-class families are being forced to struggle against the tide just to stay afloat,” said Assemblyman Blumencranz. “My constituents elected me to represent them in Albany and change all that. I give them my word, with my new colleagues in the Legislature, I will work day-in and day-out to ease their burdens and make our state a better, safer place to live, work and raise a family.”

“I am grateful to the constituents of the 46th Assembly District for trusting me to be their voice in Albany,” said Assemblyman Brook-Krasny. “I felt compelled to return to the Assembly to fix New York’s broken criminal justice system and fight for the hard working people I represent by helping secure and provide them with the tools necessary to be successful. I am excited to get back to work alongside my new colleagues to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy.”

“I am humbled by the support I have received from across New York state, and especially to those who voted for me in this past election,” said Assemblyman Chang. “I am ready to work on behalf of the people of my district and beyond, especially our veterans and our homeless population who often do not receive the services they need. It has been an interesting few weeks, but nonetheless being elected to this position is the honor of a lifetime and I promise not to let down the voters in my district or the residents of New York.”

“Contemplating returning to the Assembly was not a decision I made lightly, but we must address the issues now facing New Yorkers and I am committed to being a part of the solution, not the problem,” said Assemblyman Curran. “My goal is to prioritize the issues that matter most to Long Islanders, such as crime and safety, and fight for New Yorkers to ensure they have everything they need to stay here and succeed. We must commit to supporting policies that provide a better quality of life for those who call New York their home.”

“I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to help improve our state as a member of the Assembly. There is no shortage of challenges facing New York, and it will take a full-team effort by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and the governor to address and remedy these issues,” said Assemblyman Flood. “The people of Long Island have endured a toxic tax climate and inadequate public safety for too long. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and bring about the positive changes New Yorkers have repeatedly asked for.”

“On day one of my service in the Legislature, I will begin fighting for the middle-class families and small-business owners under siege here in New York. This year, we must refocus our energy and efforts on reducing the numerous burdens holding back our great state. New Yorkers should not have to leave our state for better opportunities when we have the potential to provide better opportunities here,” said Assemblyman Gray. “The voters of the 116th Assembly District sent me to Albany to represent their best interests, and I will work tirelessly to make St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties better places to live and work.” 

“It is an honor to represent the people of the 101st Assembly District. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to create positive opportunities for New Yorkers by improving the economy, retaining youth in our state, taking crime seriously and addressing opioid addiction,” said Assemblyman Maher. “New York families desire a new approach to the big challenges facing our communities. We have a real opportunity to make meaningful changes that provide New Yorkers with renewed optimism for a better, safer and more affordable place to call home.”

“As we’ve turned the corner into 2023, there is so much at stake – crime is still sky-high, the cost of living is too great and New Yorkers in every corner of the state are still feeling the crushing weight of inflation,” said Assemblyman McGowan. “My constituents elected me to protect their interests, and that is exactly what I am going to do while in the Assembly. I have spent my entire career studying the law, and I look forward to bringing my passion and experience to the Legislature this session.”

“As an immigrant American, I could never have imagined I’d have the opportunity to one day serve in the New York State Assembly,” said Assemblyman Novakhov. “It is truly my esteemed honor to have been elected to serve my community. There is much to do, and I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to address the critical issues facing our state and to help New York thrive.”

“In recent years, the New York State Legislature has failed to prioritize what is important to the average Staten Island resident. Public safety concerns, property tax reforms and the integrity of our public-school systems have been notoriously neglected. These are just a few of the many failures that have inspired my desire to seek public office. Elected officials in New York can no longer afford the luxury of ignoring the multitude of safety issues plaguing our communities. Coupled with the financial burdens shouldered by households across New York state, these matters cannot just be put on the back burner anymore. I intend to bring the people’s points of concern into the Chamber this upcoming legislative session. And with that, I am humbled by the privilege of representing you,” said Assemblyman Pirozzolo. “Now is the time to hit the ground running and tackle these issues to revitalize our communities, rejuvenate the economy and turn the tides in favor of New Yorkers, not One-Party-run state leadership.”

“Representing my neighbors from Yorktown and the surrounding Putnam and Westchester county communities within the 94th Assembly District is an honor and privilege that I do not take lightly,” said Assemblyman Slater. “We have much work to do, and I am eager to hit the ground running to be a strong advocate for our veterans, combat the opioid epidemic, support the law enforcement community and work to make New York an affordable place for us all.”

Editor’s Note: Biographies and headshots of the 13 new Members are available upon request by calling the Office of Public Affairs at (518) 455-5073.