VoterLens
New York State Assembly District 116
State University of New York at Cobleskill—Bachelor's
Data last updated 10/21/2026
Scott Gray was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022, representing District 116, which includes parts of Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. He is a small business owner and fourth-generation owner of Gray’s Flower Shop in Watertown, and previously served 21 years as a Jefferson County legislator, including six years as chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators. He has also served on local organization boards including United Way of NNY and the Carthage Area Hospital Board.
Committee Assignments: Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse · Committee on Energy · Committee on Health · Committee on Higher Education · Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development
Scott Gray’s healthcare position centers on preserving rural healthcare access in the 116th Assembly District, especially hospitals, clinics, EMS, maternal care, and emergency services. He supports stabilizing North Country healthcare institutions through partnerships, state scrutiny of closures, fair reimbursement, workforce support, and targeted funding for local emergency care.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Gray made healthcare one of his three 2026 priorities and said rural healthcare priorities include stability, workforce, fair reimbursement for rural providers, EMS, and volunteer first responders.
SourceGray said his office was working to stabilize North Star Health Alliance after its Chapter 11 filing so essential health services could continue in the area.
SourceGray stated he remained opposed to closing the labor and delivery unit at Claxton-Hepburn and asked the governor and Department of Health to scrutinize the closure and preserve care in the region.
SourceGray praised the strategic partnership as a path toward long-term financial and operational stability for essential healthcare services in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.
SourceGray announced completion of a $50,000 grant to support the Town of Watertown ambulance service and help purchase an ambulance to keep emergency response reliable.
SourceScott Gray emphasizes lowering costs, keeping energy reliable and affordable for employers, and supporting workforce pathways tied to local education, energy, health care, agriculture, tourism, and military-related economic activity in the 116th Assembly District. He frames advanced nuclear, high-tech business development, small-business growth, and workforce training as ways to create good jobs and strengthen the North Country tax base.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Gray supports advanced nuclear development, arguing it would provide reliable affordable power, permanent high-skill jobs, construction employment, and broader supply-chain economic activity for the North Country.
SourceGray's Assembly biography says that as a small business owner he recognizes the challenges of operating in New York and supports policies that promote job creation and growth.
SourceGray stated that education is workforce development and called for clear pathways that let students transition into the local economy.
SourceGray identified reliable affordable power as a 2026 priority, saying energy costs affect household bills and whether businesses expand or leave, with the goal of lower bills, good jobs, a stronger tax base, and energy security.
SourceScott Gray’s immigration-related record emphasizes border security, local control over asylum-seeker housing, limits on migrant housing at SUNY facilities, and greater cooperation between New York law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. He has also supported due process and safe return in a local federal immigration case involving a family.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Gray stated that New York law enforcement agencies need the ability to communicate and collaborate with federal immigration authorities to keep communities safe.
SourceScott Gray emphasizes affordable, reliable energy and an "all-of-the-above" approach that includes natural gas, advanced nuclear, responsible renewables, and local control. He opposes what he describes as impractical climate and electrification mandates when they raise costs or reduce local tax benefits, while supporting guardrails for data centers, battery storage, and large energy users.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Gray supported the Assembly Minority Conference's LOWER Plan, including utility rebates, expanding energy supply through natural gas, nuclear, and other affordable sources, and repealing all-electric building and vehicle mandates.
SourceGray argued that New York should pursue advanced nuclear power as dispatchable, emissions-free baseload generation to address affordability and grid reliability concerns.
SourceGray criticized the enacted solar and wind assessment law, warning it would reduce school and local-government revenue from large renewable-energy projects and calling for changes to protect host communities.
SourceScott Gray frames education as workforce development for the North Country, emphasizing career and technical education, BOCES, apprenticeships, affordable SUNY/community college pathways, and addressing teacher and staff shortages. He has also supported school funding increases, universal free school meals, flexibility for districts on electric bus mandates, and school safety measures.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Gray stated that his 2026 education focus is strong career and technical education, better BOCES support, more apprenticeships, and affordable community college and SUNY pathways tied to local jobs.
SourceGray pledged to continue supporting BOCES, SUNY institutions, and community colleges so North Country education leads directly to strong career paths.
SourceGray argued that the electric school bus mandate creates uncertain and potentially unfunded costs for districts and said meaningful rollback would provide immediate relief to school districts.
SourceGray joined Assembly Minority colleagues in presenting school safety proposals including statewide school resource officer training, school safety agents, mental health supports, anonymous tip lines, and capital aid changes for safety projects.
SourceScott Gray, Republican Assemblyman for New York State Assembly District 116, frames public safety as a top priority, emphasizing support for law enforcement, tougher bail/discovery rules, and measures he says protect correction officers and first responders. He has called for reversing bail reform, supported budget discovery-law changes, opposed police-radio legislation over officer/victim safety concerns, and introduced a resolution against blacklisting correction officers after prison strikes.
