Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Alex Bores for US Congress NY-12
Candidate Name: Alex Bores
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-12
Campaign Website: https://www.alexbores.nyc
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
In the Assembly, I have passed 32 bills, more than the rest of the congressional field combined, four times over. Because of that track record, the Center for Effective Lawmaking named me the most effective new legislator from NYC.
I would be only the second Democrat in Congress with a computer science degree. That is directly relevant to this community. The next frontier of anti-LGBTQ targeting is technological: surveillance of people seeking gender-affirming care, algorithmic discrimination in housing and employment, and data brokers selling location information that outs people to hostile authorities. I passed the RAISE Act, the strongest AI accountability law in the country, and I can write the privacy and data protection legislation this community needs.
That’s also why I developed a comprehensive LGBTQ+ policy framework focused on codifying nondiscrimination protections, defending gender-affirming care, protecting LGBTQ people from surveillance and data abuse, investing in mental health and HIV prevention, strengthening anti-bullying protections in schools, and addressing housing insecurity facing LGBTQ New Yorkers. I believe these fights require both urgency and specificity, and I was proud to be the first candidate in this race to release a specific LGBTQ+ framework: https://www.alexbores.nyc/platform/a-new-lgbtq-policy-framework-for-a-new-generation/
After I passed the RAISE Act, Trump megadonors and AI executives launched a super PAC and committed over $10 million to defeating me. Every Democrat in this race will tell you they will fight Trump. I am the one Trump megadonors are spending millions to stop. That should tell you who will show up when the fight is real and the pressure is on, which is exactly what the LGBTQ community needs from its representatives in Congress right now.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I’ve worked with LGBTQ organizations and advocates both before and during my time in office. In college, I volunteered with Haven, an LGBTQ organization at Cornell, and I’ve participated in Pride events in Ithaca and New York City for more than a decade. Since being elected, I’ve worked with organizations including Jim Owles, Stonewall Democrats, Equality New York, LGBT+ VC, Lambda Legal, the Ali Forney Center, the New Pride Agenda, and others fighting for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
That work has shaped both my advocacy and my legislation. I wrote a bill aimed at increasing investment in startups founded by LGBTQ entrepreneurs in partnership with LGBT+ VC and community advocates. I also successfully got DFS to change its guidance so private insurance in New York covers fertility preservation for people undergoing gender-affirming care. I’ve cosponsored major pro-LGBTQ legislation, including GIRDS and the Nonpublic Dignity for All Students Act.
I’ve also tried to build this into how I lead. My campaign and office have included LGBTQ staff, I’ve supported LGBTQ candidates, and before public office I advocated for LGBTQ employees in the private sector, including intervening when a client tried to print an employee’s deadname on their contractor ID. I don’t view LGBTQ rights as separate from the broader fights around dignity, fairness, and freedom that drive my work.
I’m proud to be endorsed in this race by EQNY, Stonewall Democrats, and NYC Youth 4 Trans Rights.
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 consistently show up when LGBTQ New Yorkers have been under attack. Hours after the Supreme Court’s Skrmetti decision, I spoke at the Union Square rally organized by the ACLU and Lambda Legal opposing restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans youth; the only candidate in this race to do so.
When NYU Langone shut down its Transgender Youth Healthcare Program under federal pressure, I joined legislators demanding they reverse course and stood with advocates and trans youth protesting outside the hospital.
I rallied in Albany to expand the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund, joined workers from The Trevor Project protesting cuts to the LGBTQ crisis hotline, and fought for funding for an LGBTQ youth suicide hotline and stronger anti-bullying protections.
I also stood with LGBTQ advocates at the re-raising of the Pride flag at Stonewall after attacks from the Trump administration and have marched in Pride events in New York City for years.
I have also shown up for Hands Off rallies since April of 2025, numerous rallies for the NY Equal Rights Amendment, and many, many others.
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?
The only way we win is when we do it together. The Democratic party has plenty of “plans” or “playbooks” but does not have enough organizers and fighters. This moment calls for people who can both build coalitions and who can stand up to intimidation.
I’ve always worked to build broad coalitions; that is the only way to get things done if you are one of 435 members. It is something I have proven uniquely adept at, whether that is building coalitions across immutable characteristics, ideology, or (when necessary) even party. And the legislators that have worked with the candidates have made their choice clear: 12 out of the 14 Assemblymembers that have endorsed in this race chose me. I will use that skill to build coalitions to ensure we speak with one voice against the Trump agenda.
