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Sen. Jabari Brisport

District 25 Democrat First elected 2021

Jabari Brisport is a Democratic state senator representing New York's 25th Senate District (D+77), first elected in 2021, whose legislative work in the 2025 session has centered on social services, education, criminal procedure, and public health, with a particular focus on childcare access and workforce funding, immigrant access to services, tenant protections, and foster care. He has sponsored 61 bills this session and votes with the Democratic caucus 97.1% of the time, placing him among the most party-aligned members of the chamber. Brisport has raised $91,841 in campaign contributions for the 2022–2026 cycle entirely from individual donors, accepting no corporate or PAC money.AI

Topic Focus AI

Immigrant Access to Social ServicesS1614S2001S5242hearing Foster Care & Child WelfareS3781S3048S4260 Childcare Access & CapacityS2505hearinghearing Childcare Workforce Compensation & StabilizationS2505hearinghearing Tenant Protections & Eviction PreventionS1615S571S605 Early Childhood Education FundingS2505hearing Nonprofit Procurement & Government ContractingS606hearing Budget Accountability & Campaign Finance ReformA3009C Environmental ConservationS6530 For-Profit Childcare Platform Regulationhearing LGBTQ+ Protections & Serviceshearing Small Business Rent Cost Reliefhearing

Topics extracted by AI from floor speeches, committee hearing transcripts, and sponsored legislation. Bill and hearing citations link to source records for verification. Tag size reflects number of supporting citations.

Key Issues

Childcare workforce wages 2024-01-31 2024-01-31
Childcare workforce crisis and wage stabilization 2025-02-26
Childcare capacity reduction due to staffing shortages 2025-02-26
commercial rent costs for small businesses 2025-02-26
Childcare workforce crisis 2025-02-12
Child Care Availability Task Force recommendations 2025-02-12
Permanent workforce compensation funding 2025-02-12
Childcare capacity constraints due to staffing shortages 2025-02-12
Childcare workforce wage supplements 2025-02-12
Task force recommendations missing from Executive Budget 2025-02-12
Restrictions on childcare assistance based on employment status 2025-02-12
Immigrant access to services and anti-immigrant rhetoric 2025-02-12
Childcare eligibility restrictions 2025-02-12
Nonprofit procurement process challenges 2025-02-12
Childcare 2025-02-12

From committee hearings, floor debate, and bill sponsorship.

Legislative Activity (2025–2026)

Floor votes 1,443
Party alignment 97.1%
Hearing engagements 29
Bills sponsored 61
Floor mentions 8

Based on complete Senate roll call records.

Bill Outcomes 2025 Session

Introduced 61
Reached floor 10 16.4%
Passed Senate 6 9.8%
Signed into law 3 4.9%
Vetoed 1

Covers Senate-sponsored bills only. Status from Open Legislation API.

Committee Assignments

Children And Families Chair
Banks Member
Codes Member
Housing, Construction And Community Development Member
Libraries Member
Procurement And Contracts Member

Electoral History SD-25

General Elections

Year Winner Runner-up Margin
2024 Jabari Brisport 100.0% (90,484) Uncontested —
2022 Jabari Brisport 100.0% (63,017) Uncontested —
2020 Jabari Brisport 100.0% (138,261) Uncontested —
2018 Velmanette Montgomery 100.0% (110,175) Uncontested —
2016 Velmanette Montgomery 93.4% (114,943) Michael G. Cox 3.5% (4,247) 89.9pts
2014 Velmanette Montgomery 100.0% (44,194) Uncontested —
2012 Velmanette Montgomery 97.2% (102,940) John A. Jasilli 2.8% (2,944) 94.4pts
2010 Daniel L. Squadron 86.0% (50,485) Joseph A. Nardiello 14.0% (8,217) 72.0pts
2008 Daniel L. Squadron 87.1% (81,417) John G. Chromczak 12.9% (12,029) 74.3pts
2006 Martin Connor 82.5% (40,822) Ken Diamondstone 17.5% (8,649) 65.0pts
2004 Martin Connor 100.0% (72,490) Uncontested —
2002 Martin Connor 82.5% (34,884) Hyman Silverglad 16.1% (6,800) 66.4pts
2000 Martin Connor 91.3% (53,571) Craig A. Seeman 6.9% (4,078) 84.3pts
1998 Martin Connor 86.8% (40,522) Robert S. Flanzer 13.2% (6,178) 73.5pts
1996 Martin Connor 85.5% (46,070) Robert S. Flanzer 14.5% (7,803) 71.0pts

Primary Elections

Year Winner Runner-up Margin
2020 (Democratic) Jabari Brisport 57.6% (32,967) Tremaine S. Wright 35.0% (20,009) 22.7pts
2016 (Democratic) Velmanette Montgomery 69.2% (10,579) Michael G. Cox 30.8% (4,719) 38.3pts

Source: NYS Board of Elections certified results. ⚡ = margin under 10 pts.

