# New York Best in Government Affairs Awards 2026 | USLege > The 2026 Best in Government Affairs Awards for New York honor standouts in lobbying, public affairs, and policy, presented with Capitol Confidential Pro. Canonical: https://www.uslege.ai/best-in-government-affairs/new-york --- USLege · Best in Government Affairs Awards 2026 Annual Awards · Albany, NY # New York Best in Government _Affairs_ The people shaping New York state policy, recognized by their peers. Presented with [![Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege](/assets/awards/capcon-pro-logo-inverted.png)](https://www.capitolconfidential.com) [Explore other states](#states) **Closed**Nominations · June 26, 2026 **7**Categories **100%**Peer-nominated [![Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege](/assets/capcon-pro-lockup-dark.png)](https://www.capitolconfidential.com) Capitol Confidential Pro · Hearst Times Union × USLege Connected and cross-referenced New York policy intelligence. Presented through an exclusive partnership between Hearst's Times Union and USLege, pairing expert Albany Capitol reporting with real-time USLege legislative intelligence. Albany reporting by Dan Clark, Government & Politics Reporter at Capitol Confidential. Seven Categories ## One goal: recognize the _people_ who make New York work. From veterans whose names are synonymous with Albany excellence to early-career operators already three steps ahead, these categories reflect the full spectrum of government affairs talent in New York. [01 · Association ### Association Advocates of the Year Recognizes someone who leads government affairs for a trade, professional, or statewide business association and does it with clarity, credibility, and results. ](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/association-advocates)[02 · Veterans ### Longtime Legends in Government Affairs Honors the professionals whose decades of work have shaped New York government affairs. Trusted veterans, mentors, and dealmakers whose reputations are built on results, relationships, and respect. ](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/longtime-legends)[03 · Intelligence ### Policy Intelligence Leaders of the Year Honors someone who redefines what it means to stay ahead. Recognizes the professional using every tool to surface what matters faster and make decisions with unmatched clarity. ](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/top-policy-experts)[04 · Lobbyists ### Powerhouse Lobbyists of the Year Recognizes a contract lobbyist whose work in New York government relations stands above the rest. Trusted by clients, legislators, and colleagues alike. ](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/powerhouse-lobbyists)[05 · Emerging ### Rising Stars of the Year Honors an early-career professional whose presence, performance, and potential are impossible to ignore. Already operating like a seasoned pro. ](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/rising-stars)[06 · Voice ### Strategic Communicators of the Year Recognizes someone whose message discipline, timing, and voice influence not just public opinion, but legislative outcomes in New York. ](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/public-affairs-communicators)[07 · Behind the Scenes ### Top Staffers of the Year Recognizes a legislative staffer whose expertise, judgment, and hustle power a legislator's agenda from behind the scenes in Albany. These are the staffers who turn draft ideas into law and make the entire operation smarter, faster, and sharper. The member gets the credit but everyone in the building knows who made it happen. ](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/top-staffers) The Process ## Four steps. _Three minutes._ One nomination. Peer-nominated, advisory-board reviewed. The strongest nominations include specific examples of impact, wins, relationships, and leadership. Step 01 ### Choose your nominee Anyone doing government affairs work in New York qualifies: lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, communicators, and rising stars. Step 02 ### Pick the right category One nomination per submission. Teams can submit as many as they like across categories. Step 03 ### Make your case The more specific the examples of impact, wins, and leadership, the stronger the nomination. Step 04 ### Advisory board review Winners are selected based on the strength and volume of nominations. Your words matter. The Honor ## What every winner _receives_. A feature profile on the 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York webpage A custom award badge and digital toolkit to share the win Exclusive promotion to a network of 12,000+ policy professionals and media partners Public recognition campaign across editorial and social channels Recognition at a celebration event in New York later this year Nominations closed · June 26, 2026 ## Under _review_. Nominations are now closed and being reviewed by the judges. Stay tuned for information on winners and an award ceremony, expected later this year after the New York legislative session closes. Advisory Board ## Your nomination, reviewed by _four who know Albany_. The 2026 Best in Government Affairs New York advisory board brings together a veteran lobbyist, a leading public affairs strategist, a former State Senator, and one of Albany's most respected reporters. ![Kenneth Zebrowski](/assets/awards/board-zebrowski.png) ### [Kenneth Zebrowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-zebrowski-a101155/) Senior Advisor [Brown & Weinraub](https://www.brownweinraub.com/) ![Lisa Hofflich](/assets/awards/board-hofflich.png) ### [Lisa Hofflich](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahofflich/) Partner [Bolton-St. Johns](https://boltonstjohns.com/) ![David Carlucci](/assets/awards/board-carlucci.png) ### [David Carlucci](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlucci/) Former NY State Senator [Carlucci Consulting](https://carlucciconsulting.com/) ![Brendan Lyons](/assets/awards/board-lyons.png) ### [Brendan Lyons](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-lyons-79739210/) Investigations Editor [Times Union](https://www.timesunion.com/) The platform behind the awards ## Track the New York Legislature while you _wait on winners_. USLege covers the New York Legislature and New York City Council with live video, transcripts, and cited AI answers, the same coverage Capitol Confidential Pro is built on. Get the weekly Political Spotlight recap for New York, free. [Explore USLege New York](/states/new-york) [Read the Political Spotlight](/newsletters) Following Our Texas Program ## A proven format, _coming to Albany_. In April 2026, we recognized the best of government affairs in Texas at a sold-out celebration in Austin. The New York program brings the same peer-driven approach to Albany, with categories tailored to the rhythms of the New York State Legislature. ![Rows of engraved crystal Best in Government Affairs awards at the 2025 Texas ceremony](/assets/awards/award-night-2025.jpg) Award crystal from the Texas 2025 ceremony, the same honor New York winners will receive. Frequently Asked ## Questions, _answered_. ### Can I nominate myself? Yes, you can. That said, peer nominations carry more weight during advisory board review. If you've done strong work, chances are someone who's worked with you will nominate you. ### Can I nominate more than one person? Absolutely. One nomination per submission, but you're welcome to submit as many as you like across as many categories as make sense. ### What does it cost? Nothing. There's no cost to nominate and no cost to be featured. This is peer recognition, not pay-to-play. ### Who reviews the nominations? An advisory board of four New York leaders: Kenneth Zebrowski Jr. (Brown & Weinraub), Lisa Hofflich (Bolton-St. Johns), David Carlucci (Carlucci Consulting), and Brendan Lyons (Times Union). ### When will winners be announced? Later this year, following the close of the New York legislative session. Winners will be notified as part of a public recognition campaign and celebrated at a New York event. Nominations closed · June 26, 2026 ## Someone you know _deserved this_. Nominations for the 2026 New York awards are closed and under advisory board review. Get notified when winners are announced and when 2027 nominations open. Every State ## Explore other _states_. The USLege Best in Government Affairs Awards are rolling out across all 50 states. Find yours below. [California](/best-in-government-affairs/california)[New York](/best-in-government-affairs/new-york)[Texas](/best-in-government-affairs/texas)AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming