Midterm blue wave expands New York state legislature’s ‘shomer shabbos caucus’

A Democratic blue wave in the 2026 midterms expanded New York's 'Shomer Shabbos caucus' to a record 11 Orthodox Jewish legislators. Three new Democrats won seats: Pesach Osina, Lisa 'Malkie' Vider, and Joey Cohen-Saban, who defeated Republican incumbent Michael Novakhov. Incumbents including Simcha Eichenstein and Ari Brown were reelected. Jewish anti-Zionist David Orkin also won a seat. GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman lost to Kathy Hochul.

A Democratic blue wave in the 2026 midterm elections has expanded the New York state legislature's 'Shomer Shabbos caucus' to a record 11 members, all Orthodox Jews. David Greenfield, CEO of Met Council, announced the milestone on Wednesday. Eight of the 11 legislators were up for reelection and won, while three are new to statewide office. Pesach Osina, a longtime City Council staffer, won a State Assembly seat as a Democrat in a purple Queens district. Democrat Lisa 'Malkie' Vider, a healthcare administrator, flipped a Long Island State Senate district with a narrow victory. Democrat Joey Cohen-Saban defeated Republican incumbent Michael Novakhov in a South Brooklyn rematch, after losing by just 232 votes in 2024. Novakhov had tied Cohen-Saban to anti-Israel sentiment in the Democratic Party. The victories come as left-wing DSA-backed candidates also joined the legislature. Jewish anti-Zionist David Orkin won a State Assembly seat in Queens. GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman lost to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, 60% to 39.8%.