Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jelanie DeShong for NY Assembly District 43
Candidate Name: Jelanie DeShong
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 43
Website: https://jdforassembly.com/
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
As a first-generation Caribbean-American, I am not just a product of Central Brooklyn, my story is the story of Central Brooklynites. At a young age, I learned of my mother’s undocumented status; and I could not believe that a public-school teacher who devoted her life to educating children couldn’t vote or access basic services. My passion for helping my mom gain her full immigration status fueled my commitment to serving my community. And through opportunities working for Jumaane Williams, David Greenfield, Kathy Hochul, and SUNY Downstate Hospital, I’ve developed a reputation for successfully connecting my community to public services. For too long, the 43rd Assembly District was looked at as an afterthought in Brooklyn. Fortunately, our most recent representative was dynamic and brought attention to many of the issues our community is facing. And while I am humbled that former Assemblymember Diana Richardson is supporting my campaign to replace her, I know that the charge to continuously better the lives of my community is one borne of purpose. This campaign is not about me, it's about the mother who is considering leaving central Brooklyn because she doesn't want her son shot dead in the streets. It's about the family who has to make a decision on what bill to pay, and when, just so they can afford to eat. It's about giving the kid who is growing up with little to no inspiration around them some hope that even though the world has seemed to throw them away, they have a fighter in their elected official. That is what my campaign is about. And it is about time that someone who was both connected to the
neighborhoods, and with those in power, bring these issues to the fore; and work collaboratively with stakeholders to solve problems, not just talk about them.
2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Council Members Hudson, Osse and Bottcher
3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?
While I’ve not yet had the privilege and responsibility of sponsoring legislation, I am proud of the LGBTQ leaders across New York State who have fought tirelessly to successfully urge elected officials to support measures such as marriage equality, GENDA, legalized surrogacy, banning the gay-panic defense, and the repeal of the walking-while-trans law.
4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
New Pride Agenda, The Center, Stonewall Dems
5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?
While I’ve not yet been in a position to allocate government funding, I have personally donated to the Stonewall Dems.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
An ally, but not a member.
7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I’ve enjoyed marching in the NYC Pride Parade for 7 years prior to COVID-19.
8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I currently employ high-level campaign staff who are openly LGBTQ.
9. If you receive the Jim Owles 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 LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?
Separate from my work in government advancing pro-LGBTQ, pro-choice, and criminal justice reform policy, I have personally attended several anti-Trump rallies (Barclays & Times Square), the Black Trans March, and two Women’s Marches.
11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate.
n/a
12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? n/a
13. For the following pieces of legislation, please answer if you are currently a sponsor or co- sponsor (if you are an incumbent), or if you will co-sponsor (if you are not an incumbent):
A. Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure access to the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State. This bill insures that decisions on parole are not solely based on the nature of the original crimes but
includes incarcerated peoples’ record of rehabilitation and assessment of current risk to public safety.
Will co-sponsor
B. Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow elderly incarcerated people who have served at least 15 years in prison an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for a chance at release.
Will co-sponsor
14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? n/a
15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written?
Yes
16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last?
Yes
17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails?
Yes
18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility?
2021, Rikers Island
19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes
20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year?
Criminal defense services are woefully underfunded in New York State, resulting in disproportionate underrepresentation of counsel for Black, brown, LGBTQ and other marginalized communities. More funding must be allocated to defense attorneys and other supportive services to help New Yorkers with criminal convictions to seek clemency.
21. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Would you be willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way?
One of the reasons I have decided to run for office is so that I can be in a position to use my
voice to advance the change that New Yorkers deserve. While my government roles have largely been serving at the pleasure of a principle, as opposed to being in a position to publicly advocate, I have built a professional reputation for being able to offer critical thoughts on policy and strategy, and I commit to continuing and increasing those efforts as a Member of the Assembly.
22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole?
No, but I have worked within the Executive chamber on reforming the process during my time with Governor Kathy Hochul.
23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment?
Yes
25. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work?
Yes
26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach.
Yes. The Nordic model takes a fundamentally problematic approach to sex work. Rather that recognizing the autonomy and choice of individuals who desire to engage in sex work, it maintains the stigma that we must commit to removing from the practice. Any legalization of sex work must punish bad actors, but respect the fact that sex work is work.
27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals?
Yes
28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?
While the Federal government has failed time and time again to advance comprehensive immigration reform, it must fall on New York State to extend as many rights and privileges as possible to immigrant New Yorkers – proposals that will increase access to healthcare, housing, legal representation, and especially COVID-19 recovery. Immigrants of any status – such as my mom and other members of my family – are a part of our communities in every way but name; and as the Statue of Liberty state, no state should be more of a sanctuary than New York.
29. Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor?
