Brian P. Kavanagh

Brian Patrick Kavanagh (born January 18, 1967) A member of the Democratic Party, before redistricting in January 2023, Kavanagh represented part of Brooklyn. He was previously a member of the New York State Assembly for the 74th district and represented the East Side of Manhattan.

Early life and education Kavanagh was born on January 18, 1967, He is one of six children. He tutored students at the Nativity Mission Center. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in politics from Princeton University in 1989. He then received a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law.

At the mayor's office, Kavanagh played a key role in launching the New York City Department of Homeless Services and then was the agency's first policy director.

Kavanagh has been a counselor, volunteer, and board member at the Lower East Side's Nativity Middle School and community center. He is a board member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and has worked as an attorney for Demos. He is a member of the New York City Bar Association and has served on the association's election law committee.

New York State Assembly Following an unsuccessful bid for New York City Council in 2005, Kavanagh was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2006. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has been endorsed by the Working Families Party. Not without criticism, Kavanagh was nominated as the Democratic candidate, despite representing very little of the same territory in the New York State Assembly that the senate district encompassed. Despite this, Kavanagh easily won election. He was re-elected to a full first term in 2018.

Kavanagh has been a proponent of election reform. Stating New Yorkers "have some of the worst election laws in the country," Kavanagh introduced a bill "that would allow voters to cast ballots before Election Day". Until New York enacted early voting in 2019, it was the largest state with no advance voting regime.

With Democrats taking the majority in the New York State Senate in 2019, Kavanagh was named as the chair of the committee on housing, construction and community development.

Kavanagh was a co-sponsor of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), enacted in 2019, and has served on the Environmental Conservation Committee in each of his years in the legislature. One of Kavanagh's priorities has been the introduction of extended producer responsibility legislation, which would require producers to be responsible for products from the beginning to end of life. He has introduced legislation in this area for rechargeable batteries, lamps, mattresses, and textiles, among others.

Kavanagh authored the "All-Electric Building Act," which became law in 2023, requiring the state energy construction code to halt the use of fossil fuels in new construction in the state.

Kavanagh has pursued legislation that would curb gun violence in New York. As the founder and chair of the American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention, Kavanagh prioritized working across the aisle to curb access to illegal guns. He is the sponsor of New York's red flag law, which would prevent those who may be a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

In February 2026, Kavanaugh stated that he will not seek reelection.

Personal life Since moving to Manhattan, Kavanagh has lived in different neighborhoods, including the Lower East Side, Murray Hill, NoMad, and Turtle Bay.

Election results September 2006 Democratic primary election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

November 2006 general election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

November 2008 general election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

November 2010 general election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

September 2012 Democratic primary election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

November 2012 general election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

November 2014 general election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

November 2016 general election, NYS Assembly, 74th AD

November 2017 special election, NYS Senate, 26th SD

November 2022 primary election, New York State Senate