Emily Gallagher: Relationships
Senator Brian Kavanagh
Kavanagh served as the Senate sponsor of the All-Electric Buildings Act, partnering with Gallagher on one of her signature legislative accomplishments. The two jointly introduced the bill and appeared together at multiple press events advocating for its passage .
Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Hoylman-Sigal co-sponsored the LLC Transparency Act with Gallagher, and the two issued joint statements when the legislation passed the legislature and when Governor Hochul signed the LLC Disclosure Act into law in December 2023 .
Senator Julia Salazar
Gallagher and Salazar, who represents the overlapping 18th Senate District in North Brooklyn, have collaborated on tenant advocacy events, including town halls on good cause eviction legislation. The two co-host an annual Women of Distinction ceremony honoring local leaders in their shared community .
Senator Cordell Cleare
Cleare partnered with Gallagher as the Senate sponsor of the Social Housing Development Authority bill, introduced in February 2024 .
Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani
Gallagher and Mamdani entered the Assembly together in the 2020 class of progressive insurgent candidates. Both are DSA members and have appeared together in the Socialists in Office caucus. Gallagher publicly supported Mamdani's 2025 mayoral candidacy, ranking him and Brad Lander on her Democratic primary ballot . As Mayor, Mamdani announced the completion of the McGuinness Boulevard redesign, a priority Gallagher had advocated for since before entering office .
Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes
Mitaynes, another DSA-aligned Assembly member elected in 2020, has appeared alongside Gallagher at multiple legislative rallies and on the opening day of the 2023 session .
Councilmember Lincoln Restler
Restler represents the overlapping City Council District 33 and has been a close ally on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign and other North Brooklyn issues. The two have issued joint statements on street safety and community development .
Borough President Antonio Reynoso
Reynoso endorsed Gallagher's 2016 district leader campaign and has remained a political ally, collaborating on Bushwick Inlet Park advocacy and McGuinness Boulevard safety efforts .
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
Velazquez endorsed Gallagher's 2016 district leader campaign, providing early high-profile support that helped establish Gallagher's credibility in North Brooklyn political circles. Velazquez represents the overlapping 7th Congressional District .
Democratic Socialists of America (NYC Chapter)
Gallagher is a dues-paying DSA member and joined the Socialists in Office caucus in 2021. However, her relationship with the organization has been occasionally uneven: The NYC-DSA chapter did not formally endorse her 2022 re-election campaign due to internal organizational disputes, though she retained her membership and the DSA has since listed the Social Housing Development Authority bill as a top legislative priority .
New Kings Democrats
Gallagher's political career was shaped by her involvement with New Kings Democrats, a Brooklyn-based progressive reform club. The organization approached her in 2016 to consider running for district leader, which served as her entry point into electoral politics .
Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (North Brooklyn Neighbors)
Gallagher co-chaired NAG from 2008 to 2015, building the community organizing experience and neighborhood relationships that formed the foundation of her later Assembly campaign .
Assemblymember Joe Lentol
Gallagher defeated Lentol, who had served in the Assembly for 48 years, in the 2020 Democratic primary. After the election, she expressed respect for his legacy and service, characterizing herself as excited to be his successor. Lentol, in turn, wished her well in his concession statement .