New York's thirtieth state senate district is represented by Democratic Senator Brian Benjamin.

New York state senators represent an average of 312,550 residents, as of the 2010 Census. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 306,072 residents.

About the office

Members of the New York State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. New York legislators assume office the first Wednesday in January. When the first Wednesday in January falls on January 1, it shall meet the next Wednesday.

Qualifications

Article 3, Section 7 of the New York Constitution states: "No person shall serve as a member of the legislature unless he or she is a citizen of the United States and has been a resident of the state of New York for five years, and, except as hereinafter otherwise prescribed, of the assembly or senate district for the twelve months immediately preceding his or her election; if elected a senator or member of assembly at the first election next ensuing after a readjustment or alteration of the senate or assembly districts becomes effective, a person, to be eligible to serve as such, must have been a resident of the county in which the senate or assembly district is contained for the twelve months immediately preceding his or her election. No member of the legislature shall, during the time for which he or she was elected, receive any civil appointment from the governor, the governor and the senate, the legislature or from any city government, to an office which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time."

Salaries

Pension

Some legislators in New York are able to begin collecting a state pension while still serving in office and also receiving their normal salary. Under state law, if a lawmaker took office prior to 1995, they are eligible to begin collecting an annual pension once they turn 65. Those who took office after 1994 are not able to collect a pension while still in office. As of 2011, Rep. Herman Farrell (D) was the highest-paid state legislator, collecting his $113,500 salary as well as a pension of $81,619.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. An election can be held as long the vacancy happened before April 1st in an election year. The person elected to fill the vacant seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of New York State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline is April 2, 2020.

2018

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

2017

A special election for the position of New York State Senate District 30 was held on May 23, 2017. The last day for candidates to accept or decline nomination was March 20, 2017.

The seat was vacant following Bill Perkins's (D) election to the New York City Council.

Brian Benjamin (D) defeated Dawn Simmons (R) and Ruben D. Vargas (Reform) in the special election. According to a breakdown of presidential election results by state legislative districts, Hillary Clinton (D) won this seat in 2016 by 90 points.

New York State Senate, District 30, Special Election, 2017

2016

Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.

Incumbent Bill Perkins defeated Jon Girodes in the New York State Senate District 30 general election.

New York State Senate, District 30 General Election, 2016

Incumbent Bill Perkins ran unopposed in the New York State Senate District 30 Democratic primary. Perkins also ran on the Working Families Party ticket.
Jon Girodes ran unopposed in the New York State Senate District 30 Republican primary.

2014

Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014. Incumbent Bill Perkins was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Jon Girodes was unopposed in the Republican primary. Ruben D. Vargas was removed from the ballot before the Democratic primary. Perkins also ran on the Working Families Party ticket. Perkins defeated Girodes in the general election.

New York State Senate District 30, General Election, 2014

2012

Elections for the office of New York State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 13, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 12, 2012. Incumbent Bill Perkins (D) was unopposed in both the general election and Democratic primary. He also ran on the Working Families Party ticket.

New York State Senate, District 30, General Election, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for New York State Senate District 30 raised a total of $1,467,418. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $77,233 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, New York State Senate District 30