Asm. Kwani O'Pharrow — The Commons Gallery

Kwani O'Pharrow represents AD-11, a district rated D+19 but with a demonstrated history of competitive general elections — O'Pharrow won the 2024 race by just 1.6 points over Joseph R. Cardinale (50.8% to 49.2%), and predecessor Kimberly Jean-Pierre won by only 0.8 points in 2022, making this one of the more electorally volatile districts despite its partisan lean. The district is majority-homeowner (77.5%) with a racially diverse population — 44.1% white, 31.2% Hispanic, and 21.7% Black — a median household income of $121,622, and a voter registration breakdown of 42.6% Democrat, 29.5% Independent, and 23.8% Republican. Under a favorable Republican environment, the 2026 scenario model places the seat at only Lean D, reflecting genuine vulnerability for a first-term member elected in 2025. O'Pharrow's 68 sponsored bills in the 2025 session concentrate most heavily in Education (10 bills), with additional focus on General Business, Real Property Taxation, Tax, Workers' Compensation, and Banking.AI

Vulnerability Index AD-11

Base lean: D+10

Favorable D

Safe D

Neutral

Likely D

Favorable R

Lean D

Won last contested race by only 1.7 points

Scenario model: ±5pt national environment shift applied to district base lean (D+10). 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-11

General Elections

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Margin
2024	Kwani B. O'Pharrow 50.8% (26,878)	Joseph R. Cardinale 49.2% (25,981)	⚡ 1.6pts
2022	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 50.4% (18,362)	Christopher Sperber 49.6% (18,077)	⚡ 0.8pts
2020	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 59.6% (30,392)	Eugene M. Murray 40.4% (20,573)	19.2pts
2018	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 64.4% (23,485)	Kevin V. Sabella 35.6% (13,006)	28.8pts
2016	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 60.1% (26,129)	Shawn Cullinane 39.9% (17,369)	20.2pts
2014	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 58.0% (11,596)	Mark M. Gallo 33.3% (6,670)	24.7pts
2012	Robert K. Sweeney 79.3% (28,064)	Rashad Cureton 20.7% (7,326)	58.6pts
2010	Robert K. Sweeney 67.4% (16,798)	Brett A. Robinson 32.6% (8,143)	34.8pts
2008	Robert K. Sweeney 71.3% (28,358)	James А. McDonaugh 28.7% (11,415)	42.6pts
2006	Robert K. Sweeney 93.0% (15,485)	Donald H. Nohs 7.0% (1,167)	86.0pts
2004	Robert K. Sweeney 93.4% (26,145)	Louis Molinaro 6.6% (1,858)	86.8pts
2002	Robert K. Sweeney 90.7% (14,543)	Louis Molinaro 9.3% (1,489)	81.4pts
2000	Robert K. Sweeney 89.4% (23,139)	Louis Molinaro 5.9% (1,515)	83.5pts
1998	Robert K. Sweeney 66.5% (15,626)	Richard J. Burke 29.7% (6,986)	36.8pts
1996	Robert K. Sweeney 66.4% (22,482)	Joseph A. Santorelli 33.6% (11,370)	32.8pts

Primary Elections

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Margin
2016 (Democratic)	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 78.2% (1,411)	Jordan K. Wilson, Jr. 21.8% (394)	56.4pts
2016 (Republican)	Shawn Cullinane 96.0% (624)	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 4.0% (26)	92.0pts
2016 (Reform)	Kimberly Jean-Pierre 100.0% (6)	Uncontested	—

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

Voter Registration

43%

24%

34%

Dem 42.6% Rep 23.8% Ind/Other 33.6%

District 11 Profile

Population 138,372

Median income $121,622

Median rent $2,108

Homeownership 77.5%

Education (BA+) 30.6%

Poverty rate 6.9%

Uninsured rate 5.8%

Unemployment rate 5.2%

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

Demographics

White 44.1%

Black 21.7%

Hispanic 31.2%

Asian 3.1%

Median age 38.7

Foreign born 24.9%

Limited English households 5.6%

Veterans 3.7%

Disability rate 11.3%

Commute Mode

Drive alone 68.6%

Public transit 7.4%

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)

68

6

Years in office 1

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

Floor Session Activity 2025–2026

A08302 PASSED 2025-06-16

An act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules, in relation to an affirmation by any person, wherever made, in a civil action

A06721-A PASSED 2025-06-06

An act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to providing confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling

The Assembly passed A06721-A, sponsored by Asm. Judy Griffin, establishing confidentiality protections for law enforcement peer support counseling communications. The bill creates a formal peer-to-peer mental health support program for police officers modeled on the successful Joseph P. Dwyer program for veterans. Multiple members spoke in support, emphasizing that law enforcement officers face suicide rates 54 percent higher than the general population and that peer support with confidentiality protections is critical to address the trauma officers experience responding to violent crimes and life-threatening situations. Asm. Griffin noted the legislation was years in the making with input from police organizations statewide, including the Nassau County PBA. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support, with speakers including former law enforcement officer Asm. O'Pharrow and members from across the state.

A07617 PASSED 2025-05-05

An act to amend the Public Health Law, in relation to removing the prohibitions on patient participation in multiple transplant programs in New York State

The Assembly passed legislation removing prohibitions on patients participating in multiple transplant programs in New York State. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes and 18 co-sponsors, the bill addresses a critical gap in access to organ transplants for Medicaid patients, who under current law can only apply to one program and be on one wait list. Peoples-Stokes noted that approximately 8,000 New Yorkers are currently on transplant wait lists, with roughly 400 expected to die before receiving a transplant. The measure was championed by Dr. Kayler, a transplant surgeon at Erie County Medical Center, and supported by Donate Life New York. The bill allows patients to remove themselves from dependence on dialysis machines by expanding their opportunities to access kidney transplants across multiple programs.

A08089 PASSED 2025-05-05

An act to amend the Veterans' Services Law, in relation to establishing a New York State veterans' and service member law book

The Assembly passed legislation establishing a New York State veterans' and service member law book to improve access to veterans' services. Sponsored by Assemblyman Dais, the bill received strong support from multiple veteran members of the Assembly who emphasized the need to streamline access to available resources. Dais cited the case of a 97-year-old WWII veteran who nearly faced homelessness before discovering he was eligible for age-related bonus payments. Assemblywoman Walsh expressed support but raised concerns about the Department of Veterans' Services' past performance in distributing collected funds. Veterans in the chamber, including Assemblymen Chang and O'Pharrow, noted that accessing veterans' services is currently disjointed and difficult, and expressed hope the bill would improve the process.

A02746 / S00754 PASSED 2025-03-03

An act to amend the Transportation Law, in relation to the membership of the Republic Airport Commission

The Assembly passed S754/A2746, sponsored by Asm. O'Pharrow on his first bill, amending the Republic Airport Commission appointment process to require the Assembly and Senate each submit three recommendations to the Governor rather than one. The bill restores requirements removed in the original 2024 legislation. During debate, Asm. Gandolfo of the minority party questioned why Republican recommendations were not explicitly included, noting Republicans represent the majority of voters in Nassau and Suffolk counties. O'Pharrow responded that Republicans could submit recommendations through an open-door policy with the Speaker. The Minority Conference voted against the bill, though individual members could vote affirmatively. The bill passed with the Majority Conference voting in favor.

A02746 / S COMPANION NOT SPECIFIED 2025-02-05

An act to amend the Transportation Law, in relation to the membership of the Republic Airport Commission

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.