Ed Ra | |
|---|---|
_Ed_Ra_(53735541020)_(cropped).jpg) Ra in 2024 | |
| Minority Leader of theNew York State Assembly | |
| Assumed office February 9, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Barclay |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the19th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Alfano |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mineola, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Garden City South, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Loyola College (BA) St. John's University (JD) Yeshiva University (LLM) |
| Signature |  |
Edward P. Ra is an American politician from the state of New York. He representsNew York's 19th State Assembly district, which includes portions of the towns ofHempstead,North Hempstead andOyster Bay inNassau County onLong Island. ARepublican, Ra was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2010. He became the minority leader of the Assembly in February 2026.
Edward P. Ra was born inMineola, New York and raised inFranklin Square, New York. He earned aB.A. in computer science fromLoyola College in 2004. He received hisJuris Doctor fromSt. John's University School of Law in 2007 andLL.M. in Intellectual Property Law fromBenjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2008.[1]
Prior to entering elected office, Ra served as the deputy town attorney for theTown of Hempstead. He was also a legal aide in the Office of theNew York State Attorney General.[1]
In 2010, AssemblymanThomas Alfano decided not to seek reelection, and Ra entered the race to succeed him. Ra defeated Democrat Patrick Nicolosi in November 2010.[2] In 2018, Ra defeated Democrat Bill Carr 55% to 45%; at the time, this was his closest race since the 2010 election.[3]
Ra has served as ranking minority member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.[4] Previously, he served as assistant minority leader pro tempore and also as ranking member of the Assembly Education Committee.[5]
He has opposed congestion pricing in New York City, proposing a bill that would require the Legislature to approve any tolls charged at New York City's tunnels and bridges.[4]
Ra and Democratic AssemblymemberAlex Bores founded the New York Future Caucus, which is a bipartisan caucus of legislators aged 45 and under.[4][6]
Ra was unanimously elected minority leader of the New York State Assembly on February 9, 2026. He replacedWill Barclay, who had resigned the post.[7][6]
Ra lives inGarden City South, New York[8][9][1] with his wife, Laura.[1][8]
| New York State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theNew York State Assembly from the19th district 2011–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Minority Leader of theNew York Assembly 2026–present | |