Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Adriano Espaillat for US Congress NY-13
Candidate Name: Adriano Espaillat
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-13
Campaign Website: https://www.adrianoespaillat.com
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
As the first formerly undocumented immigrant and first Dominican American elected to Congress, my life story reflects the resilience, diversity, and aspirations of the communities I represent. I have served our neighborhoods at the city, state, and federal levels, consistently delivering results on affordable housing, immigration reform, healthcare access, education, and civil rights. My leadership within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, my seniority in Congress, and my longstanding relationships with community organizations position me to continue advancing policies that protect working families, immigrants, and LGBTQI New Yorkers. I combine lived experience, legislative effectiveness, and deep community engagement to fight for a more inclusive and equitable future.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I am an active member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and have consistently worked alongside LGBTQI advocacy organizations, community leaders, and service providers throughout my district. My office regularly engages with organizations focused on LGBTQI youth services, housing access, healthcare, HIV/AIDS advocacy, and anti-discrimination protections. I have proudly supported legislation and community initiatives advancing equality, dignity, and safety for LGBTQI individuals.
3. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
I have participated in and supported numerous rallies, demonstrations, press conferences, and community events advocating for LGBTQI equality, reproductive freedom, immigrant justice, racial justice, and criminal justice reform. I was outspoken against the Trump Administration’s family separation policies, anti-immigrant actions, attacks on reproductive rights, and efforts to roll back LGBTQI protections. I have consistently stood with activists and community organizations defending civil rights and democratic values.
4. In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
I will continue using every legislative, oversight, and organizing tool available to defend civil rights, reproductive freedom, immigrant communities, and LGBTQI Americans. That includes fighting to pass the Equality Act, protecting access to gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare, strengthening voting rights protections, defending sanctuary policies, and opposing discriminatory federal actions. I will continue partnering with grassroots organizations and
advocacy groups to ensure communities most impacted by these attacks have a voice in Congress.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No. I strongly support LGBTQI equality and reproductive freedom and will not seek endorsements from individuals who oppose those fundamental rights.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes. I strongly support the right to reproductive healthcare and abortion access without political interference. I support federal protections for reproductive freedom and efforts to expand access for low-income individuals and patients traveling from states with restrictive laws.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
I support LGBTQI visibility, freedom of expression, and inclusive community programming. I oppose efforts to target or censor drag performances and LGBTQI cultural events, including Drag Story Hours, which have become the focus of politically motivated attacks.
8. Do you support right-wing attempts to ban the teaching of “critical race theory”?
No. Students deserve an honest and inclusive education that reflects the full history of our country, including the history of racism, discrimination, and the contributions of marginalized communities. Attempts to censor educators undermine both education and democracy.
9. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a Sanctuary City?
As a former undocumented immigrant, I understand firsthand the fear and instability many immigrant families face. I will continue fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, protections for asylum seekers and TPS recipients, due process protections, and limits on abusive ICE practices. I strongly support New York’s role as a sanctuary jurisdiction and oppose efforts to criminalize immigrant communities or force local cooperation with harmful federal enforcement actions.
10. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes. Transgender individuals deserve safety, dignity, healthcare access, and protection from politically motivated attacks. I support efforts to ensure New York remains a safe haven for transgender people and their families.
11. If elected, will you commit to supporting legislation that raises taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
Yes. Wealthy individuals and large corporations must pay their fair share so we can invest in affordable housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and other essential public services that working families and vulnerable communities rely on.
12. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I believe the government has a responsibility to protect and support our most vulnerable neighbors. I support expanding affordable and supportive housing, increasing access to mental health services, investing in homelessness prevention, and ensuring asylum seekers receive humane treatment and legal support. LGBTQI youth, seniors, and immigrants are disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity, and I will continue prioritizing policies that address those disparities.
13. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes. I oppose the death penalty and support efforts to abolish it at the federal level.
14. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes. Prolonged solitary confinement is inhumane and harmful. I support criminal justice reforms that prioritize rehabilitation, mental health, and human dignity.
15. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?
Yes. I believe in rehabilitation, second chances, and restorative justice. I support fair clemency and parole processes for individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation and no longer pose a threat to public safety.
16. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?
Yes.
17. Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election?
I supported Zohran Mandami for Mayor.
18. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support renaming the former Queensboro Bridge?
I recognize and respect the concerns many advocates and community members have raised regarding Ed Koch’s legacy, particularly related to the AIDS crisis and civil rights issues. I believe public infrastructure and monuments should reflect our shared values of equality, inclusion, and justice, and I would welcome thoughtful community dialogue on this issue.
