# Lester Chang
Lester Chang is an American politician and a Republican member of the [New York State Assembly](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-state-assembly) from the 49th district, which represents parts of Kings County.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) He was elected to the Assembly on November 8, 2022, defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Peter Abbate. After winning re-election in 2024, he was inaugurated for a second term in 2025.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) • [2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) He is a retired member of the [United States Navy Reserve](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-states-navy-reserve) and a current member of the New York Naval Militia.[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Party | Republican[3](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang) |
| Current office | Member, New York State Assembly, District 49[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) |
| Previous offices | United States Navy Reserve (retired member)[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) |
| Education | B.S. in accounting, Brooklyn College; M.S. in international transportation, SUNY Maritime College[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) |
## Party affiliation
Chang is a Republican. His Assembly page lists him as Republican and Conservative (R,C-Brooklyn).[3](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang)
## Early life and education
Chang was born in America to Chinese immigrant parents and grew up on Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) When he was eight years old, the family moved to Hong Kong, and the family ultimately settled in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn.[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) He attended New York public schools through his master's degree.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) He graduated from Midwood High School, then earned a [Bachelor of Science](https://www.edgepedia.org/bachelor-of-science) in accounting from [Brooklyn College](https://www.edgepedia.org/brooklyn-college) and a [Master of Science](https://www.edgepedia.org/master-of-science) in international transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College.[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/)
## Career
After graduating high school, Chang began studying at Brooklyn College to pursue a career in banking and finance, and later started a career in logistics after earning his master's degree from SUNY Maritime College.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) He has 20 years of management experience in global trade and logistics.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/)
Chang served in the Navy Reserve and the New York Naval Militia.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) He is a war veteran who served a tour in Afghanistan; in the aftermath of 9/11, he was assigned to Washington, DC and was deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan as a military analyst.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) • [2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) In March 2020, he volunteered to return to active duty in support of COVID Operation, helping convert the Jacob Javits Convention Center into a field hospital that treated more than 1,000 COVID patients.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) He has also worked with the Board of Elections as a Poll Site Coordinator for more than 30 years.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/)
Chang was elected to the New York State Assembly from the 49th district on November 8, 2022.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) He was inaugurated for a second term in the auditorium of New Utrecht High School, in a ceremony at which Justice Randall Eng administered the oath of office.[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/)
## Electoral history
In November 2022, Chang was elected to the New York State Assembly from the 49th district, defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Peter Abbate.[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) • [2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) He was re-elected and inaugurated for a second term.[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) His campaign website states that he is running for re-election to the New York State Assembly in District 49.[4](https://lesterchang.com/)
## Issues specific to Chang
Chang has made homeless shelter siting a signature issue. His Assembly page reports that he called for a full investigation after reports of fraudulent activity concerning the 86th St. homeless shelter development in Bensonhurst, where Noel Muir, described in the report as a convicted con artist, was assigned to inspect the building.[3](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang) He has also rallied with Sen. [Steve Chan](https://www.edgepedia.org/steve-chan-american-politician) at 10th Avenue and 50th Street against the proposed integration of homeless transient tenants and residents of Borough Park apartments, and has opposed the placement of an 80-room homeless shelter in Boro Park, saying it lacked community input.[3](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang)
After an attack on four young girls in Bensonhurst, in which a mentally ill man, the children's uncle, used a meat cleaver to inflict severe injuries, Chang called for immediate action.[3](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang)
At his inauguration, Chang told the Brooklyn Eagle, "It's not about me; it's about my community." He said of his slogan, "My slogan is 'Chang for Change,' and I am continuing to make the changes that [Peter] Abbate has not made, responding to all the community's needs and improving their overall quality of life."[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) He also said of working with Sen. Steve Chan, "We are tied together at the hip."[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/) He told the Brooklyn Eagle, "Any issues that anyone has, I will do my best to serve their needs," and, "My door will always be open."[2](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/)
## Positions and legislative record
### Homeless shelters
On his campaign website, Chang writes, "Our communities deserve transparency, local input, and public safety. I will continue fighting to ensure residents are heard before major decisions are made that affect the character and safety of our neighborhoods."[4](https://lesterchang.com/) His site states he is working on legislation to change how homeless shelters are placed in residential communities, a proposal that would establish distance requirements and give neighborhoods stronger protections when new shelters are proposed.[4](https://lesterchang.com/) His bio page says he supports "compassion for the homeless" and "meaningful, substantive support services for the homeless."[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/)
### Public safety
Chang introduced Barreto's Law to establish the crime of vehicular manslaughter in the third degree, ensuring that individuals who recklessly operate a motor vehicle, drive without a license, or drive without insurance and cause the death of another person are held accountable under New York State law.[4](https://lesterchang.com/) His bio page says he will "fight to reduce rampant crime, fix broken bail and parole laws, support law enforcement."[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/) His Assembly page reports that he said crime and education had not been addressed in the one-house budget, stating, "I was greatly disappointed by the inadequate attention given to bail reform and education choice in the state budget."[5](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=049&sh=newsroom)
### Education
Chang's campaign site says he is committed to preserving the merit-based admissions process for specialized high schools, is a strong advocate for school choice, and believes in lifting the cap on charter schools in New York City.[4](https://lesterchang.com/) His bio page says he will "support more charter schools" and "stop mandated curriculum for private schools."[1](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/)
### Lunar New Year
Chang's Assembly page reports that he introduced a bill to make [Lunar New Year](https://www.edgepedia.org/lunar-new-year) an official public holiday in New York state, a bill that would empower the state to provide dates on a rolling basis for the holiday on public calendars.[5](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=049&sh=newsroom) He also expressed satisfaction with the recognition of the Lunar New Year and Diwali in New York, while noting concern that the scope of the recognition is limited.[5](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=049&sh=newsroom)
### Housing and consumer protection
Chang's campaign site says he has legislation calling to study the benefits, risks, and potential use of longer-term mortgages in New York, asking whether 40- and 50-year mortgages can help lower monthly housing costs and make homeownership more attainable.[4](https://lesterchang.com/) The site also says he is working on legislation to protect patients from unexpected hospital and facility fees by requiring clearer disclosure before a bill is received, and on legislation to give consumers stronger protections over their personal information and data.[4](https://lesterchang.com/)
## References
1. [Lester Chang - Assembly District 49 - Biography](https://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang/bio/)
2. [Re-elected Assemblymember Lester Chang vows to 'continue to fight' - Brooklyn Eagle](https://brooklyneagle.com/299603/re-elected-assemblymember-lester-chang-vows/)
3. [Lester Chang - Assembly District 49 | New York State Assembly](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Lester-Chang)
4. [Lester Chang for NY](https://lesterchang.com/)
5. [Lester Chang - Assembly District 49 - Newsroom](https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=049&sh=newsroom)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Northeastern state legislators › Surnames C to E*
*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 29, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license