VoterLens

Anthony Merante

Republican Party

STS · NY · District 35

Yonkers,NY

New York State Senate District 35

St. John's University—Bachelor of Science in Accounting

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Raised

$62,349

Cash on Hand

$22,456

Small Donors

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PAC Support

Background

Anthony J. Merante is an accountant, CPA, and businessman whose career has centered on accounting, tax services, and executive roles in small and mid-sized companies in the Yonkers and Westchester County area. He served for years as president of the Sprain Lake Knolls Civic Association and was elected in 2017 to the Yonkers City Council for the 6th District, serving two terms. In 2026, he is the Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 35.

Committee Assignments: No committee assignments available.

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Healthcare

Anthony Merante, the Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 35 in 2026, has a documented healthcare-related position opposing New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act as coercive toward religious healthcare providers. He also stated that New York should instead strengthen hospice care, pain management, and support for terminally ill patients and families.

Specific Actions & Proposals

OPPOSES

Opposition to New York Medical Aid in Dying Act

2026-07-22

Merante condemned the assisted-suicide law and said it threatens religious institutions and healthcare providers by pressuring them to participate in practices that violate conscience rights.

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SUPPORTS

Strengthening hospice care and pain management for terminally ill patients

2026-07-26

Merante stated that New York should strengthen hospice care, pain management, and support for terminally ill patients and their families instead of requiring religious institutions to help facilitate assisted suicide.

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Healthcare

Economy & Jobs

Anthony Merante’s Economy & Jobs positioning emphasizes lower taxes, reduced state and local spending, lower utility costs, and a pro-small-business approach tied to job creation and local investment. He frames high taxes, rising energy bills, and politically connected development as burdens on working families, seniors, homeowners, and small businesses in New York State Senate District 35.

Specific Actions & Proposals

SUPPORTS

Cut spending and put taxpayers first

2026-03-24

Merante says his State Senate campaign will focus on cutting spending, putting taxpayers first, and reversing what he calls New York’s tax-and-spend direction.

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SUPPORTS

Lower high taxes on working families and seniors

2026-10-21

Merante argues that New York’s high taxes are pushing out working families and seniors and says Albany should control spending to ease that burden.

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SUPPORTS

Reduce energy and utility costs for families and small businesses

2026-10-21

Merante criticizes Con Edison rate increases and says state leaders are failing to stop utility costs that are crushing families and small businesses.

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Economy & Jobs

Immigration

Anthony Merante, the 2026 Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 35, frames immigration mainly as a taxpayer, public-safety, and local-control issue. He opposes state/local limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, criticizes state spending to house undocumented migrants, and has supported legal action to block migrant placements he says lack proper process or authority.

Specific Actions & Proposals

SUPPORTS

Allow local police cooperation with ICE 287(g) immigration enforcement

2026-08-04

Merante protested New York’s ban on local law-enforcement participation in the federal 287(g) program and argued local authorities should be able to check whether arrested individuals are wanted by federal immigration authorities or tied to violent criminal organizations.

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OPPOSES

Oppose taxpayer-funded hotel housing for illegal migrants

2026-10-20

Merante’s campaign says Albany is spending $4.3 billion in taxpayer money to house illegal migrants in hotels while New Yorkers struggle with rent and property taxes.

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Immigration

Climate & Energy

Anthony Merante emphasizes energy affordability over utility-rate increases, criticizing Con Edison rate hikes and New York Public Service Commission oversight. His record also includes opposition to Yonkers' opt-out Community Choice Aggregation renewable-energy program, while he joined a local resolution seeking Climate Smart Communities grant funding for food-scrap collection.

Specific Actions & Proposals

OPPOSES

Opposition to Con Edison rate increases

2026-10-20

Merante's State Senate campaign says Democrats and the Governor's Public Service Commission have allowed Con Edison rate increases while families struggle with energy bills.

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Climate & Energy

Education

Anthony Merante, the Republican nominee for New York State Senate District 35 in New York, has framed education mainly around Yonkers Public Schools: improving/rebuilding schools, supporting teachers, and addressing school-budget/funding gaps while limiting taxpayer burdens.

Specific Actions & Proposals

SUPPORTS

Improve and rebuild Yonkers Public Schools

2017-01-01

Merante’s prior campaign materials listed a goal to focus on improving and rebuilding Yonkers Public Schools, while noting his community service with Yonkers Education Advocates and school PTAs.

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SUPPORTS

Increase annual funding for Yonkers public schools

2021-06-18

Merante stated he was proud that the city had been able to add $25 million in annual funding for Yonkers public schools and called public school funding critically important.

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SUPPORTS

Support teachers and fair operating budgets without overburdening taxpayers

2025-09-29

In a 2025 interview, Merante said he would stand with teachers who guide children’s education and support operating budgets that are fair and do not overburden taxpayers.

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Education

Public Safety

Anthony Merante, the Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 35, frames public safety around opposition to New York bail reform and support for stronger law-enforcement authority. He also supports allowing local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement when people are already under arrest or linked to violent criminal organizations.

Specific Actions & Proposals

OPPOSES

Oppose New York bail reform and so-called catch-and-release policies

2026-10-21

Merante says Albany bail reform has created a revolving-door justice system that releases arrested criminals back onto the streets and makes residents feel less safe.

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SUPPORTS

Allow local law enforcement cooperation with ICE through the 287(g) program

2026-08-04

Merante argued local authorities should be permitted to determine whether someone already under arrest is wanted by federal authorities or connected to a violent criminal organization, saying Albany should not block police access to information that could protect the public.

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SUPPORTS

Make public safety a priority in the District 35 campaign

2026-10-15

A local campaign-finance profile of the New York State Senate District 35 race reported that Merante has emphasized public safety throughout his political career along with fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, and government accountability.

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