Ari Brown (politician)
Ari Brown | |
|---|---|
Brown in 2025 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 20th district | |
| Assumed office April 25, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Melissa Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 6, 1975 |
| Party | Republican |
| Children | 7 |
| Signature | |
| Website | Campaign website Legislative website |
Eric "Ari" Brown (born February 6, 1968) is an American businessman and politician serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 20th district in a special election on April 7, 2022, and was sworn in on April 25, 2022.[1][2] He is a Republican.[3] He previously served as a trustee of Cedarhurst including as deputy mayor from 2019 to 2022 and ran a construction business.[4][3]
New York State Assembly
Brown was the Republican and Conservative Party's nominee for a special election on April 7, 2022, called after incumbent Melissa Miller resigned to join the Hempstead Town Council. He faced Democratic nominee David Lobl.[4] He was sworn into the office on April 25, 2022, becoming the first Republican Orthodox Jew elected to the body.[1] He named repealing cashless bail and congestion pricing in New York City as well as stopping transit and toll price increases as priorities in office.[5]
Tenure
In March 2025, Brown introduced legislation that would prohibit administration of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and direct the New York State Department of Health to study it further, also stating that he had received the measles vaccine and encouraged others to get it but took no issue with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s skepticism of the vaccine’s safety.[6]
Brown was cut off by chairman J. Gary Pretlow for asking a series of off-topic questions concerning antisemitism when mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani testified before the legislature's budget committee in February 2026.[7]
Personal life
Brown resides in Cedarhurst, New York, and has 7 children. He is an Orthodox Jew.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Gronich, March (April 28, 2022). "First Orthodox Jewish Republican Assemblyman Sworn Into Office in Albany". The Jewish Link. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "Republicans declare victory in 20th Assembly District special election". Herald Community Newspapers. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ a b "Republicans select Brown for 20th Assembly District". Herald Community Newspapers. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ a b Bessen, Jeff (March 30, 2022). "Ari Brown vs. David Lobl for New York Assembly". Long Island Herald. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Destra, Shantel (December 19, 2022). "The new state lawmakers in the 2023 legislative session". City & State. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Pearson, Austin C. (March 24, 2025). "As measles threatens New York, doctors confront anti-vaccine misinformation". City & State. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ McDonough, Annie; Donaldson, Sahalie (February 11, 2026). "Ta-da! NYC budget gap is now down to $7 billion, Mamdani says". City & State. Retrieved February 13, 2026.