Lester Chang is a Republican/Conservative member of the New York State Assembly representing District 49, which covers parts of South Brooklyn including Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Sunset Park, Borough Park, and areas of Kings County. Born in America to Chinese immigrant parents, he grew up on Eldridge Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side and currently resides in Brooklyn. Elected in 2022 by defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Peter J. Abbate Jr. in an upset in the majority Asian-American district, he was sworn in on January 3, 2023, and won re-election in 2024 with 97.3% of the vote. Notable achievements include his military service as a Navy Reserve and New York Naval Militia veteran with a tour in Afghanistan, volunteering in 2020 to help convert the Jacob Javits Convention Center into a COVID field hospital, and over 30 years as a Poll Site Coordinator for the Board of Elections; he advocates for reducing crime, supporting law enforcement, lifting charter school caps, and aiding the homeless, veterans, and formerly incarcerated. Recent activity includes protesting the integration of homeless and non-homeless populations in Borough Park apartments in March 2026.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Product of New York’s public education system; attended Brooklyn College studying banking and finance; earned a master’s degree in International Transportation from SUNY Maritime College.
• Professional and Military Experience: 20 years in global trade and logistics management; war veteran with service in Afghanistan; Navy Reserve and New York Naval Militia member.
• Political Experience: Elected to Assembly District 49 in 2022 and re-elected in 2024; focuses on public safety, education reform, business deregulation, and support for vulnerable populations.