Vulnerability Index SD-25

Base lean: D+85

Favorable D
Safe D
Neutral
Safe D
Favorable R
Safe D
  • Uncontested in 4 of last 4 cycles — opposition quality unknown

Scenario model: ±5pt national environment shift applied to district base lean (D+85). 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 = 20+ pts, Likely = 10–19 pts, Lean = 4–9 pts, Toss-up = within 3 pts. "Generic ballot" refers to national partisan polling used to model favorable/unfavorable cycle environments. Not a prediction — reflects structural competitiveness under different cycle environments.

Top Co-Sponsors

D Julia Salazar 64 bills D Robert Jackson 33 bills D Brad Hoylman-Sigal 33 bills D Gustavo Rivera 30 bills D Jessica Ramos 27 bills D Cordell Cleare 24 bills D Zellnor Myrie 22 bills D Rachel May 21 bills D Luis R. Sepúlveda 16 bills D James Sanders Jr. 16 bills

District 25 Profile

Population 326,455
Median income $77,057
Median rent $1,852
Homeownership 21.8%
Education (BA+) 44.5%
Poverty rate 25.7%
Uninsured rate 6.1%
Unemployment rate 9.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Voter registration: NYS Board of Elections (Nov. 2025).

Voter Registration

80%
17%
Dem 80.3% Rep 3.0% Ind/Other 16.7%

Campaign Finance (2022–2026)

Total raised $91,841
From individuals $91,841

Top Donors

Mohammed Khalil $3,050
Todd Gaffney $2,250
Irfan Qazi $2,000
Mohammad Khera $1,500
Marina Weiss $1,500
Faiez Ahmed $1,000
Amro Nahas $1,000
Dara Mouhot $1,000
Mark Egerman $1,000
Rami Sarafa $1,000

Source: NYS Board of Elections via data.ny.gov. Itemized monetary contributions only. ↔ Bills = donor industry aligns with bill sponsorship focus area.

Data through 2026-03-28.

Lobbying Activity 2023

Top Lobbying Issues

Insurance - Health ↔ Overlap 366 disclosures
Health - Health Professions ↔ Overlap 354 disclosures
Miscellaneous Business - General 350 disclosures
Health – Pharmaceuticals/ Health Products ↔ Overlap 327 disclosures
Budget/Appropriations 298 disclosures
Tax – Development Credits 298 disclosures
Economic Development – Tax Incentives 294 disclosures
Health – Health Services / HMOs ↔ Overlap 292 disclosures
Transportation – General 285 disclosures
Public Utilities - General ↔ Overlap 284 disclosures

Top Organizations Lobbying This Senator

AARP 5737 disclosures
1199 SEIU UNITED HEALTHCARE WORKERS EAST 301 disclosures

Source: NY Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government via data.ny.gov. Counts reflect bi-monthly disclosure records filed with the Ethics Commission — not individual meetings. ★ Chair = lobbying issue overlaps with a committee this senator chairs. ↔ Overlap = matches committee membership or bill sponsorship focus.

Demographics

White 27.3%
Black 44.6%
Hispanic 20.1%
Asian 4.8%
Median age 34.0
Foreign born 22.3%
Limited English households 5.6%
Veterans 1.5%
Disability rate 13.0%

Commute Mode

Drive alone 13.2%
Public transit 50.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Race and ethnicity figures may not sum to 100% — Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity category that overlaps with racial groups.

Voting Record

1401 Aye 42 Nay 0 Excused

Dissenting Votes by Topic

Highway 16 nay
Penal 6 nay
Environmental Conservation 5 nay
Executive 4 nay
General Municipal 2 nay

9 additional dissenting votes across other topics

From 1,443 recorded floor votes via OpenLeg API. Dissenting votes grouped by law section to reveal policy patterns.

Votes through 2026-02-10.

