Rebecca A. Seawright is a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly representing the 76th District, which includes the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island in Manhattan. Elected in 2014 as the first woman to serve the district, she advocates for over 140,000 constituents, including the largest concentration of elder New Yorkers in Manhattan. Notable achievements include securing hundreds of millions in state funding for public schools, senior centers, parks, and non-profits; leading the Assembly sponsorship of the Equal Rights Amendment to the New York State Constitution, ratified by voters in 2024; advancing landmark housing reforms to abolish vacancy decontrol and restrict rent hikes; and securing additional polling sites for the 2020 and 2021 elections. She currently serves as Chair of the Aging Committee and is a Director of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, participating in bipartisan caucuses on pro-choice, Jewish, environmental, and gun reform issues. She also sits on the Ways and Means, Codes, Higher Education, and Judiciary committees.

Education and Political Experience

Limited public details are available on her formal education. Seawright's political career began with her 2014 election, defeating three Democratic primary opponents to succeed retiring Assemblyman Micah Kellner and winning the general election with nearly 67% of the vote; she was sworn in on January 1, 2015. Prior leadership roles include Chair of the People with Disabilities Committee, Chair of the Majority Steering Committee, Secretary of the Majority Conference, and Chair of the Task Force on Women’s Issues. She is a lifelong advocate for women’s rights, education, seniors, human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, affordable housing, environmental protection, public health, election reform, criminal justice reform, and government transparency.