Michael J. Norris was elected on November 8, 2016, to the New York State Assembly and re-elected in 2018, 2020, and 2022. His district includes parts of Erie and Niagara counties.

Mike currently serves as Chairman of the Minority Conference, the Ranking Minority Member of the Transportation and Election Law Committees, and as a member of the Rules, Ways and Means, and Judiciary Committees. Mike also previously served as a member of the Aging, Cities, Health, Higher Education, and Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committees.

As a Member of the Assembly, Mike has focused on a variety of initiatives important to his constituents. He has stood up for the values and priorities of Western New York by:

• Fighting for stronger ethics laws, including pension forfeiture;
• Supporting a more open and transparent state government by sponsoring the State Contract Sunlight Act;
• Delivering the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), which has committed $300 million to benefit the communities within the flood-prone regions along the southern shore of Lake Ontario;
• Sponsoring the Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force to support a longstanding commitment to the recruitment of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel that drove $6.5 million in state funding for training stipends and $25 million in infrastructure and equipment funding and supporting key legislation that now allows property tax exemptions and cancer coverage for our volunteers and reimbursement from insurance companies for ambulance services provided by these volunteer departments; 
• Advocating for the prevention of childhood drowning by increasing access to swimming lessons, recruiting and retaining lifeguards, and investing $150 million in infrastructure upgrades to our pools; and
• Focusing on strategic investment in Western New York infrastructure and tourism assets, including expanding the Discover Niagara Shuttle to include the City of Lockport, delivering state oversight of attractions such as the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride to assist patrons and businesses alike, and advocating for historic state funding increases to programs that maintain our local roads, bridges, sewers, culverts, and libraries.

As Co-Chair of the “Learning for Work” Minority Conference Task Force, Mike advocated for a greater emphasis on vocational job training opportunities and enhancing skill career paths to improve New York state’s economy and support students.

Mike received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Niagara University and Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2006.

Since his admission to the Bar, Mike engaged in general practice and is a partner in the law firm of Seaman Norris, LLP. He served as the attorney for the town of Lockport, town of Somerset, and village of Cassadaga; the third corporation counsel for the city of Lockport; and the Prosecutor for the towns of Lockport and Hartland. Mike is a member of the Lockport, Niagara County, Erie County, and New York State Bar Associations.

Previously, Mike worked for the New York State Senate and Assembly, served as a Niagara County election commissioner, and interned in the city of Lockport Mayor’s Office.

An active community leader, Mike is a member and past president of the Lockport Rotary Club and member of All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Lockport. He is also a past member of the Tony Nemi’s Youth Sportsman’s League and LCTV Board of Directors. Mike was one of 12 members selected in the Greater Niagara Newspapers’ Inaugural Under 40 Class in 2015 and received the Paul Harris Award from Lockport Rotary in 2013.

Mike is a lifelong Lockport resident and graduate of Lockport High School.