Floor Speeches: In Support (11) AI

S3781 An act to amend the Social Services Law 2025-05-22 PASSED

Brisport emphasized that foster children currently carry their belongings in plastic trash bags and that providing suitcases would protect their possessions and dignity. He characterized the measure as 'literally the least we can do' for vulnerable youth in the foster care system.

S902B An act to amend the Social Services Law 2024-06-06 PASSED

The bill protects vulnerable people from harassment reporting by requiring the state to collect identifying information about CPS reporters, which will remain confidential to the state but allow investigation of false reports. He emphasized the disproportionate impact on Black children and children of color, and the use of CPS as a weapon by abusers in domestic violence situations.

S7353A An act to amend the Education Law 2024-05-13 PASSED

Education is one of the best tools to fight recidivism and guarantee youth a brighter future. The bill ensures incarcerated youth have guaranteed access to education.

S2315 An act in relation to naming a certain state facility after Willie Mae Goodman 2024-02-26 PASSED

Praised Ms. Goodman for her courageous advocacy to protect disabled children from Willowbrook's documented horrors, including medical experimentation and inhumane conditions. Brisport used the occasion to call attention to ongoing abuses of disabled people in state-funded institutions.

A7691 An act to acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery in the City of New York and establish the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies 2023-06-08 PASSED

He noted New York banks profited from the slave trade and companies like Domino Sugar profited from enslaved labor, making reparations a moral obligation and necessary for building an equitable future.

Floor Speeches: In Opposition (16) AI

A7802A An act to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law 2025-06-13 PASSED

Voted in opposition to the bill.

A3009C Budget Bill - An act to amend the Tax Law 2025-05-08 PASSED

Delivered passionate critique linking the budget to billionaire influence on Governor Hochul, citing specific donors and their net worth. Argued the budget fails to fund SNAP increases, universal childcare, and human services wage increases while preserving tax breaks for the ultra-rich.

A414 An act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law 2025-01-22 PASSED

Voted in the negative on the measure.

A10269 An act to amend Chapter 429 of the Laws of 2021 2024-05-30 PASSED

Voted in the negative on the measure.

A10133 An act to amend Chapter 141 of the Laws of 2014 2024-05-30 PASSED

Voted in the negative on the measure.