Specific Actions & Proposals
Gray called for increased public safety measures and a reversal of previously passed bail reform laws, saying New York should return judicial discretion to courts to address repeat offenders.
SourceGray opposed the Keep Police Radio Public Act, arguing that immediate access to police radio transmissions could endanger first responders and victims unless safeguards such as a brief delay are added.
SourceGray supported reforms to New York discovery laws in the 2025-2026 budget, saying they would help prevent serious criminal cases from being dismissed over minor technical omissions while preserving defendants' rights.
SourceGray emphasized support for proposed public safety measures including a mask ban, expanded involuntary commitment provisions, and discovery reform, while warning against a proposed early prison release program.
SourceNew York State Assembly - Biography
https://assembly.ny.gov/mem/?ad=116&sh=bioFetched: biography, location, background
New York State Assembly - Committee Membership
https://assembly.ny.gov/mem/?ad=116&sh=commFetched: committees
Vote Smart - Scott Gray Biography
https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/44752/scott-grayFetched: education, location, biography
Wikipedia - Scott Gray (politician)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Gray_(politician)Fetched: age, biography
New York State Assembly Member Directory
https://www2.nyassembly.gov/mem/?sh=mainFetched: votingRecord
MyRepTracker
https://myreptracker.com/new-york/legislators/ny-house-116-scott-gray/voting-recordFetched: votingRecord
Transparency USA
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/race/new-york-state-assembly-district-116-74528Fetched: campaignFinance
Transparency USA
https://www.transparencyusa.org/ny/candidate/scott-gray?cycle=2024-election-cycleFetched: campaignFinance
Election Simplified
https://electionssimplified.com/candidates/aa934ac9-1ea2-44cf-9aaf-f70a1388cd7dFetched: campaignFinance
Search results for Scott Gray FollowTheMoney
https://www.google.com/search?q=Scott+Gray+followthemoney+New+York+State+Assembly+District+116Fetched: campaignFinance
New York State United Teachers
https://www.nysut.org/resources/special-resources-sites/voter-guide/endorsementsFetched: endorsements
New York State Public Employees Federation
https://www.pef.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Assembly-Endorsed-Candidates.pdfFetched: endorsements
Scott Gray for Assembly
https://www.grayforassembly.com/national-federation-of-independent-business-nfib-endorses-scott-gray/Fetched: endorsements
New York League of Conservation Voters
https://nylcv.org/wp-content/uploads/nys-scorecard-2024.pdfFetched: ratings
The Freedom Index
https://thefreedomindex.org/ny/legislator/24505/votes/ny-scorecard-2025/pdf/scb/Fetched: ratings
New York State Assembly - Scott Gray 2026 Legislative Priorities
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/116452Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Start of 2026 Legislative Session Statement
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/116435Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - North Star Filing and Healthcare Update
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/116936Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Claxton-Hepburn Labor and Delivery Closure Statement
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/119046Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - North Star and Rochester Regional Partnership
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/119135Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Watertown Ambulance Grant
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/119318Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Scott Gray member biography
https://assembly.ny.gov/mem/?ad=116&sh=bioFetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - New York Needs a Backbone, and Advanced Nuclear Is It
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/117650Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Gray Area: Budget Stalemate, High-Energy Users, and District Visits Mark the Week
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/118322Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Gray Outlines Some of His 2026 Legislative Priorities
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/116452Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Assemblyman Scott Gray on Start of 2026 Legislative Session
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/116435Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly member page for Scott Gray, District 116
https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=116&sh=sponsorFetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly bill page for A03869
https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?Actions=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y&Summary=Y&Text=Y&bn=A03869&default_fld=&term=2025Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly bill page for A05077
https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A05077&leg_video=Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly bill page for A01528
https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01528&leg_video=Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Senate bill page for A2262
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2262Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly press release on border security and Green Light Law
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/113647Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly statement on federal immigration case
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/113648Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://www.nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/118361Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://www.nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/117434Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Scott-Gray/story/117650Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/114185Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/116071Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Scott Gray on Start of 2026 Legislative Session
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/116435Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Assemblyman Scott Gray Issues Statement On 2025-2026 State Budget Votes
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/114010Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Assemblyman Scott Gray Statement on Passage of Fourth Budget Extender
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/117857Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly - Gray, Assembly Minority Task Force Share Legislative Solutions to Improve School Safety and Security
https://www.nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/105591Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/104815Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://www.nyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/114448Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://www.assembly.ny.gov/mem/Scott-Gray/story/114010Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Scott-Gray/story/113651Fetched: issuePositions
New York State Assembly Member Directory - Scott Gray
https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Scott-Gray/story/113841Fetched: issuePositions