Queens voters returned Democratic incumbents to office in Tuesday’s general election while choosing new representatives for several open legislative seats. The Queens election results 2026 showed Democrats winning congressional and state legislative contests across the borough, with most races decided by comfortable margins. A few contests were closer, offering a more detailed picture of how different Queens neighborhoods voted and who will represent them in Albany.

The November 3 election brought together established lawmakers, first-time winners, and candidates representing different wings of the Democratic Party. Democratic socialists won alongside more traditional party candidates, while Republican challengers struggled to gain ground in much of the borough.

By Wednesday morning, preliminary results from the New York City Board of Elections showed a broad Democratic sweep, although the margins varied considerably from district to district.

For Queens residents, the results mean a combination of continuity and change. Familiar representatives will return to their legislative responsibilities, while newly elected Assembly members will begin building relationships with the communities they now serve.

The election also brought a historic first in political representation, adding another dimension to a night largely defined by Democratic victories.

Democrats Maintain Their Strong Position Across Queens

Democrats entered the November election with a strong presence in Queens politics, and Tuesday’s results largely preserved that position.

Across congressional and state legislative districts, Democratic candidates defeated Republican opponents. Incumbents retained their seats in several races, while Democratic candidates also captured open Assembly districts where voters were choosing new representatives.

As reported by the Queens Eagle, the results reflected Democratic strength throughout the borough’s congressional and state legislative elections.

Still, the victories did not all look alike.

Some incumbents won overwhelming support, while other races introduced new lawmakers whose political approaches may differ from those of their predecessors.

The successful candidates included Democrats from different parts of the party’s political spectrum, including democratic socialists.

That variety will be part of the borough’s legislative representation in the coming session. Although these candidates share a party affiliation, they bring different experiences and priorities to their positions.

Winning an election is also just the beginning of a representative’s work. The everyday responsibilities of public office involve constituent services, committee assignments, legislation, and relationships with colleagues.

For newly elected members, much of that work is still ahead.

A Close Contest in Assembly District 23

One of the borough’s more competitive races took place in Assembly District 23, where Democrat Pesach Osina faced Republican Tom Sullivan for an open seat.

Unlike many of the other legislative contests in Queens, this race produced a relatively narrow margin.

Preliminary results released Wednesday morning by the New York City Board of Elections showed Osina receiving 51.9% of the vote, with 97.1% of ballots counted.

That placed Osina ahead of Sullivan and positioned him to join the borough’s Democratic Assembly delegation.

The result stood out because of how competitive the contest remained compared with other Queens races.

While Democratic candidates elsewhere were winning by substantial margins, Assembly District 23 showed how voting patterns can differ from one neighborhood to another.

Even within a borough that generally favors one party, individual districts have their own political character.

For Osina, the apparent victory marks the beginning of a new responsibility: representing a district where voters were more closely divided than in many surrounding contests.

Once in office, his responsibilities will include responding to constituent concerns, participating in legislative decisions, and working with residents on matters involving state government.

Those everyday responsibilities are often where residents have the most direct contact with their elected representatives.

David Orkin Wins Assembly District 38

In Assembly District 38, the result was much more decisive.

Democratic socialist David Orkin defeated Republican Ruben Cruz II, receiving 73.3% of the vote according to preliminary Board of Elections results.

Cruz, a member of Community Board 9 and an area leader, entered the race with experience in local civic and political activity. Orkin nevertheless finished with a substantial lead.

The victory makes Orkin one of the newly elected Democrats who will represent Queens in the New York State Assembly.

It also illustrates the range of Democratic candidates who found success across the borough.

Orkin’s identification as a democratic socialist distinguishes his political approach from that of some other Democratic lawmakers. Tuesday’s results showed that candidates from different parts of the party could find electoral support in their respective districts.

For voters, the immediate outcome is straightforward. Assembly District 38 will have a new representative in Albany.

What that representation looks like in practice will become clearer as Orkin takes office and begins serving the district.

State lawmakers do more than participate in legislative debates and votes. Their offices also assist residents with state agencies, respond to questions about government programs, and help constituents navigate administrative matters.

For many residents, those services are the most familiar part of a lawmaker’s work.

A question about an application, a problem involving a state agency, or a request for information can bring someone into contact with a district office.

These routine interactions will become part of Orkin’s responsibilities as he begins his first term.

