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Asm. Michael Benedetto
District 82
Democrat
First elected 2004
Michael Benedetto represents AD-82, a D+50 district in which Democrats hold a 63.3% voter registration advantage over Republicans at 13.7%, with 19.7% enrolled as Independent; the district is 41.7% Hispanic, 29.4% white, and 26.5% Black, with a median household income of $71,652 and a homeownership rate of 44.9%. First elected in 2004, Benedetto won his 2024 general election by a 37.8-point margin over Juan De La Cruz, and his 2026 outlook is rated Safe D across all modeled electoral environments, with a base lean of D+44. In the 2025 session, Benedetto sponsored 31 bills, with Education as his dominant focus area at 11 bills, followed by Penal, Private Housing Finance, Public Health, and Resolutions at 2 bills each, and single bills in General Municipal and Parks. No committee chairmanship or lobbying sector data is listed in this brief.AI
Vulnerability Index AD-82
Base lean: D+44
Favorable D
Neutral
Favorable R
Scenario model: ±5pt national environment shift applied to district base lean (D+44). Base lean blends voter registration (40%) with recent contested general election margins (60%), using up to the last 4 general elections with margins under 40 points. Ratings: Safe D/R = 15+ pts, Likely = 8–14 pts, Lean = 3–7 pts, Toss-up = within 2 pts. Generic ballot from Silver Bulletin (Nate Silver), as of 5/1/2026. Not a prediction — reflects structural competitiveness under different cycle environments.
Electoral History AD-82
General Elections
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Michael Benedetto 68.9% (29,668) | Juan De La Cruz 31.1% (13,362) | 37.8pts |
| 2022 | Michael R. Benedetto 66.3% (19,197) | John M. Greaney, Jr. 33.7% (9,775) | 32.6pts |
| 2020 | Michael R. Benedetto 74.4% (38,120) | John A. DeStefano 22.9% (11,744) | 51.5pts |
| 2018 | Michael R. Benedetto 81.8% (28,227) | Elizabeth A. English 16.0% (5,509) | 65.8pts |
| 2016 | Michael R. Benedetto 81.0% (31,091) | Noel Lopez 14.9% (5,737) | 66.1pts |
| 2014 | Michael R. Benedetto 82.2% (15,214) | Michael J. Eginton 13.1% (2,417) | 69.1pts |
| 2012 | Michael R. Benedetto 84.7% (32,082) | William E. Britt, Jr. 15.3% (5,804) | 69.4pts |
| 2010 | Michael R. Benedetto 73.1% (17,035) | Michael A. Rendino 26.9% (6,257) | 46.2pts |
| 2008 | Michael R. Benedetto 82.9% (29,619) | Raymond Capone 17.1% (6,092) | 65.8pts |
| 2006 | Michael R. Benedetto 81.4% (16,632) | Raymond Capone 18.6% (3,795) | 62.8pts |
| 2004 | Michael R. Benedetto 76.2% (22,953) | Raymond Capone 23.8% (7,166) | 52.4pts |
| 2002 | Stephen B. Kaufman 80.6% (15,595) | Sarah Tuttle 19.4% (3,764) | 61.2pts |
| 2000 | Stephen B. Kaufman 82.8% (23,552) | Sarah Tuttle 17.2% (4,902) | 65.6pts |
| 1998 | Stephen B. Kaufman 75.5% (16,862) | Sarah Tuttle 15.8% (3,536) | 59.7pts |
| 1996 | Stephen B. Kaufman 62.9% (21,190) | John J. Calandra 37.1% (12,519) | 25.8pts |
Primary Elections
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (Democratic) | Michael R. Benedetto 87.1% (13,304) | Egidio Sementilli 12.9% (1,963) | 74.2pts |
Source: NYS Board of Elections certified results. ⚡ = margin under 10 pts. District history reflects 2022 redistricted boundaries.
