Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Nathalia Fernandez for NY Assembly District 80
Candidate Name: Nathalia Fernandez a
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Assembly District 80
Campaign Address: 2199 Cruger Avenue, Bronx NY 10462
Campaign Website:
Campaign Telephone:
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): @fernandez4ny
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Odis Guererro/347-220-7006/odisguerrero05@gmail.com
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
This district holds the neighborhoods that my parents resided in when they immigrated to the Bronx from Cuba and Colombia. As the daughter of immigrant parents, I know the value of hard work and dedication to one’s community. In 2013 I began working as a district representative for the 80th Assembly district office. I was soon was soon promoted to chief of staff and held that position until 2017 when I entered Governor Andrew Cuomo’s intergovernmental affairs team as Bronx Regional Representative. In early 2018 I resigned to run in the Special Election for the 80th when the sitting Assembly member started his term for the 13 City Council seat.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
Yes, in 2013 I campaigned for Ritchie Torres for City Council, D15; also Justin Westbrook-Lowrey in 2018 & 2020 for Male District Leader for the 87th Assembly District.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly). When I entered in the assembly, I introduced A2762 that would increase the age for homeless youth to stay in shelters from 21 to 24. I have also cosponsored the followings bills:
A576 – Conversion Ban
A747 – GENDA
A1071 – Gestational Surrogacy
A8375 – Panic Defense
A654 – Walking while trans
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Destination Tomorrow, NYC Stonewall Democrats
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to? Not applicable.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community? Yes, an ally.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Yes, I attended NYC Pride various years since college. Have marched every year since 2016. Bronx Pride festival in 2018 & 2019
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes. Currently my Executive Director for the 80th Assembly District office is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She has been with me since I started serving in 2018
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 attended numerous rallies in support for criminal justice reform regarding, cash bail reform, prosecutor misconduct. I have attended the Women’s March every year since it’s started. I attended a Trump Protest in 2017 in front of Cipriani’s with the NYS Dems.
11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest. I have never been arrested.
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, many mandatory minimum sentences had been in place for decades that targeted black and brown communities. Reviewing these long standing cases will be necessary.
13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes, I have visited Sing Sing State Penitentiary twice to visit Jon Andre (JJ) Velazquez. This year I wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo in support for his clemency.
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, however it should be kept in mind that “risk of reoffending” is often a racially charged term, used to target minorities some may consider to be “dangerous.”
15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? Yes, in Albany, for HALT Solitary.
16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? I will hire whomever is best for the job, regardless of their background.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
I believe in the decriminalization of sex work, however those “managers” who abuse and exploit women need to be held accountable for their crimes.
18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
Once again, I support the decimalization of prostitution as long as no party is being exploited or funneled into a system against their will.
19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I support a sanctuary city. I pushed for funding the Liberty Defense Fund in the NYS State budget. I co-sponsored A2176 Protect Our Courts Act to keep ICE officers out of court rooms. I introduced A7090 & A7091 to ensure that permanent residents are given the right to vote in state and local elections.
20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
I would not be able to commit to removing funding from religious schools. Many of my constituents view religious schools as an alternative to public school, and they provide a service in the community. I am open to continuing this conversation.
21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? I support exploring the possibility of implementing such a space, however these conversations need to include safety measures, location scouting, as well as providing rehabilitation services to anyone who seeks them.
22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates.
In 2018, after I won the special election, I endorsed Jeff Klein for his re-election for State Senate. Klein was my senator and one whose office I worked closely. I gladly welcomed the opportunity to work with Senator Biaggi when she became the district’s representative so that we can better serve the district in which we have a large overlap. It has been a great working experience with Senator Biaggi, as it has always been for me when working with the 34th Senate District office.
23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community? Yes, I already have.
24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff? Yes, I 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?
I did not publicly endorse anyone in 2014.
In 2016 I supported for Hillary Clinton
In 2018 I supported Andrew Cuomo & Leticia James.
26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
I am a proud co sponsor of the Solutions Not Suspensions Act (A1981), MRTA (A1617), also a cosponsor to MoA Richardson’s bill A3648, which would establish a multicultural curriculum to be added to schools to better teach African American, Latino & Native American History. I have introduced bill A2768 that would establish Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as public holidays; A2738 making the removal or threat of religious clothing as aggravated assault in the second degree.
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?
Pursuing a higher education should not put students inn crushing debt. I am an advocate for cancelling student debt, expanding the Tap Gap, and increasing federal funding for public colleges so that the students aren’t forced to carry the burden.
28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I do. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We should all be privy to healthcare, regardless of our economic status. Single Payer is the only fair way to implement that system without creating a burden on the working class.
29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I was a proud co-sponsor and voted in the favor of the RHA (A1741), Boss Bill (A566A) and CCCA (A1378). I believe all women should have access to contraceptives and abortion rights.
30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
I have refused to take Real Estate Pact money, but to be truthful, my father and family members are small landlords and they supported me regardless of my advocacy for the housing and tenants rights.
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. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
Yes, I am already a co-sponsor and have pushed for the Tenant Protection Act.
34. 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, I am a co-sponsor to the bill.
35. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
I have always been, and continue to be, a voice for progressive reform. That is the only way to truly change foundational inequities that persist to this day.