Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Luis Sepúlveda for NY Senate District 32
Candidate Name: Luis Sepúlveda
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate, 32nd District (Bronx)
Campaign Address: PO box 729, Bronx NY 10460 - office will be opening soon
Campaign Website: sepulvedaforny.com
Campaign Telephone: (206) 658 - 3179
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
Twitter: @luissepulvedany
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
Zoe Petrak
(206) 658 - 3179
zoe@sepulvedaforny.com
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
Throughout my career in public office, my focus has been bolstering economic opportunity, diversity, and social service reforms, especially as they affect middle and working-class families.
In 2013 I was elected to the state Assembly, representing the 87th district in the Bronx. Over the course of three terms, I advocated for legislation such as the Raise The Age bill, which raised the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18, and fought for economic and social justice in my district.
In 2018 I was honored to be elected to the State Senate representing district 32. As a Senator I have become a recognized leader in Albany and my own district for social justice, particularly immigrant rights, criminal justice reforms, and minority rights. One of my proudest legislative accomplishments in the Senate is the Green Light Bill, now law, for which I was the lead sponsor, which expanded access to driver’s licences to undocumented immigrants in New York State.
As Chair of the Senate Corrections Committee, I have been leading the charge for extensive prison reform that would make our prison system more humane and genuinely rehabilitative. This year I am fighting for parole reform, expanding prison education programs, and ending solitary confinement with my bill, the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, which would restrict solitary confinement in NYS prisons and require alternative, more humane rehabilitation methods that don’t constitute as torture by UN standards.
I have dedicated myself to advocating for progressive policies and I believe that the record that I have established underscores this dedication. My office has also established a well-known reputation in the district for providing wide-ranging, top-notch constituent services to our constituents most in need -- a crucial aspect of our role as public servants. I am proud to represent my Bronx community in the legislature, and I would be honored to continue doing so for another term.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
Yes - Tiffany Caban for Queens DA, 2019.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Co-sponsored & voted for in 2019: GENDA bill (S1047), conversion therapy ban (S1046), LGBTQ suicide prevention taskforce, Modern Family Act, Abolishing the “Gay Panic” Defense, NY Restoration of Honor Act
Currently co-sponsor & pushing for this session: “Walking while Trans law” (S2253), Decriminalizing sex work (S6419), vacating past records relating to trafficking & prostitution (S4981A), preserving parental custody rights (S432), Gender recognition act (S56b)
Lead sponsor of: Gender identity in prison protection bill (S4702)
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
In the community, I have worked closely with LGBTQ community leaders, including Appolonia Cruz and Reverend Carmen Hernandez, both recognized leaders in the South/Central/East Bronx and with a long track record of fighting for justice, recognition, and more resources for the Bronx LGBT community.
I have recognized and awarded proclamations and certificates to dozens of leaders in the community fighitng to LGBTQ rights and against discrimination, domestic violence, etc. We maintain a strong relationship with these leaders and organizations. I have also worked closely with VOCAL NY and Citizen Action over the past year, both organizations that fight for LGBTQ rights in my district and across New York State.
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
In my district this year I have donated to and supported efforts of our community-based LGBTQ organizations and leaders, including the annual Bronx Pride Festival and Health Fair and the NYC LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, which advocate for and provide resources and safe spaces for our local LGBT communities. I have also donated to the Stonewall Democratic Club.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
No, but have many family members, close friends, and colleagues who do identify as LGBTQ.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have been participating in pride events since I was first elected to office in 2013. In 2019, I participated in and supported several local Bronx Pride events, including the 10th annual Bronx Pride Festival and Health Fair and the LGBTQ United As One Rally, led by LGBTQ community leaders in my district and across the Bronx.
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
YES, and Yes
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
YES
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 have regularly participated in countless public calls for all of these causes over the years, and continue to do so, including rallies and press conferences both in Albany and in my district. I have written op eds and public statements, met with advocates, visited organizations, backed progressive candidates, and donated to community-based orgs. I look forward to continuing to do so this session and beyond.