We also need people who can stand up to Trump and his megadonors. Last year, Trump issued an executive order to stop states from regulating AI; it targeted my bill (the RAISE Act) and numerous bills across the country. But I did not back down; in fact, it is the only bill in the country that was targeted by that executive order that has been enacted since that executive order came into effect. And having someone in office that doesn’t just write about beating Donald Trump, or talk about beating Donald Trump, but has actually beaten him in a legislative fight; that is terrifying for his megadonors. So the same people that fund Trump’s superPAC that he uses to keep every Republican in line are funding a superPAC attacking me, trying to make an example out of me and keep every Democrat in line. We can’t let them win.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
No, although I definitely would
8. Do you support right-wing attempts to ban the teaching of “critical race theory”?
No, banning “critical race theory” is a bigoted MAGA strategy to paper over a long history of racial injustice in America
9. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a Sanctuary City?
We must abolish ICE and prosecute agents who violate the law. ICE has become a lawless, militarized deportation system. In Congress, I will use every legislative tool, subpoena power, and budget mechanism to restrict funding for mass deportation efforts. We also need to restore due process by guaranteeing the right to counsel so people are not forced to navigate life-or-death cases alone. I have already started this work at the state level by supporting New York for All and introducing legislation to curb ICE's power in New York. I have also shared legal resources with vulnerable communities in my district and protested outside 26 Federal Plaza, where ICE illegally detains our neighbors.
10. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes. I've been proud to support shield laws in the Assembly and would support New York become a Transgender Sanctuary State.
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. Massive loopholes in our tax code allow some people to live off of loans on appreciated stock and pay a near-zero tax rate. These loopholes must be closed. I support the Ultra-Millionaires Tax Act, closing the carried interest loophole, and funding the IRS so that tax cheats actually pay what they owe.
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 support increased investment in both temporary housing and low-and-middle income permanent housing. I have never opposed a new homeless shelter or asylum seeker place of refuge in my district, and in fact the main intake center at the Roosevelt hotel was in my district.
13. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes. It is inhumane and, thankfully, illegal in New York. It should be illegal federally.
14. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes. I am glad we outlaw solitary confinement in New York State and I carry a bill to expand similar protections to juvenile correctional facilities.
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. In my time in the Assembly I have signed clemency letters, visited Rikers, and visited constituents in prisons upstate.
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, we will do that.
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 did not rank Andrew Cuomo in the primary. I supported Zellnor Myrie in the primary and Zohran Mamdani in the general.
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?
Yes
19. Do you support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority?
Yes
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?
No. Political violence is always wrong, but Congress should not honor a man who built his platform on attacking LGBTQ people, immigrants, and Muslims.
21. Do you support the immediate impeachment of Trump and other administration officials? If yes, which?
I support the impeachment of the President and immediate investigations into all administration officials credibly accused of violating the law or abusing their office. It is tough to think of an administration official who is not grossly incompetent guilty of impeachable offenses.
22. When Democrats regain power, do you favor Justice Department prosecutions to hold Trump’s administration officials accountable for criminal offenses?
Yes. It should not be controversial to hold corrupt public officials accountable for breaking the law.
23. Would you vote to defund ICE?
Yes. ICE should be abolished.
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?
No. The motion was Republican grandstanding, punishing speech.
25. If an incumbent, how have you voted on allowing NSA to conduct warrantless searches? If not an incumbent, how would you vote?
No. As the author of the strongest AI accountability law in the country, I know how easily warrantless surveillance gets weaponized against immigrants, LGBTQ people, journalists, and protesters. Congress should require warrants and close the data-broker workaround that lets the government buy what it would otherwise need a warrant to obtain.
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 would have voted no on this resolution that was clearly a MAGA-backed waste of time.
27. If an incumbent, how did you vote on a resolution directing the removal of all troops in foreign nations not authorized by Congress?
I am not an incumbent, but I believe that Congress should have a much stronger role in overseeing foreign deployment of troops.
28. Do you support allowing DC to fund its own government, including the criminal justice system, without oversight by Congress?
Yes. The paternalistic attitude of the federal government towards DC is centuries out of date and current system is nothing short of taxation without representation.
29. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
I’ll cosponsor the Homes for All Act and AOC’s bill to repeal the Faircloth Amendment, fully fund NYCHA’s capital backlog, and enact a federal right to counsel in eviction proceedings. In Albany, I co-founded the NY Housing Caucus and championed office-to-residential conversions that have already delivered 2,500+ new units in the district, 400 of them affordable. I have a lot more detail on my website at https://www.alexbores.nyc/platform/a-place-new-yorkers-can-call-home/
30. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes, in fact I am not taking any PAC money this cycle (other than labor unions), and I’d gladly sign the People’s Pledge to take all super PACs off the field, including the ones supporting and attacking me, and pass legislation to abolish them in Congress.
31. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults?
Yes, while strong enforcement focuses on traffickers and exploiters, paired with strong harm-reduction services.
32. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
That at its core, this election will be about whether or not billionaires can buy American elections. Trump’s largest donors have committed to spend $10 million to defeat me and have said publicly that they want to make an example of me. If I lose this race, it will show that Trump mega-donors can run roughshod over our Democracy.
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, proudly.