Voter Registration
District 82 Profile
Population
127,286
Median income
$71,652
Median rent
$1,663
Homeownership
44.9%
Education (BA+)
30.4%
Poverty rate
13.3%
Uninsured rate
4.5%
Unemployment rate
7.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024).
Demographics
White
29.4%
Black
26.5%
Hispanic
41.7%
Asian
6.9%
Median age
40.6
Foreign born
25.2%
Limited English households
8.6%
Veterans
2.6%
Disability rate
15.5%
Commute Mode
Drive alone
38.8%
Public transit
35.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2024). Race and ethnicity figures may not sum to 100% — Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity category that overlaps with racial groups.
Legislative Activity (2025–2026)
Bills sponsored
31
Floor debate appearances
15
Years in office
22
Bill sponsorship from NYS Open Legislation API. Joint hearing appearances from NYS Senate hearing transcripts.
Floor Session Activity 2025–2026
A06559-C
PASSED
2026-02-26
An act to amend the Veterans' Services Law, in relation to establishing a Veterans' Bill of Rights
The Assembly passed A06559-C, sponsored by Assemblymembers Benedetto, Griffin, and Angelino, establishing a Veterans' Bill of Rights under the Veterans' Services Law. The bill takes effect on the 90th day and was advanced on consent without debate.
A06559-B
PASSED
2025-05-21
An act to amend the Veterans' Services Law, in relation to the establishing a Veteran's Bill of Rights
A04938
PASSED
2025-05-05
An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to providing protections for telecommunications tower technicians
A00814 / S9760
PASSED
2025-01-28
An act to amend the Public Health Law, in relation to the safe storage of firearms and child access prevention
A09581
PASSED
2024-05-23
An act to amend the Public Authorities Law, in relation to certain contracts of the New York City School Construction Authority; extending Wicks Law exemption for five years
The Assembly passed A09581, sponsored by Assemblymember Benedetto, extending the New York City School Construction Authority's exemption from the Wicks Law for another five years. The exemption, in place since 1989, allows the SCA to contract with a single construction company rather than requiring separate bids for different project components, enabling faster completion. Debate focused on labor protections for projects under $25 million that fall outside PLA requirements. Benedetto argued the exemption has proven effective and that labor protections remain through prevailing wage requirements and union worker agreements. Assemblymember Durso raised concerns about inadequate labor standards for smaller projects, while Assemblymember Goodell supported the bill and suggested other municipalities deserve similar flexibility.
A09849
PASSED
2024-05-15
An act to amend the Education Law, in relation to annual professional performance reviews of teachers and principals; and to repeal section 3020-b of the Education Law relating to streamlined removal procedures for teachers rated ineffective
The Assembly passed legislation repealing controversial teacher evaluation measures imposed in the 2015 budget. Sponsored by Asm. Benedetto and co-sponsored by multiple members, the bill restores local control over teacher performance reviews and eliminates the streamlined removal procedures for teachers rated ineffective. Supporters argued the previous system was arbitrary and punitive, focusing on firing rather than good instruction. Asm. Ra noted the former Governor's evaluation system was 'dumb' and 'punitive,' while Asm. Conrad highlighted how art and foreign language teachers were inappropriately evaluated on math and science scores. The bill passed without opposition.
A08799-D / S08799-D
PASSED
2024-04-19
Budget Bill (Aid to Localities and related appropriations)
The New York State Assembly passed its comprehensive budget bill on April 19, including major provisions on education, housing, and public safety. The legislation restores Foundation Aid and Hold Harmless provisions for schools, expands the Tuition Assistance Program to a $125,000 income threshold, and mandates universal FASFA adoption for college students. The budget includes Sammy's Law, granting New York City authority to reduce speed limits to 20 mph in response to traffic fatalities. Housing provisions include Good Cause Eviction protections with opt-in authority for localities outside NYC, legalization of basement apartments (ADUs), and tax incentives for affordable housing development. The bill also includes a media tax credit for local journalism, $500 million for clean water infrastructure, Tier 6 pension improvements, and increased AIM funding for municipalities. Some Republicans and progressive Democrats expressed concerns about Good Cause Eviction implementation, FAR cap changes affecting community input in zoning decisions, and insufficient environmental protections. The bill passed with broad support from the majority.
