Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jamaal T. Bailey for NY Senate District 36
Candidate Name: Jamaal T. Bailey
Office Seeking Election for: NYS Senate District, 36th District
Campaign Address: 1428 East Gun Hill Road
Campaign Website:
Campaign Telephone: 347-680-0939
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): jamaaltbailey on twitter and Facebook
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
1 Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I have lived in this district my entire life. I believe I have the passion, understanding and the work ethic to deliver for my neighbors. Also, the relationships I have here run deep and have made me who I am today as a man, before I am an elected official.
2 Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office? Yes.
3 If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Conversion Therapy Ban, Surrogacy, Walking While Trans, Vacatur, GENDA,
4 What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
CUNY Law OUTLaws
5 If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
Stonewall democrats
6 Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
I do not.
7 Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have yet to do so.
8 Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, I currently do.
9 If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes, I will.
10 What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
I'm the chair of the Codes committee, so my committee focus is the criminal justice system, and they are too many to enumerate. I have been to a number of LGBT legislative rallies, planned parenthood rallies.
11 Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
I have not.
12 Will you advocate and sponsor legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
I am still in the process of reviewing the Elder Parole bill.
13 Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
I have and will continue to do so.
14 Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes.
15 Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
Yes.
16 Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
If the opportunity presents itself, I will ensure that formerly justice involved individuals get an opportunity in my office. I have had justice involved youth intern in my office.
17 Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
I am not fully there at this point. I believe in the vacatur of records for sex workers, and I moved the bill S4981 through committee last year. I believe everyone has a right to freedom, but I'm just not at the point where I can be considered to be a believer.
18 Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
I'm not well versed enough on the models.
19 What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Continue to advocate for funding for the dream act, and especially in COVID-19 times, try to figure something out in NYS like California has, where undocumented individuals are given relief packages as well. My district is full of afro-caribbean immigrants, so ensuring fairness for immigrants is critical to me.
20 Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
There is a slippery slope there- so I will say it depends on the level of funding. That's a rather tough blanket statement to make- but I will say that public funding should go to traditional public schools, first, second, and third- and then we can look at other educational institutions.
21 Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
If they are properly sited- then yes.
22 Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
As a member of the senate democratic conference, I went with the stance of the leader, which was to support all incumbent members, even if they were IDC members. My activity on a personal level was quite limited- at best. However, I have known Senator Myrie long before he ran for office, and we were good friends then, and remain so now.
23 Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
I already have.
24 Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
As long as individuals are comfortable self-identifying, I will ensure my office remains diverse.
25 Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018
I was not elected until 2016, but I was a Hillary supporter- and in 2018 I endorsed AG James and supported Governor Cuomo
26 Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
Reparations are necessary. Continued tweaks to our justice system- specifically policing related issues are necessary. A recognition of abolition publicly would be necessary. Also understanding that diverse education is critical in curriculum in public schools.
27 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?
There are many ways- but relaxing student loan debt, freezing tuition and looking togo back when we had free CUNY education.
28 Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes. I have been a sponsor of the NY Health Act- and its even more apparent now that we need a system that makes sense for all.
29 Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I'm pro choice and believe in the right to choose for all-
30 Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
My votes and legislative decisions have never been predicated upon who gives me money- so that is consistent on my part, by "pledging not to make pledges" about contributions.
31 Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Again, I want to be clear about my disdain for Trump and all of what he stands for. If its someone as clear as Jared Kushner, yes, absolutely.
32 Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by anti-union and Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
Im not certain what specific casinos, but anti-union working environments are toxic.
33 Do you support the surrogacy bill introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman allowing women to decide control of her body in regard to surrogacy?
Yes, I voted for it last year.
34 Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
I am on the bill.
35 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?
I am on the bill, and yes.
36 What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
Look at the body of work I've been able to do with my colleagues and understand that I want people to understand that I'm a leglslator who is always willing to listen and discuss, even if we don't agree.