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5 Decades Of Service: Unpacking Senator Toby Ann Stavisky's Landmark Legislative Wins And 2026 Re-Election Bid

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As of December 2025, New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky remains a formidable and active force in Albany, continuing her decades-long career representing Queens County with a focus on education, healthcare, and ethical governance. The veteran Democrat, who holds the distinction of being the first woman from Queens elected to the State Senate, has recently made headlines for sponsoring landmark, first-in-the-nation legislation and announcing her campaign for re-election in 2026, solidifying her commitment to the constituents of District 11. Her ongoing tenure highlights a deep-seated dedication to public service, particularly through her powerful position as Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, where she shapes the future of CUNY and SUNY institutions.

The political landscape in New York is constantly shifting, but Senator Stavisky’s influence has been a constant, driving key policy changes that affect millions of New Yorkers, from college students and faculty to cancer patients and victims of crime. Her recent legislative successes and her continued leadership in the 2025-2026 legislative session demonstrate that, even as one of the longest-serving members, she is focused on tackling contemporary issues with fresh, impactful solutions. This deep dive explores her comprehensive biography, her most recent legislative victories, and the political future she is charting for herself and her district.

The Defining Career of Senator Toby Ann Stavisky: A Biographical Profile

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky’s life in public service is marked by a series of trailblazing achievements and an unwavering commitment to her constituents in Queens.

  • Full Name: Toby Ann Stavisky (née Goldhaar)
  • Date of Birth: June 26, 1939
  • Age: 86 (as of December 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York
  • Political Party: Democratic
  • Current Office: New York State Senator, representing District 11
  • Key Role: Vice President Pro Tempore of the New York State Senate
  • Landmark Achievement: First woman from Queens County elected to the State Senate.
  • Committee Chairmanships: First woman to chair the Senate Committee on Higher Education (a position she holds in the 2025-2026 session).
  • Prior Career: Prior to her election, Stavisky served as a legislative aide to her late husband, Senator Leonard Stavisky, and worked as a high school economics teacher.
  • Electoral History: First elected to the Senate in a special election in 1999, she has successfully defended her seat for over two decades.

Stavisky's background as an educator has profoundly influenced her political priorities, making her a staunch advocate for public universities and K-12 schooling. Her long tenure has provided her with the institutional knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the New York State Legislature in Albany, making her a highly effective legislator for Queens County.

Landmark Legislation: Stavisky’s 2024-2025 Focus on Health and Ethics

The most recent legislative sessions have seen Senator Stavisky champion several high-impact bills, many of which have been signed into law, underscoring her effectiveness. Her work in 2024 and 2025 demonstrates a commitment to healthcare advocacy and government transparency, moving beyond her traditional educational focus to address broader societal needs.

The "First-in-the-Nation" Cancer Legislation

In a significant victory, Senator Stavisky, alongside Assemblymember Rosenthal, heralded the passage of their "First-in-the-Nation Legislation" at a Memorial Sloan Kettering Breast Cancer Awareness Event in October 2025. This groundbreaking bill, which was also noted for being signed into law in October 2024, is designed to benefit New Yorkers battling cancer. While the specific details of the bill’s provisions are complex, the designation "First-in-the-Nation" suggests a pioneering approach to cancer care, screening, or patient rights, establishing New York as a leader in this critical health area. This achievement is a major win for public health advocacy in Queens and across the state, ensuring enhanced support and resources for cancer patients.

Driving Transparency and Judicial Ethics

Senator Stavisky has also been a proponent of increased transparency within the judicial system. She has sponsored legislation that would require the ethics commission of the unified court system to publicly post the annual financial disclosures of every state-paid judge. This measure aims to bolster public trust and accountability by making the financial interests of judicial officials readily accessible to the public, a key component of her broader commitment to ethical governance.

Advocacy for Vulnerable Workers and Victims

Two other crucial pieces of legislation highlight her commitment to social justice:

  • Minimum Wage for Disabled Workers: Stavisky has sponsored a bill to eliminate provisions that currently exempt employees with disabilities from the state’s minimum wage law. This move is a powerful statement for equal pay and labor rights, ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of disability status, are guaranteed fair compensation for their work.
  • Victim Impact Statements: She has also pushed for reforms to the parole process by requiring that all victim impact statements in New York State be video recorded. Furthermore, this legislation mandates that members of the parole board review all relevant victim statements before making a decision. This initiative aims to give victims a stronger, more visible voice in the justice system and enhance the parole board's accountability.

The Enduring Influence of the Higher Education Committee Chair

Perhaps the most significant source of Senator Stavisky's topical authority is her role as the Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Higher Education, a position she has held for multiple terms, including the current 2025-2026 legislative session. Her chairmanship places her at the epicenter of policy decisions regarding funding, tuition, academic freedom, and governance for the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) systems.

As a former educator, her priorities are consistently centered on accessibility and affordability. She views CUNY and SUNY as essential engines of economic mobility and has fought tirelessly to secure adequate state funding to prevent steep tuition hikes and expand student support services. Her legislative agenda is often intertwined with the needs of Queens, which is home to several major CUNY campuses and a diverse student population.

The 2025-2026 session sees her continue to steer crucial legislation, such as Bill S 627, through the committee process. Her focus is not just on the main universities but also on the community colleges and specialized programs that serve as a pipeline for the workforce. Her long-standing expertise makes her the go-to voice in Albany for all matters related to New York's vast and complex public university system, ensuring that quality education remains within reach for students from District 11 and beyond.

The Road Ahead: The 2026 Re-Election Campaign

Despite her long and distinguished career, Senator Stavisky shows no signs of slowing down. In a testament to her continued vigor and community support, she officially announced her campaign for re-election in 2026 at a recent event in Queens. The announcement drew a significant crowd of community leaders, elected officials, and loyal supporters, demonstrating the strength of her political base in Queens County.

The decision to seek another term in the New York State Senate is a clear signal that she intends to continue her legislative work on issues like healthcare, education funding, and ethics reform. Her campaign will likely emphasize her recent landmark legislative achievements—especially the cancer bill—and her influential role as Vice President Pro Tempore and Higher Education Committee Chair. As a seasoned politician, her re-election bid will focus on continuity, experience, and the proven ability to deliver tangible results for the residents of District 11.

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky’s career is a powerful case study in the longevity and impact of dedicated public service. From her pioneering role as the first woman elected to the Senate from Queens to her ongoing leadership in the 2025-2026 legislative session, she continues to shape New York State policy with a strong, consistent voice. Her recent legislative victories and her commitment to the 2026 election cycle ensure that her influence on Albany and Queens politics will remain significant for the foreseeable future.

senator toby ann stavisky
senator toby ann stavisky

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