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D
Asm. Emerita Torres
District 85
Democrat
First elected 2023
Emerita Torres represents AD-85, a D+66 district in which she won her 2024 general election with 79.0% of the vote against Kelly Atkinson, a margin of 60.6 points; the district is rated Safe D across all modeled electoral environments. AD-85 is a heavily Democratic, majority-Hispanic urban district — 66.4% Hispanic and 32.5% Black — with a poverty rate of 30.9%, a homeownership rate of 15.2%, a median household income of $43,267, and a voter registration breakdown of 72.1% Democrat and 5.9% Republican. First elected in 2023, Torres sponsored 30 bills in the 2025 session, with her heaviest concentration in General Business (8 bills), followed by Agriculture and Markets, Education, Insurance, Labor, and Public Authorities at 2 bills each. The top lobbying sectors active in her district and the nature of any committee assignments or chairmanships were not specified in available data, though her sponsorship pattern across General Business and Public Authorities reflects a broad commercial and institutional policy focus.AI
Vulnerability Index AD-85
Base lean: D+75
Favorable D
Neutral
Favorable R
- Limited contested election data — registration lean used as primary signal
Scenario model: ±5pt national environment shift applied to district base lean (D+75). 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-85
General Elections
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Emerita Torres 79.0% (20,881) | Kelly Atkinson 18.4% (4,849) | 60.6pts |
| 2022 | Kenneth Burgos 84.7% (11,378) | Laurine Berry 15.3% (2,062) | 69.4pts |
| 2020 | Kenneth Burgos 88.3% (27,924) | Janelle King 9.7% (3,065) | 78.6pts |
| 2018 | Marcos A. Crespo 95.5% (20,783) | Shonde M. Lennon 3.7% (805) | 91.8pts |
| 2016 | Marcos A. Crespo 93.3% (25,812) | Janelle M. King 3.7% (1,033) | 89.6pts |
| 2014 | Marcos A. Crespo 93.7% (9,408) | Janelle M. King 3.6% (357) | 90.1pts |
| 2012 | Marcos A. Crespo 95.9% (24,997) | Janelle King 2.4% (620) | 93.5pts |
| 2010 | Marcos A. Crespo 93.8% (11,213) | Leopold L. Paul 3.7% (438) | 90.1pts |
| 2008 | Ruben Diaz, Jr. 95.7% (23,423) | Nelson Moran 3.5% (867) | 92.2pts |
| 2006 | Ruben Diaz, Jr. 94.8% (10,195) | William J. McDonagh 5.2% (554) | 89.6pts |
| 2004 | Ruben Diaz, Jr. 94.1% (20,251) | William Newmark 5.9% (1,262) | 88.2pts |
| 2002 | Ruben Diaz, Jr. 92.6% (8,957) | William Newmark 7.4% (711) | 85.2pts |
| 2000 | Ronald C. Tocci 95.7% (32,672) | Sheila S. Naughton 4.3% (1,465) | 91.4pts |
| 1998 | Ronald C. Tocci 96.7% (26,198) | Sheila S. Naughton 3.3% (905) | 93.4pts |
| 1996 | Ronald C. Tocci 93.8% (32,445) | Edward C. Molisani 6.2% (2,133) | 87.6pts |
Primary Elections
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (Democratic) | Kenneth Burgos 61.8% (5,778) | William Russell Moore 38.2% (3,573) | 23.6pts |
| 2016 (Democratic) | Marcos A. Crespo 73.1% (2,635) | William R. Moore 26.9% (972) | 46.2pts |
| 2014 (Democratic) | Marcos A. Crespo 75.8% (2,745) | William R. Moore 24.2% (874) | 51.6pts |
Special Elections
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Marcos Crespo 91.4% (1,331) | Leopold L. Paul 7.3% (106) | 84.1pts |
Source: NYS Board of Elections certified results. ⚡ = margin under 10 pts. District history reflects 2022 redistricted boundaries.
Voter Registration
District 85 Profile
Population
130,329
Median income
$43,267
Median rent
$1,289
Homeownership
15.2%
Education (BA+)
17.4%
Poverty rate
30.9%
Uninsured rate
7.7%
Unemployment rate
12.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024).
Demographics
White
8.1%
Black
32.5%
Hispanic
66.4%
Asian
1.6%
Median age
34.3
Foreign born
30.1%
Limited English households
21.4%
Veterans
2.1%
Disability rate
18.7%
Commute Mode
Drive alone
25.8%
Public transit
52.9%
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
30
Floor debate appearances
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
A08906
LAID ASIDE
2026-03-09
An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to requiring entities that access a consumer's consumer credit report to notify such consumer of their right to obtain a security freeze
A08799
PASSED
2025-06-13
An act to provide for the adjustment of stipends of certain incumbents in the State University of New York and designating moneys therefor; to continue a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund; to continue work-life services and pre-tax programs; to continue a professional development committee; to continue a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund; to continue a fee mitigation fund; to continue a downstate location fund; to continue a joint labor management advisory board; to continue an accidental death benefit; and making an appropriation therefore
The Assembly passed legislation codifying a new labor agreement between the State of New York and the Communications Workers of America representing SUNY graduate student employees. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Torres, the bill provides 3 percent annual increases in graduate employee stipends from 2023 to 2025 and establishes new minimum stipends of $18,000 at university centers and $7,500 at comprehensive colleges beginning July 2026. Torres stated the measure reflects the state's commitment to ensuring affordability for students while recognizing the contributions of approximately 4,500 graduate assistants who support SUNY's academic mission through instruction, research, and administrative work essential to campus operations.
