Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Carolyn Tran for City Council District 25
Candidate Name: Carolyn Tran
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 25
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am a mother, feminist, surfer, and public servant working for everyday people. Over the last decade, serving Council District 25 has been my entire focus. My love and commitment to serve and uplift those most vulnerable in our communities has been my guiding principle. My role has always been behind the scenes in service and labor in support of the leadership of others. I never saw myself as a candidate for office because traditionally these spaces are not designed to support a working class, single mom in the pursuit of public office. I have built deep relationships with our most vulnerable community members, put in the work to understand the issues that impacts our communities, have the experience in local government and how to leverage it to amplify community led solutions. This campaign is a coalition of community organizers, mothers, women, LGBTQIA+ activists and allies that reflects the world we are fighting for. My decade of experience in the district, bold, progressive values and ability to bring communities together makes me best qualified to represent the district.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I have worked for Council Member Daniel Dromm for the past 11 years.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I have supported the leadership of Council Member Dromm who has been a pioneer in the LGBTQIQ+ community.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have volunteered with Love Wins food pantry, which is a LGBTQI+ led volunteer organization that serves over 500 residents a week with food.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I do not.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, for the past 10 years I have marched in Queens Pride and help support the event. I have marched in Pride several times.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, I have supported the leadership of my LGBTQIA+ staff and boss. We currently employ two LGBTQIA+ individuals out of a staff of 7.
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 have attended and supported many press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQIA+ issues and criminal justice issues in my 11 years living in Queens.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
YES ABSOLUTELY. I am particularly passionate about addressing the issues incarcerated women and gender non-confirming individuals in our state prisons and city jails.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
YES ABSOLUTELY especially formerly incarcerated women and gender non conforming individuals.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
My approach to addressing any issue, especially systemic racism, is to let movements and those who are directly impacted by the issue to lead the solutions. I vision is to listen to individuals and organizations who are working to dismantle racism and push for policies and legislation on the inside to address it. Placing BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals in the decision making process is important in combatting systemic racism.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
YES.
In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
YES. YES. YES.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I firmly believe it should be removed. We should replace it with a statue of Buffalo Calf Road Woman.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
YES ABSOLUTELY.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
YES. By at least $4 billion.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted NO.
Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools; b) Mental health response calls; c) Homeless outreach and social services; or d) Traffic enforcement.
Yes to all.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
YES.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
YES and not be allowed to police anymore.
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
YES.
How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Take their OT away.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I would make CCRB a stronger body with actual enforcement abilities. Yes I would support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support closing Rikers. I don't believe our City should invest in so much funding to build four borough-based jails, but we need to re-envision what facilities look like and the services provided inside for those who are incarcerated. I am an abolitionist, but I know the road to abolish is not tomorrow.
Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
YES absolutely.
It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’s concerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?
Have direct lines to City agencies rather than an oversight agency that funnels calls.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes I support on both.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, I am against school screenings and believe it perpetuates systemic racism in our public education system. I would advocate to abolish G&T programs.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I endorse and would push for the New Yorkers for Racially Just Public School platform reforms.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
Yes.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
Yes.
Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat the IDC in 2018?
No. I voted for Senator Jessica Ramos.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
I will ensure that and recovery and stimulus funds will be easily accessible to nightlight establishments in NYC. I would speak directly with nightlight establishment and ask for their guidance.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to not appointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverage estalishments?
Yes.
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patrons to dance at more venues and eliminate the restrictions against dancing?
Yes definitely.
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long Island City?
Yes I oppose.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
Work with community organizations on their input of development proposals.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
YES.
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due to pressure from some local residents?
YES.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Look at policies that the City enacts that would avoid triggering ICE when immigrants are detained by NYPD.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy and legislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.
YES.
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) Public Advocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
A) Bill de Blasio B) Letitia James & Jumaane Williams C) Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden C) Cynthia Nixon and Letitia James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Climate justice, women's issues and universal childcare
Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additional reforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices?
1) A more transparent, community process 2) Favors community input vs. developers 3) Transparent and language accessible.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
My vision for the City Council seat is to use the office as a tool for community engagement and political activation among immigrant communities in the district. I plan to hold people's assemblies, participatory budgeting and horizontal leadership to do movement work.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can the club and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
Yes definitely. Continuing to work with the club to learn about your priorities and having regular check ins.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
YES.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
As a woman of color who has worked and served this district for the past 10 years, the Jim Owles club has an opportunity to endorse a candidate who has the qualifications and bold, progressive values the City needs. When elected I would be the first Vietnamese American woman elected in the City Council and New York State.