BAY SHORE – The 2026 midterms are afoot and one South Shore mom is looking to win a seat in the New York State Senate.
Brianne Wakefield (R-Bay Shore) officially kicked off her campaign for the New York State Senate’s Fourth District this past week. Celebrating with supporters at Wind Watch Golf & Country Club, Wakefield began the months-long campaign on a strong note ahead of the June 23, 2026, primary election. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Wakefield is focusing on making the state safer and more affordable, something many residents can support. Through shared personal experiences, she discussed major issues including bail reform, human trafficking, the mental health crisis, and the ongoing drug epidemic, emphasizing what these challenges mean for New Yorkers today and for future generations.
She also stated that the seat is critical, as it is the only Democratic Senate seat in Suffolk County and one of just two that are regularly considered competitive. While acknowledging the challenge ahead, Wakefield said she believes it is a race that can be won and could help Republicans regain the majority in Albany. The Fourth Senate District Baywood, Brentwood, Central Islip, Hauppauge, North Bay Shore, and parts of Bay Shore, Brightwaters, East Islip, Islandia, Islip hamlet, Ronkonkoma, and West Islip. It also contains most of the Town of Babylon.
Wakefield also emphasized that, regardless of party affiliation, many New Yorkers are facing the same struggles. As a mother of six, she said she can personally relate to the affordability and safety concerns families across the state are experiencing and she understands the urgency of addressing those issues.
One issue Wakefield said has been especially eye-opening to her is human trafficking. As chair of the Human and Sex Trafficking Subcommittee of the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Board, she said she has conducted extensive research and held numerous discussions with the Human Trafficking Investigation Unit, the Anti-Trafficking Initiative, the Department of Social Services, and local law enforcement to better understand the scope of the issue and the impact it has on communities.
Wakefield said her hometown of Bay Shore has become a hotspot for human trafficking. She shared a personal story about her husband, a pastor at a local church, who had invited a homeless woman into the church. After getting to know her and hearing about her struggles, the woman expressed concerns about women being trafficked around the train station area. They attempted to connect her with resources and support to help her get back on her feet and away from those dangerous situations. However, the following day, she said she received a phone call from detectives informing her that the woman had been assaulted and was in the ICU, where she ultimately lost vision in part of one eye.
Wakefield said experiences like these have only strengthened her determination to continue fighting against human trafficking and work toward reducing these situations in local communities. She recently held a human trafficking awareness event at the same train station, aiming to raise awareness and ensure the voices and stories of these women are heard.
Wakefield told The Messenger that, over the next few months, she wants to meet as many residents as possible and connect with people on a personal level. She said she plans to participate in numerous local community events throughout the campaign. It is clear she hopes to show voters that she is committed to advocating for the issues many families face and to making a difference.
