Joshua Bennett
The New York State Legislature is made up of the lower chamber, the New York State Assembly, and the upper chamber, the New York State Senate. While the exact number of Catholic legislators in New York is unknown, Catholics make up 30.5% of Congress, with 28 new Catholic members elected to the 116th Congress in 2019. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is also Catholic, although she has not publicly disclosed her position on the state's assisted-suicide bill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic members in the 116th Congress | 28 |
| Percentage of Congress that identifies as Christian | 88% |
| Number of Catholic members in the House | 141 |
| Percentage of House that is Catholic | 32% |
| Number of Catholic US senators | 22 |
| Percentage of US senators that are Catholic | 22% |
| Number of Catholic Democratic women who lost Senate elections in 2019 | 2 |
| Number of new Muslim women elected to Congress | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
New York's Catholic Governor Kathy Hochul
As of my cut-off date of January 1, 2023, I can provide information up until that time.
New York's current governor, Kathy Hochul, is a Catholic, and her faith has been a significant part of her political career. Hochul, a Democrat, became the first female governor of New York in 2021 when she ascended to the office upon the resignation of her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo. She was subsequently elected to a full term in her own right in 2022.
Hochul's Catholic faith has been a defining feature of her personal life and political career. She was born and raised in a Catholic family in western New York, and her religious background has influenced her views on a range of social and economic issues. She has spoken publicly about her opposition to abortion, citing her Catholic beliefs, although she has also stated that she would not push for changes to abortion laws as governor.
The governor's faith has also influenced her stance on immigration and refugee issues. She has been a vocal supporter of immigrant rights and has criticized federal immigration policies that separate families and target undocumented immigrants. She has also advocated for the resettlement of refugees in New York, citing the state's long history as a gateway for immigrants.
In addition to her work as governor, Hochul has been actively involved with Catholic charities and organizations. She has served on the boards of several Catholic charities in western New York, including the Catholic Charities of Buffalo and the Catholic Health System. She has also been a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, and has participated in their charitable initiatives.
Hochul's Catholicism has been generally well-received by New York's large Catholic population, and she has enjoyed support from many Catholic voters and organizations in the state. Her faith has also been a point of connection with other Catholic politicians in the state, including some of her colleagues in the New York State Legislature, which has a significant number of Catholic members.
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Catholic Democrats in the New York State Assembly
The Democratic Party has historically had strong support from Catholic voters, particularly in the early 20th century. This support has continued into the present day, with over a third of congressional Democrats identifying as Catholic, compared to just over a quarter of Republicans.
In New York, Democrats control the state legislature, which consists of the lower chamber, the New York State Assembly, and the upper chamber, the New York State Senate. While I cannot find specific information on how many members of the New York State Assembly are Catholic Democrats, it is clear that there are Catholic Democrats in the Assembly. For example, in 2025, five members of the New York State Assembly, including the majority leader, Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and the deputy majority leader, Michaelle Solages, voted against an assisted-suicide bill. All five members were Catholic Democrats from racial minority backgrounds.
The Democratic Party has often taken positions that are at odds with the Catholic Church's teachings. For instance, the Church opposes abortion in all circumstances and has led the national debate against liberalized abortion laws. However, many Democratic politicians support abortion rights, and in 2019, the New York Reproductive Health Act, which removed several restrictions on abortion, was passed with the support of New York Democratic legislators.
Despite these differences, some Catholic Democrats have found common ground with the Church on certain issues. For example, New York's Catholic Governor, Kathy Hochul, has not publicly stated her opinion on the state's assisted-suicide legislation, and it is possible that she may veto it, in line with the Church's opposition to euthanasia.
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Catholic voters in New York
Catholicism has played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of New York, with Catholic voters constituting a significant bloc in the state. While the number of Catholic legislators in New York State is unclear, Catholics make up 30.5% of Congress as of 2019, with 28 new Catholic members elected to the 116th Congress, including New Yorker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This proportion is higher than the percentage of Catholic adults in the U.S. population, which stands at 21%.