11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No
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?
Yes. I am a co-sponsor on this bill and one of its leading advocates in Albany. As Chair of the Corrections Committee, the elder parole bill is one of my highest priorities for this legislative session.
13.Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes - as chair of corrections committee in the Senate, I am committed to visiting every single correctional facility in the state, and spent my entire summer doing so (13 so far). I spent an entire day at Bedford and Taconic, meeting with the Inmate Liaison Council, Bard program students, facility staff, and others. It is my priority to always listen first to those most impacted, and I will continue to visit incarcerated people across NY state, as well as correspond with the dozens of letters from prison my office receives each month.
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. I am a strong advocate of the Fair & Timely Parole Act, the Elder Parole bill, and general parole reforms that prioritize rehabilitation and taking a holistic, humane view of a person rather than just the original nature of the crime. This is a necessity if we want to have a truly rehabilitative and just correctional and criminal justice system in New York.
15.Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
Yes- I regularly participate in public demands for parole reform, both in Albany and across the state. As Chair of Corrections I submitted a clemency letter at the end of 2019 to the Governor Cuomo, nominating many individuals for clemency across NY state. Both of these issues are top priorities for me.
16.Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
17.Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
Yes and yes.
18.Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
Yes
19.What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
New York should be a safe and welcoming city for all. I am proud to be a leading voice for immigrant rights in New York State, as the lead sponsor of both the Green Light law and the NY DREAM Act. As a Latino legislator representing a district with large immigrant communities, ensuring their equal access to safety, justice, and social resources is one of my central priorities as a public figure. This session, I am a co-sponsor and vocal advocate of the Protect Our Courts Act, and am working closely with organizations on the ground to ensure active participation in the 2020 Census, crucial to delivering adequate resources to our often marginalized communities.
20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
It would depend on the circumstances, and I would be happy to elaborate further in person.
21.Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes
22.Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates Yes - Jeff Klein, Diane Savino, Marisol Alcantara, & Jose Peralta. At the time I told each of these candidates that if they came back to the democratic conference I would support them. I’m happy to expand further upon this in person.
23.Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
YES, already have.
24.Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
Yes, already have.
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
A) Bill de Blasio
B) Bernie Sanders
C) Andrew Cuomo and Letitia James
26.Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
It is my commitment that every legislation I support is one that seeks to combat discrimination and the legacies of systemic oppression in our country. This includes my recognized leadership on criminal justice reform, prison reform, and immigrant rights, as well as reforming our housing and education laws to foster opportunity, social mobility, and greater justice. One of my central legislative priorities this session is to pass the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, for which I am the lead Senate sponsor, which would end the torturous practice of solitary confinement and significantly reform our prison system, which, along with mass incarceration, is a legacy of slavery in our country. In the district, my office is also a central point in our community, providing top-notch constituent services to an average of 500 constituents per month, on issues including housing, healthcare, public benefits, and more.
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?
Education is a key social justice issue, particularly for historically and systemically marginalized communities like the one I represent. I support all initiative making higher education more accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers, including the Graduate Student Worker Fee Waiver, Community College funding study (S3445A), school climate bill (S767B), other bills addressing financial aid, student debt relief, special needs education, TAP/GAP, and more.
28.Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I believe that affordable and comprehensive health care is a human right, and am a co-sponsor on the NY Health Plan which would establish single payer healthcare in NYS.
29.Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I am strongly committed to protecting reproductive rights and protecting and expanding access to contraceptives and abortion services, particulalry for communities like those I represent which have historically had less access to quality and accessible reproducitve healthcare. Last year I was a proud co-sponsor of the NY Reproductive Health Care Act, a historic achievement for reproductive rights in New York state.
30.Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
No - Although I recognize that an ideal campaign finance system is one that removes corporate contributions from politics, I acknowledge that a black and white policy towards corporate PAC contributions is not always ideal to advancing policy goals.
31.Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Yes.
32.Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
Yes.
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
34.Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
I am undecided regarding the cosponsorship of this legislation.
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?
Yes
36.What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?