A07086 / S07086
PASSED
2025-06-10
An act to amend the Public Authorities Law, in relation to requiring the New York State Thruway Authority to submit biannual reports of all fiscal transactions, receipts and expenditures
The Assembly passed A07086, sponsored by Asm. Torres, requiring the New York State Thruway Authority to submit biannual reports of all fiscal transactions, receipts, and expenditures. Torres argued that the Thruway Authority, which collects $980 million in tolls annually, has long operated without sufficient transparency and accountability. The bill addresses fairness and equity by requiring twice-yearly reporting and mandating vendor contracting reports to ensure minority- and women-owned businesses have equal opportunities. Assemblywoman Walsh supported the measure, clarifying that biannual means every six months, and stressed that more frequent reporting is necessary given the Authority's significant financial power.
A07086 / S07086
PASSED
2025-06-10
An act to amend the Public Authorities Law, in relation to requiring the New York State Thruway Authority to submit biannual reports of all fiscal transactions, receipts and expenditures
The Assembly passed A07086, requiring the New York State Thruway Authority to submit biannual (twice-yearly) reports on all fiscal transactions, receipts, and expenditures. Sponsor Assemblywoman Torres argued the measure addresses critical transparency and accountability issues for an authority that collected $980 million in tolls last year. Torres emphasized the bill will enable better tracking of financial health and vendor contracting practices, particularly for minority- and women-owned businesses. Assemblywoman Walsh supported the bill, clarifying that biannual reporting means every six months, and stressed that the Thruway Authority's current annual reporting during budget hearings is insufficient given the substantial public funds involved.
A03007-C
PASSED
2025-05-07
Budget Bill - Part X: Requiring disclosure of algorithmically set prices (dynamic pricing disclosure)
The New York State Assembly passed a budget bill provision requiring businesses to disclose when they use algorithmic pricing based on personal consumer data, making New York the first state to implement such a standard. The measure, Part X of the broader budget bill A03007-C, mandates that companies inform customers when prices are set using algorithms that consider personal information such as search history, zip code, gender, or race. The provision exempts banks, insurance companies, and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, as well as subsidiaries of financial institutions subject to federal banking regulations. During debate, Assemblymember Blumencranz questioned the bill's effectiveness and scope, arguing that major companies like Amazon and Ticketmaster could potentially avoid regulation through exemptions, and that disclosure alone may not change consumer behavior in markets with limited alternatives. Sponsor Assemblymember Pretlow defended the measure as promoting fairness and transparency. The Minority Conference voted against the bill, while the Majority Conference supported it. The bill passed with explanatory votes from Assemblymembers Rozic and Torres, who praised the consumer protections as a significant step forward in the digital marketplace.
A03007-C
PASSED
2025-05-07
Budget Bill - Part X: Requiring disclosure of algorithmically set prices (dynamic pricing disclosure)
The New York State Assembly passed a budget bill provision requiring businesses to disclose when they use algorithmic pricing based on consumers' personal data, making New York the first state to mandate such transparency. The measure, contained in Part X of the budget bill (A03007-C), sparked debate over its scope and effectiveness. Sponsor Assemblymember Pretlow defended the disclosure requirement as promoting fairness, while critics including Assemblymember Blumencranz argued the bill contained broad exemptions for financial institutions and their affiliates—potentially excluding major practitioners like Amazon and Ticketmaster—and questioned whether disclosure alone would meaningfully protect consumers in markets with limited alternatives. The Majority Conference voted in the affirmative; the Minority Conference voted in the negative. The bill passed with members including Rozic and Torres praising the consumer protections, which also include requirements for AI companions to disclose they are not human, clear return policies, and simple subscription cancellation methods.
A03007-C
PASSED
2025-05-07
Budget Bill - Part X: Requiring disclosure of algorithmically set prices (dynamic pricing disclosure)
The Assembly passed a budget bill provision requiring businesses to disclose when they use algorithmic pricing based on personal consumer data, making New York the first state to implement such a standard. The measure, part of a broader consumer protection package in the budget, mandates that companies inform customers when prices are set using algorithms that consider personal information such as search history, zip code, gender, or race. The bill exempts banks, insurance companies, and ride-share services like Uber and Lyft. During debate, Assemblymember Blumencranz questioned the bill's effectiveness, arguing that broad exemptions for financial institution affiliates—potentially including companies like Ticketmaster and Amazon—would undermine the measure's intent. He also raised concerns about vague definitions of "algorithm" and potential unintended consequences for small businesses using third-party pricing software. Sponsor Assemblymember Pretlow defended the disclosure requirement as promoting fairness and consumer awareness. The Minority Conference voted against the bill, while the Majority voted in favor. The measure passed as part of the broader budget bill.
A07601
PASSED
2025-04-30
An act to amend Chapter 383 of the Laws of 1991, relating to the incorporation of the New York Zoological Society in relation to extending the expiration date of free one-day admission to the zoological park
A07601
PASSED
2025-04-30
An act to amend Chapter 383 of the Laws of 1991, relating to the incorporation of the New York Zoological Society in relation to extending the expiration date of free one-day admission to the zoological park
A06765
2025-03-25
An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to requiring disclosure of algorithmically-set prices
A02250
PASSED
2025-02-03
Breast cancer screening and diagnosis testing for incarcerated individuals
The Assembly passed A02250, sponsored by Asm. Torres and González-Rojas, which amends the Correction Law to require breast cancer screening and diagnosis testing for incarcerated individuals. Asm. Torres, voting in favor of her first bill to pass the Chamber, emphasized that the legislation addresses a critical health care gap and promotes health equity for underserved populations while reducing long-term health care costs through early detection. The bill takes effect 180 days after passage. The Speaker congratulated Torres on the passage.
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.