Committee Hearing Engagement (29) AI

Date Committee Engagement Stance Focus Areas Summary
2025-02-26 Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee supportive Childcare workforce crisis and wage stabilization Childcare capacity reduction due to staffing shortages Sen. Brisport asked about the childcare workforce crisis and the need for permanent funding to supplement wages. He noted that workforce shortages are causing decreased childcare capacity and suggested taxing the rich to fund universal childcare.
2025-02-26 New York State Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee neutral commercial rent costs for small businesses Sen. Brisport asked about rising commercial rent costs as a barrier to small business development in Brooklyn, questioning whether this is a widespread issue.
2025-02-12 FINANCE skeptical Childcare workforce crisis Child Care Availability Task Force recommendations Permanent workforce compensation funding Childcare capacity constraints due to staffing shortages Brisport pressed Harris-Madden extensively on the childcare workforce crisis, citing the April 2024 Task Force report's emphasis on urgency for permanent wage supplementation. He highlighted data showing 28,462 fewer children served due to workforce shortages and questioned why the budget did not prioritize permanent workforce compensation despite task force recommendations. He expressed concern that workforce challenges threaten childcare expansion gains.
2025-02-12 FINANCE skeptical Childcare workforce wage supplements Task force recommendations missing from Executive Budget Restrictions on childcare assistance based on employment status Sen. Brisport pressed Commissioner Harris-Madden on why the $1.2 billion childcare workforce wage supplement and employment restriction recommendations from the task force were excluded from the Executive Budget. He made a direct request for the Commissioner to speak with Governor Hochul about restoring these items, signaling concern that vulnerable workers (restaurant, retail, construction, gig workers) would be harmed.
2025-02-12 FINANCE opposed Immigrant access to services and anti-immigrant rhetoric Childcare eligibility restrictions Nonprofit procurement process challenges Sen. Brisport raised concerns about immigrant families being discouraged from accessing services due to immigration status fears and criticized the Governor's veto of childcare legislation for low-income families. He also questioned procurement process improvements for nonprofits.
2025-02-12 FINANCE supportive Childcare Sen. Brisport was mentioned as a childcare champion by testifiers but did not ask questions in the transcript provided.
2025-02-12 FINANCE opposed Wonderschool's venture capital funding and profit motives Risk of state subsidies being diverted to investors CEO's comments about price sensitivity and undercharging 10 percent fee structure and cost increases to parents Preference for nonprofit and government agencies over for-profit platforms Sen. Brisport expressed strong skepticism about Wonderschool's business model, citing the CEO's podcast comments about lack of price sensitivity from governments and concerns about venture capital firms (Goldman Sachs, Andreessen Horowitz) diverting state resources. He advocated for nonprofits and CCR&Rs to lead substitute pool efforts rather than for-profit platforms.
2025-02-12 FINANCE supportive Aspire Registry data and coverage SAGE services and legislative priorities LGBTQ+ protections Sen. Brisport asked detailed questions about the Aspire Registry's coverage percentages and barriers to registration. He expressed support for SAGE's work and asked about additional legislative priorities beyond budget requests.
2025-01-29 FINANCE opposed Charter school proliferation Pre-K and childcare siloing Sen. Brisport echoed concerns about charter school oversaturation and asked for clarification on the commissioner's statement about the problems of siloing childcare from pre-K.
2025-01-29 FINANCE opposed Early childhood education Childcare center closures 3-K funding cuts Sen. Brisport expressed concern about childcare center closures in his district and questioned whether the Governor's budget provides enough funding to regrow the childcare sector, pushing back respectfully on the Chancellor's rightsizing explanation.
2024-02-14 FINANCE neutral Sen. Brisport was present but did not ask questions during the testimony period covered in this transcript.
2024-02-14 FINANCE neutral Rent overcharge complaint processing timelines Lookback period changes from 4 to 6 years Tracking of complaints against same LLCs State-owned property capital funds and site selection 1024 Fulton Street in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Sen. Brisport asked about the backlog of rent overcharge complaints and whether HCR tracks complaints against the same landlords. He inquired about the $500 million in capital funds for state-owned properties and specifically raised 1024 Fulton Street in Clinton Hill as a potential site for affordable housing.
2024-02-14 FINANCE supportive Brokers' fees impact on tenants Good-cause eviction enforcement ETPA implementation problems in Kingston and Newburgh Sen. Brisport asked detailed questions about brokers' fees and good-cause eviction, expressing concern about tenant protections. He specifically asked McKee about problems in Kingston after ETPA adoption, signaling interest in enforcement and implementation issues.
2024-02-01 FINANCE opposed Foundation Aid reduction rationale Revenue alternatives (tax the wealthy) Foundation Aid study timeline and funding Sen. Brisport questioned why the Executive reduced Foundation Aid from an expected $926 million to $507 million and suggested raising taxes on the wealthy as an alternative to cuts. He asked about the timeline for the Foundation Aid study, learning it would take two years minimum if funded.
2024-02-01 FINANCE skeptical Revenue raising for education Early childhood education workforce wages Underutilized seats and staffing Sen. Brisport pressed Chancellor Banks on whether he would support the 'Invest in Our New York' tax-the-rich legislation to fund education, receiving a non-committal response. He also questioned whether underutilized early childhood seats reflected lack of need or lack of workforce, advocating for wage increases for early childhood educators.
