Who is running for New York State Assembly, District 144 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for New York State Assembly, District 144 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in New York State Assembly District 144.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Donna L. Dye SholkDemocrat | Paul A. BolognaRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and climate | No single answer fits; see evidence | Maximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economyOfficial action · medium |
| Policing and crime | No public position | Tougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailOfficial action · medium |
| Election rules | No public position | Photo ID required, with current access otherwiseOfficial action · medium |
| Childcare and pre-K | No public position | Help through tax credits, employer incentives, and parent choiceOfficial action · medium |
| Transgender athletes | No public position | No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsOfficial action · medium |
Donna L. Dye Sholk
DemocratPrivate citizen; certified management accountant
Donna Dye Sholk is a certified management accountant from Lockport with more than 40 years in business finance3. Her campaign lists three priorities: directing Niagara Falls hydropower benefits to Niagara and Erie residents, repairing Lockport's aging water system, and expanding access to health care in rural areas4. She appears on the Democratic and Working Families lines on the November 3, 2026 ballot12.
Where they stand 2 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
HealthcareNo single answer fitslow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign site calls for more access to health care in rural areas where hospitals are closing, shorter emergency room waits, and encouraging University at Buffalo medical graduates to practice locally. (2026) source
Energy and climateNo single answer fitslow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign site calls for allocating unallocated power from the New York Power Authority's Niagara plant to local residents to lower utility bills. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Paul A. Bologna
Republican · IncumbentMember of the New York State Assembly, District 144 (since January 2025)
Paul Bologna of Clarence was elected to the Assembly on November 5, 2024 after serving as chief of staff to his predecessor, Assemblyman Michael Norris1. His Assembly biography lists public safety, affordability, local control over energy projects, support for law enforcement, the migrant crisis and childcare costs as his focus1. He appears on the Republican and Conservative lines on the November 3, 2026 ballot23.
Where they stand 8 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Energy and climateMaximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economymedium
Official action · medium confidence- Sponsors A10082, which would repeal the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and its emissions targets. (2026-01) source
- Sponsors bills to repeal the 2035 zero-emission vehicle requirement, repeal the ban on fossil fuel equipment in new buildings, repeal the ban on hydraulic fracturing, and create an upstate energy choice act. (2025) source
Policing and crimeTougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailmedium
Official action · medium confidence- His Assembly biography says he focuses on public safety and support for law enforcement and first responders. (2025) source
- Co-sponsors A1658, which would require life without parole for first and second degree murder and aggravated murder. (2025) source
- Co-sponsors A3281, which would create a 30 million dollar grant program for police safety equipment. (2025) source
Childcare and pre-KHelp through tax credits, employer incentives, and parent choicemedium
Official action · medium confidence- His Assembly biography lists reducing childcare costs as a priority. (2025) source
- Sponsors A10725, which would create child care savings accounts with state matching funds and tax incentives for families. (2026-03) source
- Sponsors A10726, which would raise the income limit for the state child care assistance program to 100 percent of state median income. (2026-03) source
Election rulesPhoto ID required, with current access otherwisemedium
Official action · medium confidence- Co-sponsors A3302, which would require a government photo identification card to vote and provide identification cards to people eligible for Medicaid. (2025) source
Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Co-sponsors A7741, which would bar students not assigned female at birth from school teams in grades 7 to 12 that are designated for female athletes. (2025) source
AI regulationNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted no on the RAISE Act, a state law setting safety and reporting rules for developers of the most powerful AI models (119 to 22). (2025-06-12) source
ImmigrationNo single answer fitslow
Said · low confidence- His Assembly biography says he is working to address the ongoing migrant crisis and correct mismanagement of the state's response. (2025) source
Minimum wageNo single answer fitslow
Official action · low confidence- Sponsors A9309, which would freeze the state minimum wage automatic yearly increases starting in 2027. (2025) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Paid leave, Student loans, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.