Vote: Who’s got the best beard in Albany?

Gone are the days when most male state legislators had facial hair, but a few dozen hirsute holdouts still roam the floors of the state Capitol.

Some define their visage with a little stubble. Others indulge their pogonophilia more luxuriously. City & State is calling on its beloved readers to do as the Brits do with members of Parliament each year. Read the nominations, weigh the options, and decide who among this bewhiskered bunch has the mane to rule them all.

State Sen. Fred Akshar

Salt and pepper spice up the ever changing facial hair of this Broome County Republican. Full bearded one year and baby-faced the next, with a close cut in between. 

Assemblyman Michael Blake

Clean shaves are for the top of this Bronx lawmaker’s head. Who needs hair when you’ve got a goatee game like this?

Assemblyman Harry Bronson 

His pointed goatee helps the Rochester Democrat stick out among the competition. Nuff said.

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein

This list ain’t big enough for two bearded Brooklyn Democrats with the same first name. Since Eichenstein has a more defined color and adds a millennial twist to an Orthodox look, we’re placing him on the ballot. Better luck next time, Sen. Felder!

Assemblyman Richard Gottfried

The longest-tenured legislative facial hair in state history began growing out in the summer of ’73 while the Manhattan Democrat was studying for his bar exam. Now, he’s an inspiration to every blond 20-something who dreams of spending the next half-century in Albany.

State Sen. José M. Serrano 

He wears bowties and combs his hair high and back. A carefully crafted goatee completes a polished look for legislating in the leather-lined Senate chamber.

State Sen. Kevin Thomas 

Full-bodied with a hint of gray, it’s easy with a beard like this for the freshman Long Island Democrat to pass as a more senior lawmaker.

VOTE HERE