Asm. Scott Gray — The Commons Gallery

Scott Gray represents AD-116, a R+10 district in New York State where Republicans hold a 39.0% to 28.6% registration advantage over Democrats, with 26.2% enrolled as Independents. First elected in 2023, Gray ran largely unopposed in 2024, capturing 76.7% against a blank enrollment candidate for a 53.4-point margin; the district's competitive history predates his tenure, with races in 2018, 2016, and 2014 all decided by margins of 6.6 points or fewer. Under the 2026 scenario model, the district rates as Likely R in a neutral environment and Safe R in a favorable Republican environment, with a base lean of R+13. The district is predominantly white (88.7%), with a median household income of $65,558, a 15.9% poverty rate, and a 64.5% homeownership rate, consistent with a rural or small-city character in northern New York. Gray sponsored 73 bills in the 2025 session, with Education (7 bills), Penal (6 bills), and Vehicle and Traffic (6 bills) representing his top three focus areas; Correction (4 bills) and Public Officers (4 bills) also featured prominently in his legislative portfolio.AI

Vulnerability Index AD-116

Base lean: R+13

Favorable D

Lean R

Neutral

Likely R

Favorable R

Safe R

Limited contested election data — registration lean used as primary signal

Scenario model: ±5pt national environment shift applied to district base lean (R+13). 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-116

General Elections

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Margin
2024	Scott A. Gray 76.7% (43,672)	Blank Enrollment 23.3% (13,266)	53.4pts
2022	Scott A. Gray 70.5% (25,288)	Susan M. Duffy 29.5% (10,586)	41.0pts
2020	Mark C. Walczyk 62.8% (33,023)	Alex V. Hammond 37.2% (19,603)	25.6pts
2018	Mark C. Walczyk 53.3% (20,998)	Addie A. E. Jenne 46.7% (18,415)	⚡ 6.6pts
2016	Addie Jenne Russell 53.2% (24,473)	John Byrne 46.8% (21,509)	⚡ 6.4pts
2014	Addie Jenne Russell 47.7% (14,667)	John L. Byrne, III 47.4% (14,572)	⚡ 0.3pts
2012	Addie Jenne Russell 100.0% (33,329)	Uncontested	—
2011	Anthony J. Brindisi 59.3% (9,001)	Gregory Johnson 40.4% (6,133)	18.9pts
2010	Ro Ann M. Destito 59.5% (18,709)	Gregory J. Johnson 40.5% (12,724)	19.0pts
2008	Ro Ann M. Destito 67.9% (27,226)	Kevin W. McDonald 32.1% (12,843)	35.8pts
2006	Ro Ann M. Destito 100.0% (21,319)	Uncontested	—
2004	Ro Ann M. Destito 77.3% (27,267)	John E. Dote 22.7% (8,011)	54.6pts
2002	Ro Ann M. Destito 67.7% (21,495)	Joseph J. Brennan 32.3% (10,244)	35.4pts
2000	Roann M. Destito 89.0% (20,232)	John Arena 11.0% (2,502)	78.0pts
1998	Ro Ann Destito 73.4% (19,727)	Malcolm R. Didio 26.6% (7,146)	46.8pts
1996	Roann M. Destito 62.7% (21,120)	А. Sandra Caruso 37.3% (12,567)	25.4pts

Primary Elections

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Margin
2022 (Republican)	Scott A. Gray 53.1% (3,473)	Susan M. Duffy 46.9% (3,069)	⚡ 6.2pts
2016 (Republican)	John Byrne 42.2% (1,848)	William J. Sheridan 41.1% (1,798)	⚡ 1.1pts
2014 (Republican)	John L. Byrne, III 66.1% (2,475)	John S. Humphrey 29.5% (1,103)	36.6pts
2014 (Conservative)	Russell J. Finley 48.9% (68)	John L. Byrne, III 21.6% (30)	27.3pts

Source: NYS Board of Elections certified results. ⚡ = margin under 10 pts. District history reflects 2022 redistricted boundaries.

