Brian Kavanagh: Relationships

Legislative Allies

Kavanagh's closest legislative relationships have been with other progressive Democrats who share his policy priorities .

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has been a key ally, particularly in enabling Kavanagh's appointment as Housing Committee chair following the 2018 Democratic Senate majority . Kavanagh's housing and election reform agenda depended on the Democratic majority that Stewart-Cousins led beginning in January 2019 .

In the Assembly, Kavanagh worked extensively with Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, who chairs the Assembly Housing Committee and co-sponsors much of the same tenant protection legislation . Assemblymember Emily Gallagher partnered with Kavanagh as the Assembly sponsor of the All-Electric Building Act . Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon co-sponsored the LLC loophole bill in the Assembly and collaborated on red flag gun legislation .

Senator Brad Hoylman (now Hoylman-Sigal) co-sponsored the Extreme Risk Protection Orders legislation with Kavanagh and supported the All-Electric Building Act . Senator Michael Gianaris, as Senate Deputy Leader, supported both the LLC loophole closure and the All-Electric Building Act .

Predecessor and Successor Dynamics

Kavanagh succeeded Senator Daniel Squadron, who resigned in August 2017 to found a national nonprofit . Squadron had previously worked with Kavanagh on election reform and the LLC loophole campaign . Kavanagh was preceded in the 74th Assembly District by Sylvia M. Friedman, whom he defeated in the 2006 primary . He was succeeded in the Assembly by Harvey Epstein .

Following Kavanagh's February 2026 retirement announcement, Assemblymember Grace Lee, who represents an overlapping district, announced she was exploring a campaign for the open 27th District seat . Former Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou also announced a bid for the seat . In prior races in the area, the real estate industry had preferred Lee, while progressive organizations had aligned more closely with Niou .

Advocacy and Nonprofit Relationships

Kavanagh has maintained close working relationships with tenant advocacy organizations, most prominently Housing Justice for All, the coalition that has partnered with him on rent reform and the Make Rent Affordable platform . The Legal Aid Society, particularly through its Civil Law Reform Unit led by Judith Goldiner, has collaborated with Kavanagh on eviction moratorium legislation and rent stabilization enforcement .

On gun violence prevention, Kavanagh founded two legislative caucuses: American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention and New York Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention . He has worked with Everytown for Gun Safety, the Giffords organization, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, and the Prosecutors Against Gun Violence coalition co-chaired by the Manhattan District Attorney .

On environmental issues, Kavanagh serves on the Board of Directors of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators . His environmental work has been supported by the New York League of Conservation Voters, which awarded him its Eco-Star Award, and by Environmental Advocates of New York, which has given him top ratings . The Sierra Club, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Earthjustice, and the Sane Energy Project all supported the All-Electric Building Act .

City Government Relationships

Kavanagh's early career included service on the staff of City Council Member Gale Brewer, who went on to serve as Manhattan Borough President and later returned to the Council . He worked in the administrations of Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, establishing connections in city government that informed his later housing and homelessness work .

He collaborated with Governor Kathy Hochul on multiple legislative priorities including the COVID-19 eviction moratorium extensions and the rent stabilization enforcement bill signed in December 2023 . He worked with former Governor Andrew Cuomo on the 2019 rent law package and the LLC loophole closure .

Labor and Organizational Affiliations

Kavanagh is a member of the Working Families Party, which has cross-endorsed him in multiple elections . He is President of the American-Irish Legislators Society and has received the society's legislative award . He is a member of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force in the legislature . He has served as a board member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps .

Adversarial Relationships

The New York real estate industry, represented by organizations including the Real Estate Board of New York, has been Kavanagh's most consistent opposition . Industry leaders have characterized his housing policies as harmful to property investment and have lobbied against the 2019 rent law changes, Good Cause Eviction, and the REST Act . The Real Deal reported that the industry would celebrate his departure from the Housing Committee chairmanship .