The Bronx Voter Guide: NY State Senate
Politicians are swarming to The Bronx as a potential stepping stone to greater political aspirations, influence, and clout. We do not want our beloved borough to be a pawn used in political gain. We want to see representatives, leaders, and politicians who will work for the best for The Bronx and its communities.
We have compiled a Voter Guide to the NY State Senate Primary Election. The Voter Guide is not an endorsement of any candidate, but an encouragement to do your research, find a candidate who aligns with your positions, and vote in the Primary Election on Tuesday, June 23.
New York State Assembly: Quick Facts
The NYS Senate is the Upper House of the NYS Legislature. The Lower House is the NYS Assembly. The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate. Districts are determined by population and district boundaries will be redrawn after the 2020 census.
State senators represent an average of 312,550 residents, as of the 2010 Census. After the 2020 census, districts will be redrawn. Many districts in NYC are considered HTC, Hard-to-Count, districts due to the increase of undocumented persons, education level, and home renters versus home owners, among other factors.
Senatorial District 29
JOSE SERRANO
Assumed Office: 2013
SPONSORED LEGISLATION – MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PASSED
• Establish the lease and landlord fraud public awareness program
• Ban formaldehyde in certain children’s products
• Repealing rent increases after vacancy and setting rent increases for housing units
There is no primary for SD-29. Serrano is the Democratic Party nominee for the General Election.
Senatorial District 33
J. GUSTAVO RIVERA
Assumed Office: 2011
• Police reformed legislation for increased transparency and accountability
• Enact the “emergency rent relief act of 2020” to establish an interim residential rent relief program
• Reform the immigration system with stronger protections for DACA recipients
There is no primary for SD-33. Rivera is the Democratic Party nominee for the General Election.
Senatorial District 33
LUIS SEPULVEDA
Assumed Office: January 2018
CAMPAIGN POSITION ON KEY ISSUES:
• Immigration: increased funding for undocumented students
• Housing: co-sponsored the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 for increased tenant protections
• Justice: legislation supporting rehabilitation; end solitary confinement; create a civilian oversight board; expand access to college in prison; end cash-bail system
PAMELA STEWART-MARTINEZ
CAMPAIGN POSITION ON KEY ISSUES
• Housing: affordable home ownership opportunities and more affordable rental units for existing residents; invest in NYCHA repairs
• Hazard Pay: fund state level hazard pay to Essential Workers
• Education: invest in schools, access to social and emotional supports
JOSE PEREZ
We were unable to verify the candidate’s position on key issues, proposed legislation, and policy positions on the candidate’s online presence.
Senatorial District 34
ALESSANDRA BIAGGI
Assumed Office: January 2019
CAMPAIGN POSITION ON KEY ISSUES:
• Immigration: increased funding for undocumented students
• Housing: prohibit preferential rent increases; close the vacancy decontrol and eviction bonus loopholes; pass the Home Stability Support Initiative,
• Justice: end cash-bail system; legalize marijuana; prohibit civil asset forfeiture; pass Kalief’s Law to ensure that all defendants have access to speedy trials; close Rikers Island
• Education: end the school-to-prison pipeline; increase funding for CUNY and SUNY schools; quality STEM education; financial literacy education for children
JAMES GISONDI
Candidate does not have a campaign website.
Senatorial District 36
JAMAAL BAILEY
Assumed Office: January 2017
SPONSORED LEGISLATION – MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PASSED
• Access to the Discovery Program for all prospective high school students
• Sealing records for certain convictions, especially low-level marijuana charges
• Disclosure of law enforcement disciplinary records and repeal section 50-a of the civil rights law
• Significant criminal justice reform initiatives involving officer reporting schools; quality STEM education; financial literacy education for children
There is no primary for SD-36. Bailey is the Democratic Party nominee for the General Election.
Why does the primary matter?
Typically, especially in predominately Democratic Districts, the primary election winner is the party nominee for the General Election in November.
What if my candidate doesn’t win the primary?
It’s OK. Representatives serve two year terms. They are elected officials, dependent on the votes of their constituents. If we, the community, do not see tangible change, they can be replaced and a proper candidate can assume their position. Two years is not that long.
Remember…
As elected officials, Representatives have to serve YOU. They work for their district, for The Bronx. Pay attention to who is running, what they do and do not do in office, and what they promised their district.
We can, and will, hold them accountable.
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We will be releasing additional voter guides shortly and following all candidates to the November General Election.