A08799-D
PASSED
2024-04-19
Aid to Localities Budget (includes housing, education, tenant protections, Sammy's Law, and media tax credit)
The New York State Assembly passed its Aid to Localities budget on April 19, 2024, with extensive floor debate reflecting both support and concerns about major policy provisions. The budget restores Foundation Aid and Hold Harmless provisions for schools, expands the Tuition Assistance Program to a $125,000 income threshold, and requires universal FASFA completion for higher education access. On housing, the budget includes Good Cause Eviction protections with opt-in provisions for upstate localities, accessory dwelling unit incentives, and programs to address basement apartment legalization and affordable housing development. The budget also includes Sammy's Law, enabling New York City to reduce speed limits to 20 mph in response to traffic safety concerns, and establishes a media tax credit to support struggling local journalism outlets. Additional provisions include Tier 6 pension improvements, first increase in AIM funding to municipalities in many years, and $500 million in clean water infrastructure funding. Opponents raised concerns about Good Cause Eviction's long-term affordability impacts, insufficient IAI reimbursement levels, and lack of environmental protections. The bill passed with multiple members voting in the affirmative, though some Republicans and progressive Democrats voted against or expressed reservations.
A09469
PASSED
2024-04-09
An act to amend Chapter 374 of the Laws of 2014 amending the Education Law relating to the leasing of real property by boards of cooperative educational services, in relation to extending the effectiveness thereof
A09470
PASSED
2024-04-09
An act to amend Chapter 396 of the Laws of 2012 amending the Education Law relating to service to out-of-state school districts by boards of cooperative educational services, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
A08539 / S08025
PASSED
2024-01-30
An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to prohibiting residential and commercial properties from erecting or installing digital billboards or signs that use flashing, intermittent or moving lights near certain Mitchell-Lama housing
The Assembly passed S08025/A08539, a Chapter Amendment sponsored by Asm. Benedetto that clarifies and refines a 2023 law prohibiting digital billboards with flashing, intermittent, or moving lights within 1,000 feet of Mitchell-Lama housing in Co-op City, a Bronx residential complex with approximately 50,000 residents. The amendment targets a small triangular area of property near the housing complex. Mr. Goodell opposed the measure on First Amendment grounds, arguing the 1,000-foot prohibition is overly broad because it bars billboards even if they cannot be seen from the apartments. He contended the bill should be narrowed to only billboards visible from the units to comply with constitutional requirements for narrow tailoring of speech restrictions. Mr. Benedetto defended the bill, noting it allows non-lit billboards and that a major shopping mall just outside the restricted zone can still display signage. The bill passed.
A07456-A
PASSED
2023-06-10
An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to prohibiting residential and commercial properties from operating digital billboards or signs that use flashing, intermittent or moving lights near certain Mitchell-Lama housing
A07258-A
PASSED
2023-06-05
Replacing the words 'handicapping conditions' with the word 'disabilities' in the Education Law
A02866
LAID ASIDE
2023-05-08
An act to amend the Insurance law, in relation to homeowners insurance deductibles triggers.
A00980
PASSED
2023-01-24
Relating to dates of commencement of membership of certain positions of school governance in the City of New York
Source: Official NY Assembly floor session transcripts (Granicus). AI-processed. Includes sessions from 2023 onward where transcripts are available.
Bill Focus Areas 2025–2026
bills
bills
bills
bills
bills
bills
bills
bills
Grouped by law section from sponsored Assembly bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation API.
Lobbying Activity
No lobbying disclosures on record for this member in the available dataset (JCOPE filings targeting Assembly members).
Source: NY Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government via data.ny.gov.