New York State Assembly District 68 in State Assembly District 68, New York

2026 Primary Election

• Eddie Gibbs — Incumbent Member of the New York State Assembly, District 68 in New York, New York

  Edward L. Gibbs is the current Assemblymember for New York's 68th district, a position he has held since winning a special election in 2022. He is noted for being the first formerly incarcerated individual to serve in the New York State Legislature. Raised in public housing in East Harlem, Gibbs pleaded guilty to manslaughter in an act he described as self-defense and served time in prison. While incarcerated, he earned his GED and an associate degree in business administration from Cayuga Community College. Prior to his election, Gibbs worked as a community organizer for over two decades, leading various community support initiatives. He has been a Democratic district leader since 2017.

• Tamika Mapp — District Leader, U.S. Army Veteran, and former State Committeewoman in East Harlem, New York

  Tamika Mapp is a proud U.S. Army veteran, small business owner, and dedicated community advocate who has spent years fighting for the people of East Harlem. As the founder and CEO of Kindroot Doula Collective, she provides compassionate, trauma-informed support to families through birth, loss, and postpartum care—while also building a business rooted in healing and community. Tamika currently serves as District Leader and previously served as a State Committee Member, where she has been a consistent voice for working families, small businesses, and public housing residents. She holds an Associate’s degree in Medical Billing and Coding from Anthem College and a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from Kaplan University. Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional work. Tamika has mentored small business owners and served on the boards of several community organizations, always focused on creating opportunities and strengthening her community. She has run for New York State Assembly in 2020, 2022, and 2024, and for New York City Council—demonstrating her continued dedication to public service and her belief that East Harlem deserves strong, accountable leadership.

• Tameeka Garcia-Taylor — U.S. Army and National Guard Veteran in Harlem, New York

  Tameeka "Tami" Garcia-Taylor is a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran and a candidate for the Howard University EMBA class of 2026. She has worked for nearly two decades in the public and private sectors, leading projects in finance, technology, and government. Garcia-Taylor serves as the Judge Advocate at the American Legion Post 398 and has been involved in mentoring youth, supporting veterans, and creating opportunities for small businesses. She founded a community movement called People for Progress.

• Diana Ayala — Former New York City Council Member in New York, New York

  Diana Ayala is a former member of the New York City Council, where she represented District 8 from 2018 to 2026. Before being elected, she worked for over two decades in community service, including as a senior-center director and as Deputy Chief of Staff for the previous City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito. Ayala earned a degree in human services from Bronx Borough Community College and studied sociology at CUNY-Herbert H. Lehman College. She was born in Puerto Rico and has lived in New York City for many years.

• William Smith — District Leader in Information not publicly available., Information not publicly available.

  William Smith is a Democratic District Leader who has previously run for the New York State Assembly in District 68. He challenged Eddie Gibbs in the 2024 Democratic primary. He has also served as a delegate to the New York County Judicial Conventions.