Voter Registration

29%

39%

32%

Dem 28.6% Rep 39.0% Ind/Other 32.4%

District 116 Profile

Population 135,672

Median income $65,558

Median rent $908

Homeownership 64.5%

Education (BA+) 27.9%

Poverty rate 15.9%

Uninsured rate 6.0%

Unemployment rate 5.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024).

Demographics

White 88.7%

Black 2.8%

Hispanic 3.6%

Asian 1.7%

Median age 38.7

Foreign born 4.1%

Limited English households 0.8%

Veterans 8.6%

Disability rate 16.8%

Commute Mode

Drive alone 75.9%

Public transit 0.4%

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)

73

11

Years in office 3

Bill sponsorship from NYS Open Legislation API. Joint hearing appearances from NYS Senate hearing transcripts.

Floor Session Activity 2025–2026

A09462 / S08417 2026-03-31

Chapter amendment postponing effective date of 100-foot rule repeal for gas service hookups

The Assembly debated A09462, a chapter amendment postponing the effective date of legislation removing the 100-foot rule for new residential gas service hookups from December 2025 to December 2026. Sponsor Assemblywoman Simon argued the delay allows time for implementation while claiming the underlying law will save ratepayers $600 million annually by shifting hookup costs from existing customers to new applicants. Opponents including Assemblyman Lemondes cited detailed opposition letters from National Fuel and the New York State Laborers' PAC warning of increased ratepayer costs, job losses, and grid reliability threats. Assemblyman Palmesano argued the bill makes energy less affordable and eliminates options for customers wanting to convert from oil heating to natural gas, citing a poll showing 71% of New Yorkers oppose a natural gas ban. Acting Speaker Hunter limited debate to the effective date change, ruling questions about the underlying bill's merits out of order, drawing an objection from Assemblywoman Walsh on free speech grounds.

A09462 / S08417 2026-03-31

Chapter amendment postponing effective date of 100-foot rule repeal for gas service hookups

The Assembly debated A09462, a chapter amendment delaying the effective date of legislation eliminating the 100-foot rule for new residential gas service hookups. Sponsor Asm. Simon argued the one-year delay will ultimately save ratepayers $600 million annually by requiring new customers to pay for their own hookups rather than spreading costs across all ratepayers. However, opponents including Asm. Lemondes, Asm. Gray, and Asm. Palmesano raised concerns about increased energy costs and limited consumer choice. Lemondes cited opposition letters from National Fuel and the New York State Laborers' PAC warning of higher ratepayer costs and reduced construction jobs. Palmesano noted the bill will make it more expensive for customers to convert from oil heating to natural gas and cited polling showing 71% of New Yorkers oppose a natural gas ban. The Speaker limited debate to the effective date change, ruling questions about the underlying policy not germane to the chapter amendment.

A01410 PASSED 2026-03-24

Utility emergency response plan time-based restoration guidelines

The Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Asm. Otis requiring the Public Service Commission to establish time-based restoration guidelines for utility emergency response plans following storms. Otis argued utilities do not adequately staff or contract to restore service quickly enough and that the Legislature should direct the PSC on this issue. Opponents Asm. Gray and Asm. Palmesano argued the bill would increase utility costs passed to ratepayers and that existing PSC authority and statutory frameworks already incentivize restoration and penalize delays. Palmesano emphasized that generic time-based targets fail to account for storm-specific circumstances—such as damage severity, flooding, ice, and snow removal needs—that utilities cannot assess until arriving at the scene. He stressed that worker safety must be the first priority and that utilities already have financial incentives to restore service quickly. Otis noted that ten Minority members voted for the bill in the prior year. The Majority Conference voted in favor; the Minority Conference voted against with some exceptions.

A01012-A 2026-03-18

EV Fast Charging Station Implementation Plan

The Assembly considered legislation requiring NYSERDA to develop a comprehensive electric vehicle fast charging station implementation plan. The bill, introduced for three consecutive years and passed by the Assembly each time, was vetoed by the Governor in 2024 as a study bill. This version extends the working group's timeline from six to 24 months and incorporates findings from a 2024 budget-mandated evaluation to prevent duplicative work. Sponsor Assemblywoman Barrett argued the bill creates a unified statewide approach to consolidate fragmented efforts including the EV Make-Ready Program, NYSERDA's Charge Ready 2.0, and NYPA's EvolveNY. Assemblyman Gray questioned whether the bill constitutes a study despite the sponsor's characterization, whether NYSERDA needs legislative mandate given its existing broad authority, and whether adequate data exists on charging station gaps and utilization rates before asking ratepayers to fund additional spending.

