Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Alex Bores for NY Assembly District 73
Candidate Name: Alex Bores
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 73
Website: https://www.alexbores.nyc (being updated)
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
When I talk to my neighbors, they tell me that Albany is corrupt, dysfunctional and ineffective. I have spent my whole career finding innovative solutions to government’s problems. From working with the Justice Department to fight the opioid epidemic to working with 4 states this past year to keep the water running and heat on for 50,000 families, I have a proven record of solving government’s problems. I know how to make government work for the people and deliver results for hardworking families.
I am a lifelong East Sider who is the only candidate who graduated from our neighborhood’s K-12 public schools, though the best education I received was on the picket line with my Dad. He and his union were locked out because they were fighting for better health insurance. Three years later, when my mom was diagnosed with MS, it was only the insurance won by her union that allowed my family to stay in the middle class.
Today, I’m an engineer with a proven record of making government work for families by helping deliver real relief with speed and efficiency. As New York works to recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic, my experience working with government programs makes me the best candidate to get families and small businesses back on their feet.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? I supported Cynthia Nixon for governor of New York, Barry Weinberg for District Leader, Adrián Rivera-Reyes for Philadelphia City Council, Ben Chou for Harris County Commissioner, and Tracy Mitrano for U.S. Congress.
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? N/A
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? I was active as a volunteer for Haven, an LGBTQ+ organization at Cornell University.
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? Out In Tech – a group uniting and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community working in tech.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? I am a proud ally.
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years? I proudly have participated in Pride events in Ithaca and New York City since 2010.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? I have previously employed many openly LGBTQ individuals, and every member of my current campaign team identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
9. If you receive the Jim Owles endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Proudly!
10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?
I have walked many picket lines and supported many union drives. I marched with Black Lives Matter and in the Women’s March.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. I’ve never been arrested.
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? N/A
13. For the following pieces of legislation, please answer if you are currently a sponsor or co-sponsor (if you are an incumbent), or if you will co-sponsor (if you are not an incumbent):
A. Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure access to the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State. This bill insures that decisions on parole are not solely based on the nature of the original crimes but includes incarcerated peoples’ record of rehabilitation and assessment of current risk to public safety.
B. Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow elderly incarcerated people who have served at least 15 years in prison an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for a chance at release.
I would proudly co-sponsor and fight for the passage of both bills.
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? N/A
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written? Yes, I oppose efforts to weaken the current bail reform laws.
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last? Yes, I commit to visiting incarcerated constituents.
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails? Yes, I strongly support legislation outlawing solitary confinement.
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility? N/A
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes. Effective criminal justice works toward rehabilitation. Both remorse and adherence to rehabilitative programming should be considered in parole determination.
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? We need more outside pressure on the Governor. We also need more resources for those petitioning for clemency.
21. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Would you be willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way? I would proudly make such a call publicly and will never hesitate to be critical of an executive branch that stands in the way of criminal justice reform. I’ve been a consistent voice on these issues in public.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? I have not participated in any such demonstrations, but look forward to doing so in the future. My current company (Promise) was explicitly founded to decarcerate and in my day job I have helped individuals end their parole.
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes. My office will proactively encourage formerly incarcerated individuals to apply.
24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment? Yes! I support such legislation.
25. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work? Yes, I believe decriminalization is the best option.
26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach. Sex workers face grave harm under the current system of criminalization. The Nordic model is widely opposed by sex workers who recognize that it will continue to leave workers stigmatized and vulnerable. Legalization in many European countries has continued to leave a large market in the shadows where the most vulnerable sex workers are least protected.
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals? Yes.
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”? Every immigrant should be welcome and safe in our state. I would support legislation like Sen. Julia Salazar’s New York for All bill, which would prevent the dissemination of immigration information to ICE from our state and local law enforcement.
29. Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor? Yes, I would co-sponsor this bill.
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes. We have an epidemic of addiction in the country and state. Safe consumption sites save lives through both preventing overdoses and connection at-risk individuals to medical services.
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. I have never supported an IDC candidate.
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? Absolutely! We’re off to a great start as my campaign team is entirely composed of diverse LGBTQ+ members.
32. Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018? Maya Wiley for mayor, Bernie Sanders for president in 2016, Elizabeth Warren for president in 2020, and Cynthia Nixon for governor and Zephyr Teachout for attorney general in 2018.
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? I have not made an endorsement for governor.
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators? I support term limits for all members of executive branches of government (including statewide office holders). I am more skeptical of term limits for legislators, which I fear tends to weaken what is supposed to be a co-equal branch. But I do support finding ways to reduce the power of incumbency, such as more voting rights legislation and more equitable campaign finance laws that will make our elected officials more beholden to the people.
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. The effects of these evils permeate our laws and culture to this day. All legislation needs to be read through a justice lens and crafted with the input of communities who have been marginalized. I would support voting rights legislation (e.g. S1046A), decarceration legislation (mentioned above), housing legislation (S3082), and many other bills in this fight.
36. What legislation or other policy changes do you support in order to make college and graduate school affordable for poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing?
I support making CUNY and SUNY free for residents and passing the New Deal for CUNY (S4461A). I would also like to see more loans retired or made progressive by converting into Income Share Agreements (open to all, not limited by major, etc.) so that people owe less if they make less. While this probably requires federal action, I would be interested in figuring out a pilot state program.
37. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate. Yes, I support single-payer universal health care and will cosponsor the New York Health Act, which has been languishing unnecessarily for decades. Health care is a human right.
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I support reproductive rights for all people without reservation including universal access to contraceptive and abortion services.
39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? Yes.
40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes.
41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)? Proudly. The prohibition of eviction without good cause is a priority and dovetails with my work keeping water and heat on for families during the pandemic.
42. Will you push for the passage of Home Stability Support (HSS) to bridge the difference between the public assistance shelter allowance and fair market rents for NY's 95,000 homeless? Will you co-sponsor S.856 / A.6032, which amends the Social Services Law to create a statewide rent supplement for families and individuals who are eligible for public assistance benefits and who face eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence or hazardous living conditions? Yes and yes.
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? I would end it.
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes.
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? I absolutely support an increase in state funding for NYCHA. NYCHA has a deferred investment balance larger than even the state can fill, but we should fight to substantially increase the funding.
46. Do you, or will you, co-sponsor the Climate and Community Investment Act? (S.4264A / A.6967) If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? Yes.
47. Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / A. 8290)? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? Yes.
48. Do you support the New Deal for CUNY (S.4461 / A.5843)? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? Yes.
49. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? I would support such a bill and authorize my name for this purpose.
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it? The community should decide the future of the statue.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? The state budget does not fund local police departments specifically, though I am happy to review funding for the State Troopers. I believe taxpayer money that is effectively allocated to social services, mental health services, economic development, and other priorities can also reduce crime.
52. Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools; b) Mental health response calls; c) Homeless outreach and social services; or d) Traffic enforcement. Police are asked to do too many jobs, including those of social workers and mental health providers. I support increasing funding for those services that can handle the vast majority of these calls.
53. Should law enforcement "Vice Squads" be eliminated? While this is an issue decided on a city level, my personal opinion is that the officers allocated to Vice Squads would be better placed elsewhere.
54. How would you recommend law enforcement officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules? While it is not my role to assign penalties, New Yorkers should never encounter an officer flouting public safety restrictions.
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? The Civilian Complaint Review Board is in need of reform and I’m open to many approaches to ensure there is true accountability for misconduct.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? To start, I would work to reform the State Liquor Authority, which often issues harsh fines that disproportionately impact owners and communities of color. The Authority’s work should be focused on bringing businesses into compliance.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? Yes.
58. Do you commit to speak personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support? Yes.
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
A primary legislative focus will be making New York a leader in fighting climate change and protecting our environment. This includes implementing sustainability in infrastructure, expanding the city standard for all electric buildings to the entire state and executing climate resiliency plans.
I will fight for tenants’ rights and protections, from supporting good cause eviction to increasing affordable housing throughout the state.
As a public school graduate, I know first-hand how strong public education prepares our kids for a changing world. I will work to ensure our schools are fully resourced and prepared to meet the needs of the 21st century.
60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account?
I have raised over $50,000 without yet publicly launching.
61. What additional information would you like members The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision concerning your candidacy?
I would be honored to have your endorsement and look forward to building with you.