1978Final results
1978 election for New York Senate District 36
New York State Senate · New York
Joseph R. Pisani (R) won with 65.4% of the vote, defeating Michael J. Kunstler (D) by 33.2 points.
Joseph R. PisaniRepublican · winner · incumbent
65.4%55,596
Michael J. KunstlerDemocrat
32.3%27,417
Lonnie G. Barnes Jr.Libertarian
2.3%1,932
84,945 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
Joseph R. Pisani (R)Michael J. Kunstler (D)
Also on the ballot: Lonnie G. Barnes Jr. (Libertarian), 2.3%