A08022-A PASSED 2026-02-09

An act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in relation to requiring certain covered platforms to provide a process for law enforcement agencies to contact such platform and to comply with search warrants within 72 hours

A08187-A PASSED 2024-06-06

Highway Law - designating portion of state highway system as 'Michael J. Finerson Memorial Bridge'

A08808-C PASSED 2024-04-18

Budget Bill - Part PP of Chapter 54 of the Laws of 2016 and related amendments to Public Authorities Law, General Municipal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Insurance Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Economic Development Law, and other provisions

The New York State Assembly passed the omnibus budget bill (A08808-C) on April 18, 2024, after extensive floor debate over multiple policy provisions. The bill includes significant public safety measures, including the SMOKEOUT Act to enforce against illegal cannabis shops, expanded hate crimes protections, and retail theft provisions addressing organized retail crime. However, the measure proved contentious over provisions to close up to five state prisons with only 90 days' notice to affected corrections officers and communities. Supporters, including Assemblymembers Rajkumar, Epstein, Lee, and Zaccaro, celebrated the cannabis enforcement provisions, with Rajkumar announcing plans to raid and padlock illegal smoke shops across New York City. Opponents, including Assemblymembers Palmesano, Manktelow, Maher, and Lemondes, criticized the prison closures as unconscionable given the corrections workforce crisis and economic impact on rural communities. Assemblymember Lavine defended bail reform provisions, explaining that judges retain authority to set bail for repeat offenders. The bill also extends alcohol-to-go sales for five additional years, drawing criticism from members including Glick and Peoples-Stokes who questioned the policy's appropriateness.

A06953 PASSED 2023-06-20

An act relating to a moratorium on in rem tax foreclosures in response to the Tyler/Hennepin Supreme Court decision

The Assembly passed legislation on Tuesday imposing a one-year moratorium on in rem tax foreclosures for municipalities not yet in compliance with a recent New York Court of Appeals decision requiring the return of surplus foreclosure proceeds to homeowners. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Hunter, the bill codifies what the court has already mandated and gives municipalities time to establish compliant processes while the Legislature addresses constitutional issues under Article XI affecting non-charter counties. Supporters, including Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes, argued the moratorium is necessary to prevent homeowners from losing significant property equity, noting that thousands have already been harmed under the old system. Opponents, including Assemblymen Ra, Gray, and Fahy, contended the moratorium is unnecessary because municipalities are already bound by the court decision and can proceed with foreclosures while complying; they warned the delay will only increase delinquent taxes and late fees, ultimately reducing the surplus returned to homeowners. The Democratic Conference generally supported the bill while the Republican Conference opposed it, though members of both parties were permitted to vote their conscience.

A05128 / S____ PASSED 2023-06-09

An act to amend the Highway Law, in relation to designating a portion of the state highway system as the "Firefighter Peyton L. S. Morse Memorial Highway"

The Assembly passed legislation designating a state highway as the Firefighter Peyton L. S. Morse Memorial Highway. Sponsored by Assemblyman Gray, the bill honors Morse, a volunteer firefighter who died in the line of duty in March 2021 while training with the Watertown Fire Department. Gray detailed Morse's service in the La Fargeville and Watertown fire departments and his community involvement. Assemblyman Jensen supported the memorial as a way to honor fallen service members—including law enforcement, military, firefighters, and EMS personnel—with the dignity and respect their service deserves.

A05014 PASSED 2023-05-24

An act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law, in relation to designating as peace officers certain Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority security personnel

Assembly passed A05014, sponsored by Asm. Gray, designating Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority security personnel as peace officers. Gray's first bill passed with applause from colleagues.

A05021-A PASSED 2023-05-24

An act to amend the Tax Law, in relation to extending the authorization granted to the County of St. Lawrence to impose an additional one percent of sales and compensating use taxes

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

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.