2024-01-31 FINANCE skeptical Childcare workforce wages Childcare provider shortage Long-term wage solutions vs. one-time bonuses Brisport questioned whether the budget adequately addresses the underlying childcare crisis, noting that childcare slots are up less than 3% from pandemic lows and that childcare workers earn less than 96% of occupations in New York. He pressed Miles-Gustave on why the budget relies on temporary bonuses rather than permanent wage increases.
2024-01-31 FINANCE skeptical Childcare market-rate compensation True cost of care for childcare providers Universal childcare funding through progressive taxation Childcare affordability and workforce participation Decoupling work hours from childcare eligibility Sen. Brisport pressed Commissioner Miles-Gustave on why the budget still does not compensate providers for the true cost of care, citing an ILR Buffalo study. He advocated for universal childcare funded by taxing millionaires and billionaires, and questioned why the Governor's budget did not address the decoupling bill she had previously vetoed.
2024-01-31 FINANCE skeptical Childcare $7 billion investment tracking and spending Differential payment rates for childcare providers Workforce retention grants and spending challenges Cost of care vs. market rates for childcare Sen. Brisport asked pointed questions about childcare funding implementation, specifically challenging the pace of $7 billion spending and requesting detailed breakdowns. He questioned why workforce retention grant estimates were overestimated and whether remaining funds should have been distributed to workers rather than rolled over.
2024-01-31 FINANCE supportive Childcare workforce stabilization grants Reimbursement rates for childcare Permanent childcare workforce funding Market rate adequacy Sen. Brisport asked detailed questions about stabilization grants and reimbursement rates, demonstrating strong support for childcare workforce investments. He appeared to be a key advocate for permanent funding solutions.
2024-01-31 FINANCE skeptical Decoupling bill cost estimates Childcare workforce wages Impact of childcare crisis on different populations Childcare capacity disparities across counties Sen. Brisport asked pointed questions about the OCFS estimate of $140 million for the decoupling bill, noting that press articles called the number unrealistic. He also inquired about wage impacts on childcare educators and how the crisis affects different populations, signaling concern about equity and cost accuracy.
2023-02-13 FINANCE skeptical Childcare sector stability and workforce crisis Long-term decline in childcare slots Effectiveness of stabilization grants Childcare provider exodus Sen. Brisport pressed Acting Commissioner Miles-Gustave on the continued instability of the childcare sector despite multiple rounds of stabilization grants. He cited data showing 20,000 childcare slots lost since 2020 and questioned whether one-time federal funding infusions would actually stabilize the sector long-term.
2023-02-13 FINANCE skeptical Childcare provider reimbursement rates Gap between true cost of care and state reimbursement Living wages for childcare workforce Eligibility for undocumented children Childcare waitlists and case opening procedures Sen. Brisport pressed Commissioner Miles-Gustave on the disparity between true cost of care and reimbursement rates, questioned whether market rate surveys account for living wages, and challenged the exclusion of undocumented children from state-funded childcare. He appeared skeptical of the adequacy of current proposals and pushed for more aggressive action on provider compensation and immigrant access.
2023-02-13 FINANCE skeptical Childcare subsidy uptake rates Tying childcare to employment Childcare provider waitlists Child welfare funding reimbursement rates Sen. Brisport challenged the commissioner on childcare uptake rates (66,000 of 100,000 eligible families), questioned whether provider waitlists exist despite agency claims, and pressed on why the state reimburses counties at 62 percent instead of the statutorily required 65 percent for child welfare.
2023-02-13 FINANCE skeptical Childcare waiting lists Cost of care reimbursement gap Stabilization grant effectiveness in Adirondacks Sen. Brisport asked probing questions about waiting lists, the impact of reimbursement gaps on providers, and whether stabilization grants have slowed childcare slot losses. His questions suggested skepticism about whether current funding levels are sufficient.
2023-02-13 FINANCE supportive Public safety and prevention Community violence reduction Workforce investment as safety strategy Sen. Brisport asked how human services investments contribute to public safety beyond traditional criminal justice, framing prevention and youth employment as safety strategies. His questions signaled support for the programs discussed.
2023-02-13 FINANCE supportive LGBTQ+ senior services and unmet need Workforce stabilization funding and one-time federal funds Sen. Brisport expressed gratitude for SAGE's work in his district and asked about unmet need for LGBTQ+ seniors statewide. He questioned whether providers have used one-time stabilization funds to create long-term wage increases, signaling concern about sustainability of workforce support.
2023-02-08 FINANCE unclear Sen. Brisport is listed as present but no questions or engagement are recorded in the transcript provided.
2023-02-08 FINANCE opposed Charter school student selection practices Cash reserves and funding restrictions Charter school saturation in specific districts Equity between public and charter schools Sen. Brisport challenged Ms. Bennett's claim about charter principals not wanting to choose students, citing Success Academy-Fort Greene's 'got-to-go list.' He questioned charter school cash reserves and asked whether charter schools should be restricted to 4 percent fund balance like public schools. He noted that 20-30 charter schools operate in his district representing 10 percent of NYC population and questioned why wealthier communities don't demand charter schools.
2023-02-08 FINANCE skeptical Charter school profiteering mechanisms Charter school discipline and suspension practices Transparency and accountability in charter schools Sen. Brisport asked pointed questions about how for-profit interests can extract money from nonprofit charter schools and pressed for clarity on charter school discipline practices. He shared personal experience as a former public schoolteacher and expressed concern about lack of transparency in charter schools, signaling skepticism about charter school accountability.