Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Rebecca Seawright for NY Assembly District 76

Candidate Name: Rebecca Seawright

Office Seeking Election for:  Assemblymember 76th District

Campaign Address: 345 E. 81, 9L NYC, NY 10028

Campaign Website: www.Rebeccaseawright.com

Campaign Telephone: 917-608-2919

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): 
Rebeccaseawright@friendsofRebecca; @Rebecca 76AD
RebeccaSeawright@seawrightforNY

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Mike Arena 917-991-1601, Michael.arena.nyc@gmail.com

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?

I grew up in a small Texas town, fought against discrimination and corruption and later worked for Governor Ann Richards and Roe v. Wade attorney Sarah Weddington.  I have lived in NY for 31 years.  As an attorney, former Community Board member/PTA activist I have promoted progressive values and legislation during my 6 years as a State Legislator.  Passing LGBTQ bills, a groundbreaking 3D mammogram bill and other progressive legislation for both my district and NYS.

2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?

Tammy Baldwin, Krysten Sinema, Glen Maxey-TX, Gina Ortiz, Corey Johnson, Brad Hoylman.

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)

LEAD PRIME SPONSOR: on A4744 LGBTQ Awareness Curriculum bill in public schools; Passed A8033 Updates procedures in Family Court to reflect real family structures regardless of gender or custodial status. A272 Expanded ERA prohibits discrimination based on gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation. K01148 Resolution commending life of my dear friend Edith Windsor celebrating her life and accomplishments of which I am honored to be included twice in her memoir.  

CO-SPONSOR: A747 GENDA; A576 Ban Conversion Therapy; A270 Ban Gay Panic Defense; A866C Establishes LGBTQ Long term care facility Bill of Rights; A1266 LGBTQ, Veterans disability owned businesses in State owned contracts. A8306 Establishes LGBTQ youth suicide prevention task force.

4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?

Jim Owles Liberal Dem Club, SAGE, HRC, Lambda Legal, Callen Lorde, Hetrick Martin Institute, Stonewall Democrats, Lambda Literary, GLAAD, Family Equality Council-keynote speaker, LIGALY / Long Island Network, former EEGO orgz., NFWFW, OUTRIGHT, LGIHR, Williams Institute- keynote speaker, Sag Harbor LGBTQ center, The Center 13 St., The Edie Windsor Center Southampton hospital (guest speaker ribbon cutting/cosponsor annual fundraiser); former ESPA orgz., LPAC, Transgender PAC, Trans Advocacy; Intersex Assn.

5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?

See list in Qn 4

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?

Yes as a devoted longstanding ally.

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?

8 years - 6 years of which I had my own banner, signs on sticks, and recruited delegation of marchers under our logo.

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?

Absolutely!

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?

My own sponsored press conferences most recently on my LGBTQ curriculum bill Feb. 2020; Expanded ERA, Abortion rights, Women’s March, LGBTQ advocacy day in Albany featuring Edie Windsor Resolution, Decriminalization of sex workers, pay equity, etc.....

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

13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?

Yes

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? 

Yes.  While an Asst Dist Atty I co-director of the Com Alert re-entry program.

17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos? 

Yes/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?

Long time supporter and speaker at the Citizenship Now programs. Was cosponsor of the Dream Act and strongly support NYC remaining a sanctuary city.  Cosponsor of numerous bills to help immigrants.  

20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?

Yes

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

No

23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?

This exist currently in my office.

24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?

Exist currently.

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) DeBlasio Mayor, Tish James Pub Adv, B) HILLARY, C) Cuomo, T 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 support the establishment of a National Commission on Reparations to create a blueprint for congressional action on what form and substance should be applied to reparations to affirmatively address the disgraceful history of slavery in America and the current impact of racism on the aspirations of people of color.

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?

New York State needs a Statewide Higher Education Investment Bond Act which would establish long term funding vehicles to support free public higher education and bonded support for technology, equipment and facilities upgrades, freeing up more dollars for the hiring of graduate students and more full time faculty.  Annual budget appropriations are insufficient --we need long term financing and to stop relying on student tuition.  There should be a state-supported college work study program to create more student jobs in colleges and in communities.  I support a loan forgiveness programs in exchange for community service.  The CUNY ASAP program should be the model for community college education, with the student success supports, including financial aid, free metro cards, and intensive counseling.  We need a graduate student grant program, not loans, and more youth leadership training programs in low income communities.  CUNY students should be recruited on a much larger scale to serve as mentor/tutors for public school students.

28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.

Yes, cosponsor

29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.

Member of bipartisan legislative caucus.  Cosponsor of Reproductive Health Act, Lead sponsor of employee notification bill.   Honored Choices Health clinic President Merle Hoffman at my annual women’s event.  

30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?

Yes

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 anti-union and 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)?

Yes

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?    

I would consider it an honor to receive the endorsement of this club and I would announce it proudly on my social media platforms.    I am a strong supporter of anti gun violence legislation.