Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Zohran Mamdani for NY Assembly District 36
Candidate Name: Zohran Mamdani
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Assembly, 36th District (Queens)
Campaign Address: 32-15 35th Street, Apt. B1 Astoria, NY 111o6
Campaign Website: zohranforassembly.com
Campaign Telephone: 917-691-1231
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
Twitter/Instagram/ Facebook: @ZohranKMamdani
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
Matthew Thomas
302-299-0122
matthewthomasdsa@gmail.com
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda, and grew up in New York City after my family moved here when I was seven years old. I graduated from Bronx Science and now work as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor, helping immigrant families facing eviction stay in the homes they worked their whole lives to earn.
Every day at work, I see the consequences of the pro-corporate and pro-landlord policies in Albany. They’ve turned family homes into investment properties while letting public housing fall into decay and disrepair. When people are drowning, the stopgap solutions that are available now, like small grants and low-interest loans, do nothing for the vast majority of New Yorkers struggling with housing insecurity. No matter how many families I’m able to help, there are always thousands more on the precipice of homelessness because of an unexpected illness, job loss, or emergency. The families I work with live mainly in Jackson Heights and Richmond Hill, but the same housing crisis is unfolding in Astoria. Since 2010, median rents in Astoria have increased by 30 percent to $2,200 per month - a startling figure totally beyond the reach of most New Yorkers. Just last year, there were 4,043 evictions in Queens, representing 20% of all evictions across the city.
Astoria needs someone in Albany who not only knows first-hand the kind of pain and desperation that our families are experiencing, but knows what’s causing it as well. I do because I see it happening every day. That’s why I’m not accepting a penny from the corporations, real estate developers and special interest PACs that buy off politicians to support their bottom lines and insulate them from accountability. That’s why we’re building a truly grassroots campaign, supported by volunteers and funded by small-dollar donations. This is what’s going to allow us to speak the truth about what’s happening to our city and our state, and what has to be done to stop it.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
The first vote I ever cast after I became a citizen in 2018 was for Cynthia Nixon in the Democratic primary for New York Governor. In 2019, I was proud to serve as one of DSA’s principal organizers for Tiffany Cabán’s campaign for Queens District Attorney. Jim Owles was one of the few LGBT organizations in the city that had the courage to take a stand for gay insurgent candidates and true progressives running against the Democratic establishment. As an insurgent myself, it would be especially meaningful for me to earn your endorsement.
I am also running on a slate of five DSA-endorsed candidates for state office. One of my slate-mates, Jabari Brisport, is a gay man, and I’m proud to have endorsed and campaigned with him and look forward to serving together in Albany.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
N/A
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
N/A
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
No.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
No.
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
On this campaign, my communications director, my webmaster, my transit policy advisor, and my data manager are all members of the LGBT community.
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
I’d be honored.
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?
A few weeks ago I was proud to participate in a demonstration outside of Melinda Katz’s inauguration with comrades from Court Watch NYC and Vocal NY to protest her failure to live up to her promise to end cash bail in Queens. You can view a clip of the protest here: https://twitter.com/ZohranKMamdani/status/1214355961617489920
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?
The DSA slate recently rolled out a joint criminal justice reform platform that includes support for a number of decarceration measures, including elder parole. Although this bill only currently exists in the Senate, I commit to introducing companion legislation in the Assembly if necessary.
You can read the platform here:
https://www.zohranforassembly.com/issues/decarcerate-new-york/
You can read coverage of the platform here:
https://queenseagle.com/all/dsa-challengers-push-state-legislature-criminal-justice-reform
13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes. In 2018, I volunteered with Survived and Punished, an organization that advocates for the release of women convicted of crimes for defending themselves against violence and abuse. As part of that work, I visited an incarcerated woman in Bedford Hills in order to help with research for her clemency application. I’m running to represent all my constituents, including those who are currently incarcerated, and expediting and supporting their return to the community as quickly as possible.
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. The truth is, incarceration is a violent and dehumanizing undertaking that exacerbates many of the problems it purports to solve while failing to address the underlying causes of crime. Every effort must be made to build alternative systems of accountability, repair, and support that move us away from carceral responses to social problems, and in the case of parole, facilitate the return of our loved ones who are incarcerated to their communities.
