Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Brandon Patterson for NY Assembly District 64
Candidate Name: Brandon Patterson
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Assembly, 64th District
Campaign Address: 39 Broadway, Suite 1740. New York, NY 10006
Campaign Website: pattersonforny.com
Campaign Telephone: 646-552-5028
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
Patterson_B (Twitter)
Facebook.com/PattersonForAssembly
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I have been working in government my professional adult life and have seen the good and bad of how it works. I have worked through the horrors of Superstorm Sandy and will get NY back on its feet after this Pandemic.
I am also the union pick, with endorsements so far from UAW, Longshoremen, RWDSU 338, Carpenters, Elevators local 1, Sanitation officers, IATSE...and more joining weekly. I have the experience to move this district and state forward on day one.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
Matt Titone for Surrogate Court Judge
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A- 1st time candidate
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Staten Island Pride Center
Community Health Assoc of Staten Island
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
N/A- 1st time candidate- but would continue to help fund Pride Center Staten Island, CHASI and other Brooklyn or Staten Island based organizations.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
I consider myself an ally and an advocate of issues.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
No, but I consider myself an ally and an advocate of issues.
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently
N/A- 1st time candidate
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes
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 boycotted Staten Island St. Patricks Day Parade in support of Staten Island Pride Center
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?
I will not sponsor such legislation, but am open to discussion of what policy would look like for parole in relation to individuals who reach a certain age that have been incarcerated for a certain period of time. I would want a higher standard for violent criminals, and should still sit before a parole hearing.
13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes-- I will visit Correctional facilities across the state to ensure we are doing all we can to ensure safety for our officers and inmates.
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?
I believe that individuals become less risk of re-committing the original crime over time and that some individuals do face remorse over time.
15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
No
16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
No
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
No
18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
I dont believe there is a model that would be supported by individuals who claim to supportive of the Nordic model
19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Will take them on a case by case basis
20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
No - I believe we need more funding for all schools. I believe the private institutions should have more private and philanthropic support.
21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
No
22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I currently work for Diane Savino and have for the past 6 years
23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Yes- I would want the best candidates that are reflective of the community.
24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
Yes- I would want the best candidates that are reflective of the community.
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
Mayor- I skipped the ballot line
Public Advocate- Tish James
President- Hillary
Governor- Andrew Cuomo
AG- Tish James
26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
I believe our city has done a terrible job in underserved communities during this pandemic. We have failed students by getting them online with proper equipment. I also believe we need to evaluate our broadband service as a City to ensure our communities are treated more equitable.
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 have long called for expansion of the Excelsior Scholarship as well as TAPP and other programs.
28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
No- I believe the bill in NY currently is outdated and doesnt account for changes made to federal and local law since its original drafting. I want to ensure that we can do proactive things such as lower co-pays for services, and ensure more health options so we can lower costs for patients.
29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I am 100% pro choice
30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
No
31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Havent been offered any, nor do I know anyone to even ask.
32. Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
I am against all casinos in my district
33. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
No
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?
Yes- our homeless services in the City and State are not adequate.
35. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
We may not agree on all issues, but I will always be a transparent and accessible friend.