Queens Senate Incumbents Hold Their Seats

The Democratic victories extended beyond the Assembly.

Queens Democratic state senators also secured reelection, maintaining the party’s strong position within the borough’s Senate delegation.

Among the clearest results was the contest in Senate District 15, where incumbent Joseph Addabbo defeated Conservative candidate Danniel Maio.

According to unofficial Board of Elections results, Addabbo received more than 80% of the vote.

The substantial margin returned an established lawmaker to office with strong electoral support in his district.

Addabbo celebrated his victory alongside other Queens Democratic leaders in Ozone Park, where an election-night gathering brought together members of the borough’s political community.

For returning senators, reelection means continuing work already underway rather than beginning an entirely new relationship with their districts.

Incumbents bring established constituent-service operations and experience with the legislative process. Their reelection allows those offices to continue serving residents without the transition that comes when a new representative takes over.

At the same time, the arrival of new Assembly members means the broader Queens legislative delegation will include both experienced officeholders and newcomers.

That combination is a familiar feature of elections, even in years when one political party wins nearly every major contest.

A Historic First in New York Representation

Beyond the individual races, the election also marked an important milestone in New York’s political history.

The Queens legislative results included the election of the first Palestinian elected official in New York history, according to the Queens Eagle’s election coverage.

That distinction adds a new chapter to the state’s history of political representation.

Queens has long been home to communities with different languages, cultural backgrounds, and family histories. Its elected representatives serve neighborhoods with a wide range of experiences and concerns.

The milestone is another development in the changing composition of New York’s elected government.

While the overall results showed Democrats maintaining their electoral advantage, the election also brought new representatives into the institutions responsible for making state laws.

Newly elected officials will take on the same responsibilities as their colleagues, including constituent services, legislative work, and communication with the communities they represent.

Elections also become part of the historical record, documenting changes in who holds public office.

This year’s Queens results included one such moment.

Other Notable Results Across the Borough

Beyond the individual Assembly and Senate contests, the congressional results followed the same general pattern.

Democratic candidates retained their strong position in Queens congressional races, contributing to the boroughwide sweep reported after Tuesday’s election.

The congressional results provided continuity at the federal level, while the open Assembly contests introduced changes in the borough’s representation in state government.

Those different outcomes are part of the larger election picture.

For residents, congressional and state legislative offices serve different purposes. Members of Congress work on federal legislation and assist constituents with federal agencies, while state lawmakers address legislation and services involving New York State.

Both maintain connections with the neighborhoods they represent.

The election results determine which officials residents will contact when they need assistance or want to share concerns about legislation.

With most races producing clear margins, attention now turns to the final vote counts and the transition into the next term.

What Comes After Election Night

By Wednesday morning, the broad picture of the November 3 election was clear.

Democrats had won across Queens, retaining congressional and state legislative seats while adding new representatives in open Assembly contests.

Pesach Osina led a comparatively close race in Assembly District 23. David Orkin won decisively in Assembly District 38. Joseph Addabbo returned to the State Senate with more than 80% of the vote.

The borough’s election results also included a historic milestone for Palestinian representation in New York.

The preliminary nature of some returns remains worth remembering. Official election results follow the completion of ballot counting and certification, and final totals can differ from the numbers reported immediately after Election Day.

For residents who follow local elections, the next developments will be less about campaign results and more about the transition into governing.

New representatives will prepare to take office. Returning lawmakers will resume familiar responsibilities. District offices will continue handling the everyday questions and concerns that connect residents with state government.

Much of that work happens far from the attention surrounding an election.

It takes place through phone calls, constituent appointments, neighborhood meetings, and the ongoing coordination required to address local concerns.

For those of us following Queens news, these quieter parts of public service are worth remembering. An election determines who holds an office, but residents often come to know their representatives through ordinary requests for assistance and conversations about neighborhood needs.

The coming months will give newly elected lawmakers opportunities to establish those connections, while returning representatives continue relationships built over previous terms.

Tuesday’s election established who will carry out those responsibilities for much of Queens, pending certification of the results.

The larger story will unfold as familiar lawmakers return to Albany and new members begin learning the rhythms of representing their communities.

For now, Queens has completed another election, with some familiar names returning and several new ones joining them.

As the campaign signs come down and the routines of neighborhood life continue, the work of representation moves from election season into the everyday business of serving our communities.