VoterLens
New York State Assembly District 12
American University—Bachelor's; Quinnipiac University—JD
Data last updated 10/21/2026
Craig Herskowitz was born in Huntington and raised in Northport, and is an attorney with experience in federal law enforcement, including service with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division on matters involving terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering. He was appointed Assistant Counsel to the Governor in 2019, later served as a New York City Administrative Law Judge, and currently works as an immigration attorney.
Committee Assignments: No committee assignments available.
Craig Herskowitz's 2026 Assembly campaign identifies quality healthcare as part of his quality-of-life agenda for New York State Assembly District 12. His healthcare record and stated positions emphasize COVID-era access measures, including telehealth and copayment waivers for testing and vaccination, and he has support from healthcare and reproductive-rights-aligned organizations.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Herskowitz's 2026 campaign site says that, as a candidate for New York State Assembly District 12, he will stand with local communities for clean water, safe streets, and quality healthcare.
SourceHerskowitz is listed by Blue Voter Guide under Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes endorsements for New York State Assembly District 12, an endorsement category associated with healthcare and reproductive-rights advocacy.
SourceCraig Herskowitz frames Economy & Jobs around affordability, reducing financial burdens for Long Islanders, securing more state funding for local needs, and helping small businesses and families through tax relief, loans, grants, and deductions. He is a 2026 Democratic/Working Families candidate for New York State Assembly District 12, not a sitting state legislator, so the available record is stated positions rather than roll-call votes or sponsorships.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Herskowitz says he will work to reduce tax burdens and secure additional state funding for schools and infrastructure to ease pressure on taxpayers and local governments.
SourceIn the VOTE411 guide for New York Assembly District 12, Herskowitz listed affordability as his first of three top priorities if elected.
SourceIn a candidate Q&A, Herskowitz said legislative offices can help small businesses under inflation stress by assisting them in securing small business loans, grant opportunities, and tax deductions.
SourceHerskowitz said his plan was to bring funds into the district for projects including the Asharoken sea wall, sewer systems, LIRR electrification to Port Jefferson, MTA improvements, and schools.
SourceHerskowitz cites his prior work in the governor's office providing tax relief for small businesses and families and helping establish a restaurant return-to-work tax credit program.
SourceCraig Herskowitz supports pro-immigrant protections, including the New York For All Act, and frames immigration problems primarily as federal processing and resource failures rather than the fault of immigrants. He also says migrants should be able to work, pay taxes, and contribute to the economy, and he opposes demonizing migrants seeking a better life.
Specific Actions & Proposals
In a VOTE411 response for New York Assembly District 12, Herskowitz said the New York For All Act is a priority bill he supports to protect New Yorkers and improve equity.
SourceHerskowitz's official Assembly District 12 campaign site says he would bring expertise in law enforcement and immigration protections to ensure every Long Islander's rights against federal intrusion.
SourceIn a 2024 candidate discussion reported by TBR News Media, Herskowitz said demonizing migrants coming to the United States for a better life is a nonstarter and described immigrant labor as a major economic boost.
SourceIn a Patch candidate preview, Herskowitz called the immigration crisis a federal failure and said there are not enough resources, including judges, to handle immigrants' growing caseloads.
SourceTBR News Media reported Herskowitz said migrants want to work and should be able to work, pay taxes, and contribute to the economy, adding that comprehensive immigration reform is needed because the system is broken.
SourceCraig Herskowitz, Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 12 in 2026, identifies environmental protections as a top priority and supports climate legislation including the New York HEAT Act, the Lead Service Line Replacement Act, and stronger enforcement of existing climate laws. Environmental endorsement materials also describe him as supporting New York Climate Act goals, clean-energy infrastructure, groundwater protection, sewer/septic upgrades, wetland and aquifer protection, and coastal resiliency funding for Long Island communities.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Herskowitz said the New York HEAT Act is among the most beneficial policies to address climate change and climate damage in New York State.
SourceHerskowitz said he supports the Lead Service Line Replacement Act as part of his climate and environmental agenda for New York State.
SourceThe Sierra Club Long Island endorsement states that Herskowitz strongly supports New York Climate Act goals including building electrification, solar infrastructure, battery storage and grid upgrades, and would seek state funding for green infrastructure and coastal resiliency projects.
