Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Elvis Santana for NY Assembly District 79
Candidate Name: Elvis Santana
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Assembly- District 79
Campaign Address: 804 Westchester Ave Apt 2A Bronx NY 10455
Campaign Website:
Campaign Telephone:
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
Facebook:theelvissantana
Twitter: theelvissantana
Instagram: theelvissantana
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 the only Latino candidate in this race who intimately worked with the Bronx's at-risk population, I recognize the leadership needed to permanently aid those in the South Bronx. Growing up in the Bronx, not only was I exposed to the inequities within my community, but I was able to surpass them; however that's not a reality for most. The opportunities that I managed to obtain should be easily accessible to everyone in the community. Over the course of the last 10 years, I was able to help over 3,000 young adults obtain work, hundreds in earning their diplomas, advocating for environmental justice and housing reform. As a New York State Assemblymember, I plan to expand those opportunities and continue to fight for a progressive future with the core values of community, dignity, and stability.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
I have supported LGBT candidates in the past, but I was never an elected official to officially endorse them.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Not applicable.
4. LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Currently, I am a member of the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC.
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
I have donated money to SAGE.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
Though I do not identify myself as LGBTQ+, I am a strong ally for the LGBT community. My allyship was tested when my own sister came out as Bisexual and I consistently defended her within my hispanic family structure. Moreover, as the Director of East Side Settlement House, I helped launch one of the first Gender and Sexuality Alliances in the Alfred E Smith Educational campus and provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and staff. I have marched in various Pride parades and rallies in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have marched in 2019 NYC Pride with my sister. Moreover, I have marched in the Bronx LGBTQ+ pride marches.
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? While employed as the Director of the East Side House Settlement at the Bronx Haven High School, I employed LGBT individuals. To run for the New York State Assembly, I resigned as Director, so I am unemployed at the moment.
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
If endorsed, I agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials.
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 have marched in the Women’s March and Resist Trump Rallies. Recently, I participated in the Dominican Republic voting rights rallies. Moreover, I have participated in rallies and marches related to gun violence in the Bronx and participated in the Ant- gentrification rally in Brooklyn organized by BAN Gentrifying and the Ridgewood Tenants.
11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
At age 16, I was arrested for hopping the turnstile because I could not afford the cost of the metrocard at that time. The outcome today is advocating to expand the Fair Fare program for families of low income.
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?
I will fully support any criminal justice reforms that allow for the review of sentences of incarcerated people. Moreover, if recreational marijuana becomes legal, I will fully support expunging the records for marijuana possession.
13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
I will commit to visiting constituents in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility.
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?
Given the scale of this question and personal experience, I have yet to decide whether or not actions while incarcerated should be in addition to the original crime in determining parole.
15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
I have not participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole.
16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
I vow to hire formerly incarcerated people.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
I believe sex work should be decriminilized and If elected I would co-sponsor Sentar Ramos’s bill.
18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
I will actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic Model instead of decriminalization of prostitution.
19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
What I'm hoping to propose and and create is to expand health care to the people of the community along with guaranteed paid sick leave within New York.
20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
I will advocate removing public funding from religious schools, especially those with anti LGBTQ+ stances.
21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
I will support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces.
22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I have never endorsed any IDC members. I have donated money to Alessandra Biaggi to defeat Jeff Klein.
23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
I will commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison. My campaign manager is an openly queer cisgender male of color.
24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
I commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among my staff. Moreover, my campaign manager is an openly queer cisgender man of color.
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) Christine Quinn - Mayor
Letiticia James - Public Advocate
B) Bernie Sanders- 2016 Democratic Primary
Hilar CLinton- 2016 General Election
C) Cyntia Nixon- 2018 Democratic Primary
Andrew Cumo- 2018 General Election
Letiticia James - Attorney General
26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
I am vying to represent Assembly District 79, which is in the South Bronx and is this district residents are getting placed out by rising costs of rent and the impacts of gentrification. When I am elected, I will advocate for fully funding public houses and advocate for affordable housing units. Historically, the South Bronx has faced many different forms of discrimination. One of these is environmental racism and the South Bronx has the highest rate of asthma. When elected I will ensure New York state achieves 100% of carbon- free electricity by 2040 and 70% of electricity from renewable energy. One way to implement this is to ensure all public school buildings in our district have solar power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to improve air quality.
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 support increasing the funding for New York State public education institutions. I will advocate for debt relief for New York State loans. Moreover, I will work with the New York State congressional delegation to alleviate federal student loans. I understand that the cost of attending college has increased and public universities are receiving less state aid. I will advocate to allocate more funds to SUNY/CUNY’s operating budget and cover the “TAP’ gap.
28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
I support single- payer universal health care systems because people deserve access to affordable health care and specifically in the district I am vying to represent cannot afford high costs of premiums. Moreover, this will allow for the lower costs of prescription drugs.
29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I firmly believe women should have the right to choose on their reproductive health. I support universal access to contraceptives and abortion services.
30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
I have refused all Political Action Committee funds and all donations are small, grassroots.
31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
I will refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda.
32. Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by anti-union and Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
I am pro union and will oppose any Trump donors.
33. Do you support the surrogacy bill introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman allowing women to decide control of her body in regard to surrogacy?
I support the surrogacy bill!
Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
I will proudly co sponsor legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause.
34. 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?
I support the Home Stability Support.
35. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
In terms of education, I support culturally responsive teaching, which includes LGBTQ+ history infused into the curriculum. I support schools operating Gender and Sexuality Alliances to promote a safe space for all students. LGBTQ+ homeless youth is a crisis in New York and we need to allocate resources for these individuals. Moreover,