Andrew was born and raised in Bay Ridge and graduated from Fort Hamilton High School. He earned bachelor's degrees from Hunter College and George Washington University Law School. He lives in Bay Ridge with his wife and 2 sons.

Andrew previously served as counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and as a trustee of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System. He also worked as an aide to former City Councilmember Vincent Gentile and as a legislative aide for investigations in the United States Senate.

Andrew S. Gounardes is a state senator State Senate District 26. He was elected in 2018 and is serving his 3rd term.

Supported the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit, saying that it "lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty" and opposes the credit's expiration, saying that "Washington dropped the ball."

Proposes a family tax credit for New York, with a maximum of $1,600 per child.

Proposes allowing religious organizations to build affordable housing on their land, saying that many would like to do so "but can’t because of restrictive zoning."

- Supported the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit, saying that it "lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty" and opposes the credit's expiration, saying that "Washington dropped the ball."
- Proposes a family tax credit for New York, with a maximum of $1,600 per child.
- Proposes allowing religious organizations to build affordable housing on their land, saying that many would like to do so "but can’t because of restrictive zoning."

Economy

Proposes a 20% reduction target for car usage by 2050, replacing it with public transit, biking infrastructure, and walkable streets.

- Proposes a 20% reduction target for car usage by 2050, replacing it with public transit, biking infrastructure, and walkable streets.

Energy & the Environment

As of June 7, 2025, Andrew S. Gounardes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports protecting pedestrians by increasing fees on large vehicles.

Proposes increasing the number of red light cameras.

Proposes installing speed reduction devices in the cars of drivers who receive repeated speeding or red light tickets.

Proposes that all large public venues have EpiPens, devices that administer treatments for allergic reactions, available.

- Supports protecting pedestrians by increasing fees on large vehicles.
- Proposes increasing the number of red light cameras.
- Proposes installing speed reduction devices in the cars of drivers who receive repeated speeding or red light tickets.
- Proposes that all large public venues have EpiPens, devices that administer treatments for allergic reactions, available.

Public Safety

Candidate website

Supports increasing the number of full-time faculty members while providing a pathway for more adjunct professors.

Supports making City University of New York (CUNY) tuition-free for all students.

Supports increasing the number of academic advisors and clinical mental health counselors to ensure students have the necessary support.

Supports creating a five-year capital plan for City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) to address critical maintenance needs.

Supports legislation that recommends schools conduct at least two active shooter drills annually, while allowing schools to conduct more if they choose.

Proposes requiring schools to provide college financial aid applications to every student before they graduate.

Proposes a ban on college admissions considering applicant's family members who attended the school.

- Supports increasing the number of full-time faculty members while providing a pathway for more adjunct professors.
- Supports making City University of New York (CUNY) tuition-free for all students.
- Supports increasing the number of academic advisors and clinical mental health counselors to ensure students have the necessary support.
- Supports creating a five-year capital plan for City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) to address critical maintenance needs.
- Supports legislation that recommends schools conduct at least two active shooter drills annually, while allowing schools to conduct more if they choose.
- Proposes requiring schools to provide college financial aid applications to every student before they graduate.
- Proposes a ban on college admissions considering applicant's family members who attended the school.

Education

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Andrew S. Gounardes

Ballotpedia: Vito Labella

Vito is originally from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He earned his bachelor's degree from Creighton University. He lives with his wife Kim and their 3 children in Bay Ridge. 

Vito served as a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer for 32 years, retiring in 2017 as a lieutenant. He also has worked as an actor in Off-Off Broadway theaters throughout New York City.

Vito J. Labella previously ran for New York City Council District 43 in 2023 and New York State Senate District 17 in 2022, but did not win either election.

As of June 7, 2025, Vito J. Labella’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports maintaining abortion access and providing resources to new mothers or changing adoption policies to make it easier to keep a baby or decide to give it away for adoption. 

- Supports maintaining abortion access and providing resources to new mothers or changing adoption policies to make it easier to keep a baby or decide to give it away for adoption. 
- Opposes marijuana legalization.

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Vito J. Labella

- Your state senator is involved in the legislative process at the state level as part of the New York State Senate, which consists of 63 members and serves as the upper house of the New York State Legislature, the state's lawmaking body. 
- State senators are responsible for representing your interests and assisting you with navigating state services while bringing resources back to your district.  
- State senators draft laws, approve budgets, oversee the state executive branch, and engage in debates and votes on proposed legislation.  
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your state senator can serve on committees, where many bills may be delayed before reaching a vote.  
- State senators are elected for a two-year term with no term limits.  
- Their annual salary is $142,000.  

Your representative and state lawmaker in the New York Senate.

New York State Senator, District 26

Candidates (2)