15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
I participated in protests organized by Survived and Punished outside of Governor Cuomo’s office to call attention to his abominable record on clemency and commutation. I also helped to organize public workshops to educate the public about this issue and encourage them to advocate for incarcerated individuals with their representatives.
16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes. I will also support efforts to make it easier for formerly incarcerated individuals to find work, including statewide “ban the box” legislation and investment in programs that provide job training and placement to those who’ve been incarcerated.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
I strongly support the decriminalization of sex work and the enactment of appropriate protections for sex workers. I will proudly co-sponsor the Stop Violence in the Sex Trades Act while in Albany.
18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
I strive to listen to and center the needs and values of impacted communities in the development of all of our campaign’s policies. The sex work community has been very clear: the Nordic model reinforces all the systems oppress sex workers, makes them less safe, and worsens their material conditions. Criminalizing clients, friends, family, and allies of sex workers makes it extraordinarily difficult for them to meaningfully participate in public life, including paying rent, earning a living, or even walking down the street. I will work to educate the public about this issue and oppose Nordic model legislation.
19. What proposals will you advocate to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
First, we need to ensure that New York receives an appropriate allocation of federal resources and representation. More than one-third of the funding for New York’s health, housing, and nutrition support programs comes from the federal government, which determines how much we receive based on the census. The census is also the basis of redistricting that will occur in 2020, so it’s critical that we ensure an accurate count. The New York Immigration Coalition recommends a $40 million investment in community-based census outreach, which I support.
This will ensure we have appropriate supports to fund existing initiatives and establish new programs. For example, New York must pass the Ensure Immigrant Healthcare Access Act to establish a state-funded health insurance plan available to low-income residents regardless of immigration status.
We also need to actively resist the persecution of our immigrant communities by federal authorities. We should expand funding of the Liberty Defense Project so make sure New Yorkers have access to high-quality legal representation in immigration proceedings. We should pass the Protect Our Courts Act to prohibit ICE from making immigration-related arrests in any New York state court. We should also pass legislation to limit local police cooperation and information sharing with federal immigration authorities, and prohibiting local police from assisting in deportation enforcement.
20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
I believe that public money should be used to fund public schools, not subsidize private education, regardless of religious affiliation. I will advocate for this position in Albany.
21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes. My criminal justice platform includes support for A60/S498 to accomplish this goal.
22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates.
No. In 2018, I was proud to serve as campaign manager for Ross Barkan, the most progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for State Senate in Bay Ridge, who ran to challenge the then-incumbent Republican Marty Golden in the same spirit as the No IDC candidates that year.
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: For mayor, I initially supported John Liu and then later supported Bill de Blasio. For public advocate, I supported Letitia James.
B) President in 2016: Bernie Sanders
C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018: Cynthia Nixon 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.
New York State continues to uphold policies that perpetuate educational and residential segregation, mass incarceration, and economic disenfranchisement. As a graduate of Bronx Science, I have personally witnessed just how segregated New York City public schools are, especially our specialized high schools. I support measures to integrate our public schools and fully fund our education system, including the abolition of the SHSAT and increasing education funding in compliance with the Campaign for Fiscal Equity.
I will also work to dismantle mass incarceration in New York by opposing the construction of new state prisons and jails, divesting from our $3 billion/year carceral system, and investing in jobs, services, and restorative justice approaches that are proven to actually reduce crime, promote community stability and improve public safety. I also support the abolition of felony disenfranchisement, including for incarcerated New Yorkers, as we work toward full decarceration of our state.
I will also advocate for New York state to not to do business with countries, companies, or other actors that enforce, promote, or profit from colonial practices. This includes divestment from financial institutions that profit from usurious sovereign debt, as has happened in Puerto Rico, and fossil fuel companies that profit from ecological devastation and environmental racism that primarily impacts the global south and marginalized communities here at home.
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?
The SUNY and CUNY systems, and CUNY in particular, are some of the crown jewels of American public higher education. Two of the top five and eight of the top ten universities in the country that propel students from the bottom quintile of the income distribution to the top quintile are CUNY schools. The system is an engine of economic mobility that sustains New York City’s middle class, its public bureaucracy, and its broader economy. The fact that it continues to provide such incredible personal and social value despite being chronically underfunded and increasingly expensive is a testament to the system’s resilience and quality.
