Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Ron Kim for NY Assembly District 40
Candidate Name: Ron Kim
Office Seeking Election for: New York Assembly
Campaign Address: 131-05 40th Road 18U, Flushing, NY 11354
Campaign Website: www.ronkim.com
Campaign Telephone: 917-972-4722
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): Twitter: @rontkim FB: @rk4ny
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
As someone who grew up in Flushing and now raising my young family here, I have spent my entire adult life giving back and fighting for my constituents. From working families to migrant sex workers, I have stood with some of most vulnerable members of my community.
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)
NY GENDA Act, Walking While Trans, Decrim Act
4. LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? Yes, I’ve supported and helped APICHA.
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to? APICHA
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community? Yes
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Queens Pride
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes but not right now.
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’ve been actively involved with the Decrim NY and bail reform rallies and press conferences.
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? No
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
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?
I carry a proposal to bank the unbanked communities regardless of immigrant status by making our benefits more portable and fluid.
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? Yes
24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff? Yes
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 and Tish James B) Hillary Clinton C) Cuomo and Zephyr Teachout
26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
I believe there is no justice without economic justice. For the last few months I have worked hard to offer the nation’s first public payment system that will focus on circulating new money toward paying for care work.
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?
I have introduced and carry legislation that would allow the state to use eminent domain to buy and write down people’s student, medical, and consumer debts.
28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I also believe in Medicare for All which is one of the main reasons I support Bernie Sanders for President.
29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I believe local and state governments must do more provide sustainable funding for Planned Parenthood to make sure all people have access to contraceptives and abortion services.
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?
As the only Asian American from Queens to stand up for sex workers by pushing for rights over raids, I have been on the frontlines with migrant workers who are targeted everyday by the NYPD. This has been a tough fight, resulting in an active NYPD officer running against me on a law and order platform.