19. Do you support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority?
Yes. Bella Abzug was a trailblazing feminist, civil rights advocate, and ally to the LGBTQI community whose legacy deserves recognition.
20. If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Res. 719 “Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charles Kirk”? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I voted against advancing H. Res. 719, “Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charles ‘Charlie’ James Kirk.” Because reflected concerns about elevating divisive right-wing political figures whose rhetoric and organizing have targeted LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, and marginalized groups.
21. Do you support the immediate impeachment of Trump and other administration officials? If yes, which?
I support strong congressional oversight and accountability for abuses of power and violations of the Constitution. No public official, including a president, should be above the law.
22. When Democrats regain power, do you favor Justice Department prosecutions to hold Trump’s administration officials accountable for criminal offenses?
Any individual who commits criminal offenses should be investigated and prosecuted through an independent and impartial justice system, regardless of political position.
23. Would you vote to defund ICE?
I support dismantling ICE, including ending abusive detention practices, expanding alternatives to detention, increasing oversight and accountability, and ensuring LGBTQI immigrants are treated safely and humanely. Our immigration system must prioritize human rights and due process.
24. If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I voted against the resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib. I believe we should be able to express their views and engage in debate without politically motivated censorship measures that risk undermining free expression and democratic discourse, while continuing to strongly oppose antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate.
25. If an incumbent, how have you voted on allowing NSA to conduct warrantless searches? If not an incumbent, how would you vote?
I support protecting civil liberties and constitutional privacy rights and believe surveillance powers must include strong oversight and accountability protections.
26. If an incumbent, how did you vote on House Res 58 “Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism”? If not an incumbent, how would you have voted?
I voted against H. Con. Res. 58, “Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism,” because he viewed the resolution as a politically motivated effort to stigmatize progressive policies and divide communities rather than address the real economic challenges facing working families. I believe the focus of Congress should be on expanding affordable housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunity while defending democratic values and civil rights.
27. If an incumbent, how did you house on a resolution directing the removal of all troops in foreign nations not authorized by Congress?
I believe Congress has a constitutional responsibility to authorize military engagement and provide meaningful oversight of the use of force abroad. I support efforts to reassert congressional war powers and ensure that prolonged military actions are not conducted without authorization from Congress. I also believe U.S. foreign policy should prioritize diplomacy, human rights, and the prevention of unnecessary armed conflict.
28. Do you support allowing DC to fund its own government, including the criminal justice system, without oversight by Congress?
I support approaches grounded in public health, safety, and harm reduction, particularly for vulnerable populations who are disproportionately targeted or exploited. Any reforms should center human rights, anti-trafficking protections, and access to services and support.
29. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
I support major federal investments to expand and preserve affordable housing, including increasing funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, Section 8 vouchers, NYCHA and public
housing modernization, and supportive housing programs. I also support stronger tenant protections, incentives for transit-oriented affordable development, and investments in homelessness prevention. LGBTQI youth, seniors, immigrants, and working families are disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity, and housing policy must reflect those realities. My focus is on ensuring that low- and moderate-income New Yorkers can remain in the communities they call home.
30. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
I am committed to maintaining independence and ensuring that my decisions are guided by the needs of my constituents and my values of equity, justice, and human rights. I have consistently supported civil rights, public education, environmental protections, criminal justice reform, and diplomacy and peace abroad. My campaign will continue to evaluate support and contributions through the lens of those values and my commitment to the communities I represent.
31. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults?
I support approaches rooted in public health, harm reduction, and human rights. Consensual adult sex work should not result in criminalization that further marginalizes vulnerable individuals, particularly LGBTQI people, immigrants, and communities disproportionately impacted by poverty and discrimination. At the same time, it is critical to maintain strong protections against trafficking, exploitation, and abuse, while expanding access to healthcare, housing, legal services, and economic opportunity.
32. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
Throughout my career, I have consistently fought for immigrant communities, working families, reproductive freedom, racial justice, affordable housing, and LGBTQI equality. I have supported the Equality Act, defended access to healthcare, opposed discrimination in all forms, and partnered closely with community organizations serving LGBTQI New Yorkers. With growing seniority in Congress and leadership within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am positioned to continue delivering meaningful progress for the communities we serve together.
33. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes. I would be proud to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate campaign literature and electronic materials and to highlight the Club’s support for our shared commitment to LGBTQI equality, civil rights, social justice, and inclusive public policy.