Although New York State made an important step toward expanding access to public higher education through the Excelsior program, there’s still more to be done. Excelsior doesn’t cover non-tuition expenses like books and housing, which are prohibitive to many low-income students. It also requires students to maintain a full course load, which is not feasible for students that need to work to support themselves and in many cases, their families. We need to move away from means-tested solutions and return these systems to their tuition-free roots.
28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes. Our for-profit insurance system generates hundreds of billions of dollars in waste every year, including profits paid out to shareholders and executives, money spent on marketing, advertising and lobbying, and duplicative and inefficient labor in the patchwork of hundreds of different insurance systems in this country. A single-payer system is the only solution that can save this money and use it to expand coverage and redirect resources toward patient care, not goosing corporate bottom lines.
For this reason, I support federal Medicare-for-All legislation and the enactment of nationwide single-payer. However, New York can move us closer toward that goal by passing the New York Health Act and establishing a single-payer system right here in our state. Eliminating the private insurance industry in the second-largest state in the country will not only provide savings and improved coverage for New Yorkers, it will ease barriers to a federal single-payer system.
29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
Abortion should be safe, legal, and free. In New York, we need to pass the New York Health Act and ensure that it fully covers all reproductive health services, including birth control and abortion. Federally, we need to repeal the Hyde Amendment and pass national Medicare-for-All legislation that ensures access to these services free of charge throughout the country.
New York City made an important step forward last year when it became the first city in the country to allocate funds to pay for abortion services for women traveling to New York for the procedure from out-of-state. New York State should replicate this model, and subsidize abortion services for New York residents as well, alongside movement toward statewide single-payer.
30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
I have pledged not to accept any money from the real estate industry, including PAC money, direct corporate contributions, contributions from real estate executives and big landlords, and contributions from property management LLCs.
31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Our campaign does not accept corporate contributions of any kind, and would refuse contributions from any such executives as well.
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 strongly support Good Cause legislation, introduced by my DSA comrade Julia Salazar, which also establishes universal statewide rent control in New York. I plan to work toward the enactment of a homes guarantee in New York State, and have released a housing policy platform to advance that goal. It includes the elimination of the 485-a and 421-a tax abatements, reinvestment of those savings into NYCHA, generating new revenue to fund construction of new social housing, the establishment of community land trusts, mandating rights-of-first-refusal for tenants to buy out their landlords and for land trusts to acquire foreclosed properties, and improved funding and free representation for tenants in housing court.
You can read the full platform here:
https://www.zohranforassembly.com/issues/housing/
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?
AD-36 is one of the most progressive districts in the state, and has grown increasingly supportive of left-wing candidates over the past five years, including DSA-endorsed challengers. It went for Bernie Sanders by eight points, Cynthia Nixon by 14 points, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by 40 points, and Tiffany Cabán by 60 points. DSA has built up a robust field operation in the district that we are ready to deploy and expand further in this race, and expect to have the strongest presence in the field by far.
The district is also home significant Muslim and South Asian communities that have never had the representation they need or deserve in Albany, and who have been neglected by the politicall establishment for years. Our analysis shows that the participation rate of Muslim voters in the 2019 DA’s race was just seven percent, 10 points lower than the rest of the district. We’ve developed a plan to engage these communities with the goal of doubling Muslim turnout in our election. We’ve already begun by rolling out a doorknocking campaign targeting non-Democratic registered Muslim voters to convince them to switch their registration prior to the February 14th registration deadline. After that date, we’ll turn toward registered Democrats to drive turnout for our campaign.
Financing a field operation of the size typical of DSA campaigns will be our biggest expense, but we are well positioned with regard to fundraising. Between our launch on October 18th, 2019 and the first filing deadline on January 11th, 2020, we raised more than $55,000, 96 percent of which came from individual contributions. In total, we received 1,393 individual contributions from 1,017 unique donors, with an average contribution of $35. 221 of these contributions from 166 unique donors are from the district. By contrast, the incumbent raised $69,000 but only $24,000, or 35 percent, came from individual contributions. She received only 103 contributions from 100 unique donors, with an average contribution of $236. Of these, only 31 contributions from 30 unique donors came from the district.
These figures reveal that our field presence is already strong, and will only grow stronger as we expand our volunteer operation. We’re currently averaging about 3-4 canvassing events per week, including doorknocking events and subway canvasses.