SourceCraig Herskowitz’s stated education-related priority for New York State Assembly District 12 is to secure additional state funding for schools as part of easing burdens on local taxpayers and government. He is also endorsed by NYSUT, whose 2026 endorsement materials frame endorsed candidates as committed to public education, educators, students, and school communities.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Herskowitz says he will work to reduce tax burdens and secure additional state funding for schools and infrastructure to ease the burden on taxpayers and local government.
SourceNYSUT endorsed Herskowitz in Assembly District 12 after stating its endorsed candidates have demonstrated commitment to public education, school professionals, students, and working families.
SourceCraig Herskowitz frames public safety as both keeping streets safe and ensuring community members, including immigrants, are not afraid to leave home or seek help. For Assembly District 12, he emphasizes safe streets, better police-community relationships, and using his law-enforcement and immigration-law background to protect Long Islanders' rights.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Herskowitz lists safe streets as part of his quality-of-life agenda for New York State Assembly District 12.
SourceIn the VOTE411 guide for New York Assembly District 12, Herskowitz says the New York For All Act is a priority bill he supports to protect New Yorkers and reduce systemic discrimination.
SourceHerskowitz told TBR News Media he wants people to feel comfortable going to police and not be afraid, and supports ways for police to work with communities, including as resources for kids in schools.
SourceBallotReady
https://www.ballotready.org/people/craig-herskowitzFetched: biography, education, professional background, candidate office
Craig Herskowitz for New York State Assembly
https://craigfornewyork.com/Fetched: biography, hometown, professional background, candidate office
VOTE411 Voter Guide
https://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=26978853Fetched: biography, education, hometown, candidate office
Transparency USA - New York State Assembly District 12 Election
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/race/new-york-state-assembly-district-12-74532Fetched: campaignFinance
Transparency USA - Craig for New York Committee
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/committee/craig-for-new-york-580534Fetched: campaignFinance
Transparency USA - Craig Herskowitz Candidate Profile
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/candidate/craig-herskowitzFetched: votingRecord, campaignFinance
New York State Board of Elections Public Reporting System
https://publicreporting.elections.ny.gov/Fetched: campaignFinance
NYSUT Endorsements
https://www.nysut.org/resources/special-resources-sites/voter-guide/endorsementsFetched: endorsements
Sierra Club Long Island SC Endorsements
https://www.lisierraclub.org/sc-endorsementsFetched: endorsements
StreetsPAC 2026 NYS Post-Primary Endorsements
https://www.streetspac.org/2026_nys_post_primary_endorsementsFetched: endorsements
Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes Endorsements
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-empire-state-votes/endorsementsFetched: endorsements
Blue Voter Guide Craig Herskowitz Endorsements
https://bluevoterguide.org/NY/candidate_Craig_Herskowitz/515420Fetched: endorsements
VOTE411 New York Assembly District 12 Candidate Detail
https://onyourballot.vote411.org/candidate-detail.do?id=73189364Fetched: endorsements
Patch
https://patch.com/new-york/smithtown/candidate-profile-craig-herskowitz-ny-senate-district-2Fetched: issuePositions
Suffolk County Democrats
https://www.d1024.suffolkcountydems.com/candidate/craig-herskowitzFetched: issuePositions
Blue Voter Guide
https://bluevoterguide.org/endorser-org/Planned_Parenthood_Empire_State_Votes/NY/9217Fetched: issuePositions
Messenger Papers
https://messengerpapers.com/2024/10/smithtown-candidate-spotlight/Fetched: issuePositions
VOTE411 Voter Guide
https://onyourballot.vote411.org/candidate-detail.do?id=73189364Fetched: issuePositions
TBR News Media
https://tbrnewsmedia.com/mario-mattera-and-craig-herskowitz-candidates-for-new-yorks-2nd-senate-district/Fetched: issuePositions
Patch
https://patch.com/new-york/smithtown/mario-mattera-vs-craig-herskowitz-nys-senate-district-2-previewFetched: issuePositions
TBR News Media Craig Herskowitz tag archive
https://tbrnewsmedia.com/tag/craig-herskowitz/Fetched: issuePositions
VOTE411 Candidate Guide
https://onyourballot.vote411.org/candidate-detail.do?id=73189364Fetched: issuePositions
VOTE411 Race Guide
https://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=26978853Fetched: issuePositions
Sierra Club Long Island Endorsements
https://www.lisierraclub.org/sc-endorsementsFetched: issuePositions
TBR News Media
https://tbrnewsmedia.com/craig-herskowitz-seeks-legislative-seat-says-more-can-be-done-for-public-safety/Fetched: issuePositions