The 2025 Albany Power 100

In Albany, the players may change, but the game remains the same. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who entered office with a pledge to collaborate with lawmakers, has adopted a more hardball style. Her strong-arm tactics echo the approach of her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, who’s now looking for political redemption as the front-runner in the New York City mayoral race. As for the current New York City mayor, Eric Adams notched some wins in the latest state budget – although he may not be around much longer to enjoy them.

Some politicians also sense weakness in the governor, who won a close race in 2022. Her own lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, has already entered the fray for 2026, and a trio of Republicans are positioning themselves for a potential run. Overshadowing the entire political landscape, of course, is a former New Yorker who’s back in the White House – and he’s slashing federal funding, hunting down immigrants and asserting control over prosecutions, infrastructure investment and higher education.

City & State’s Albany Power 100, written and researched in partnership with journalist Aaron Short, recognizes dozens of key players in state politics and government – and ranks them based on their wins and losses over the past year.

14. Jeremy Cooney, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Brian Kavanagh, John Liu, Shelley Mayer, Roxanne Persaud, Gustavo Rivera & James Skoufis

Jeremy Cooney, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Brian Kavanagh, John Liu, Shelley Mayer, Roxanne Persaud, Gustavo Rivera & James Skoufis / NYS Senate Media Services; Office of New York State Senator Brian Kavanaugh

President Donald Trump may control the future of Penn Station, but state Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman-Sigal wants to keep Trump’s name off the building. His bill would bar the naming of public buildings after convicted felons. Hoylman-Sigal is also running for Manhattan borough president.

State Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer has ensured full funding of the state’s Foundation Aid to local school districts, an important suburban issue. This year, she secured more funding for career and technical education and became chair of the Ethics and Internal Governance Committee.

The chamber’s New York City Education Committee is chaired by John Liu, who previously passed legislation capping class sizes in New York City schools. He backed Mets owner Steve Cohen’s casino dreams, sponsoring legislation that removes state parkland status for Citi Field’s parking lot to allow a casino there.

Housing didn’t dominate this year’s agenda, but Housing Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh did secure a four-year pilot program of the Housing Access Voucher Program. He has focused on rental assistance, reducing evictions and foreclosure protection.

A close ally of state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Social Services Committee Chair Roxanne Persaud quietly wields power. This year, the Brooklyn lawmaker secured funding for a state diaper bank, disability legal aid and SNAP outreach.

Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera is warning about the impact of federal policies on public health. A perennial advocate for Coverage for All legislation, Rivera has also taken aim at medical debt and passed legislation setting up an opioid settlement fund.

Democratic Socialists of America-backed state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez took the reins of the Elections Committee this year, while still chairing the Internet and Technology Committee, becoming the only senator to lead two full policy committees. Gonzalez has driven state artificial intelligence policy and passed abortion rights legislation protecting private health data.

Transportation Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney has made high-speed rail his passion. His other priorities include upstate transit, increased child tax credits and Buffalo’s Kensington Expressway. He chairs the Cannabis Subcommittee.

Investigations and Government Operations Committee Chair James Skoufis didn’t end up as Democratic National Committee chair, but he’s a rising star in Albany. He spearheaded a measure making it a crime to wear a mask while committing another crime. He also questioned expanding the state’s film tax credit program.