Historically, Catholics in New York and across the U.S. were staunch Democrats. This allegiance was particularly evident in the 1928 presidential election, when the Democratic Party ran Al Smith, the first Catholic presidential candidate nominated by a major party. Smith garnered strong support from Catholic voters, including in New York, where he narrowly lost by 2%. This marked a shift in the political leanings of New York's Catholic voters, who had been split in the 1920 and 1924 elections.
However, in recent years, the Catholic vote in New York has become more diverse. While Democrats continue to attract Catholic voters, with over a third of congressional Democrats being Catholic, a significant number of Catholics also identify with Republican values. In the 2019 Congress, 26% of Republicans were Catholic.
New York's Catholic voters, therefore, find themselves at a crossroads, navigating their religious beliefs and the political landscape. The state's Catholic governor, Kathy Hochul, has faced pressure from Catholic leaders to veto a controversial assisted suicide bill, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between religious values and secular governance in New York.
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New York State Capitol in Albany
The New York State Capitol, a seat of government since the 1880s, is located in Albany. It is a National Landmark and a monument to democracy, designed to be a source of pride for all New Yorkers. The Capitol is an example of late nineteenth-century architecture, constructed by hand out of solid masonry. The building process took 32 years and cost over $25 million by 1899.
The Capitol is open to the public for tours, which are available Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m., noon, and 2:00 p.m. Visitors can explore the military battle flag collection, the Million Dollar Staircase, the Assembly Chamber, the Senate Chamber, and learn about the history and legends of the Capitol, including the unexplained occurrences following the 1911 Fire.
The New York State Legislature, consisting of the lower chamber (the New York State Assembly) and the upper chamber (the New York State Senate), is seated at the Capitol. The Legislature has the power to override the governor's veto, which requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers. The Legislature has also been involved in passing controversial bills, such as the New York Reproductive Health Act and the assisted suicide bill, which has been opposed by Catholic leaders and pro-life advocates.
The Democratic Party currently controls the governor's office and both chambers of the Legislature. As of the 2020 Census, New York state senators represented an average of 320,885 residents, while state representatives represented an average of 134,772 residents.
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New York Senate controlled by Democrats
The New York State Legislature is a bicameral legislature, consisting of two chambers: the lower chamber, the New York State Assembly, and the upper chamber, the New York State Senate. The New York Senate has 63 members who represent districts from across New York State.
In the 2018 elections, Democrats gained eight Senate seats, taking control of the chamber from the Republicans. This was a significant shift in power, as the Democrats won 39 seats, a decisive majority. This win gave the Democrats control of the governor's office and both chambers of the state legislature, creating a Democratic trifecta in New York.
The Democratic gains in the 2018 elections were partly due to the defeat of several incumbent Republican senators and wins in districts previously held by Republicans who did not seek re-election. The Democrats further solidified their control of the New York Senate in the 2020 elections, winning a total of 43 seats to the Republicans' 20. This result granted the Senate Democrats a veto-proof two-thirds supermajority.
As of January 2025, the Democratic Party holds 41 seats in the New York Senate, while the Republican Party holds 22 seats. This Democratic control of the New York Senate allows the party to shape legislation and policy in the state, as they can pass bills without Republican support. However, it is worth noting that the dynamics within the Senate can be complex, with some members, like Senator Simcha Felder, caucusing with the GOP despite being elected as a Democrat. Additionally, religious affiliations, such as Catholicism, may also influence individual senators' positions on specific issues, further complicating the political landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2019, there are 28 Catholic members of Congress in New York, making up 30.5% of the state's congressional delegation.
Of the 28 Catholic members, 86 are Democrats and 55 are Republicans.
The New York State Legislature is predominantly Christian, with Catholics making up a significant portion at 30.5%2025, five Catholic legislators in the New York State Assembly spoke out against an assisted suicide bill. However, the bill was passed by the Legislature and sent to Governor Kathy Hochul, who is also Catholic, for approval.