Will co-sponsor
29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes
30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
Campaign endorsers:
Sen. Zellnor Myrie (2018 vs. Jesse Hamilton) AM Diana Richardson (2020 vs. Jesse Hamilton)
31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff?
Yes
32. Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
A) Garcia/Wiley
B) Clinton / Biden
C) Nixon / James
33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who?
Not yet
34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? For State Legislators?
Yes – statewide office/state legislators
35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
New York State must recognize its historic role in the slave trade, America’s original sin. Beyond recognition, I support legislation to study reparations in New York; as well as requiring legislation to be accompanied by a racial impact statement.
36. 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?
New York’s public education is top tier, but could be better and much more accessible. That’s why I support returning CUNY to being free, and making SUNY tuition-free for all middle- and low-income New Yorkers. Additionally, to incentivize graduates from New York colleges to stay in the state, I support loan forgiveness programs for those in emerging and high-need industries such as cannabis and healthcare.
37. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate.
A single-payer, universal healthcare system must be the goal of society. In order to get there, New York must lead the way. I will proudly co-sponsor the legislation long championed by Assemblyman Gottfried and Senator Rivera.
38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
Throughout my professional career, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on the implementation of a statewide Women’s Agenda that prioritized the needs of children and families that too often go unaddressed. And after traveling across the state and seeing the devastating impacts of healthcare inequities on communities like mine, I took a job at SUNY Downstate Hospital where I was responsible for traveling to Albany and securing necessary funding to keep Brooklyn’s only teaching hospital the community beacon that it is. It has been the honor of my life to work in the healthcare industry as Director of Government Affairs at SUNY Downstate Hospital; thus, it’s been incredibly exhausting to witness any and all attempts to rollback access to reproductive care – especially with the knowledge that these rollbacks impact the poor, LGBTQ, and communities of color the most. As a Member of the Assembly, I commit to doing all I can to continue to protect and strengthen reproductive rights in New York State.
39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?
Yes
40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Yes
41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?
Yes
42. 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? Will you co-sponsor S.856 / A.6032, which amends the Social Services Law to create a statewide rent supplement for families and individuals who are eligible for public assistance benefits and who face eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence or hazardous living conditions?
Yes
43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it?
The program should be ended altogether, and New York City should commit to increasing the housing stock of truly affordable housing, linked to the actual earnings of local communities.
44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units?
Yes
45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much?
I support comprehensive reform of NYCHA that will lead to safe, stable, habitable and modern public housing; and I commit to working with our federal and local officials to achieve that.
New York State has a vested interest in this, in addition to NYC and the federal government; and should therefore have a year-after-year funding commitment of at least 25%.
46. Do you, or will you, co-sponsor the Climate and Community Investment Act? (S.4264A / A.6967) If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
Yes
47. Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / A. 8290? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
Yes
48. Do you support the New Deal for CUNY (S.4461 / A.5843)? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?
Yes
49. 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 a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Yes
50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
It is long overdue for us as a nation, but at least as New York State, to have sometimes difficult conversations about our past. We can acknowledge our history without celebrating the painful people and actions that have contributed to harms home and abroad. Statues like the Columbus statue should be removed, the history of the pain they’ve caused preserved so that we do not repeat it, and then the community should be engaged in determining a replacement – one rooted in our aspirational values and ideals as New Yorkers.
51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much?
While not married to a specific number or percentage, I support funding public safety in a way that respects the rights of all New Yorkers, while maintaining their safety. Law enforcement does not automatically equate to public safety, and we must reallocate funds (be it from law enforcement or anywhere else) towards crime-reduction measures that are rooted in community.
52. 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.
Save for incidents that include violence or a high possibility of violence, I believe that schools, mental health calls, homeless outreach, and traffic enforcement are not inherently violent and should be addressed through government intervention that does not include police.
53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
Yes
54. How would you recommend law enforcement officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Law enforcement officers are public servants. As such, they should take their charge as leaders to set an example. Any officer not following city and state rules should be penalized, up to and including firing.
55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
The CCRB provides an invaluable service in New York City and must continue to be empowered and strengthened in its scope and reach, with the ability to issue binding determinations.
56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State?
The most pressing support needed is a full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We must continue to implement pandemic policies that are rooted in science, while expanding government support for businesses – especially the service industry.
57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes
58. Do you commit to speak personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support?
Yes
59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively?
i) I am committed to building a first-class women & children’s hospital in Central Brooklyn.
ii) As an Assemblymember, I will strongly advocate for the passage of Good Cause Eviction legislation, and will champion policies that place low- and middle-income New Yorkers, many young professionals like myself, on a path to homeownership.
iii) Boosting current employment programs such as workforce one, vocational/job/career training center, incentivizing the hiring of residents in the community, creating business improvement districts and merchant associations to preserve and invest in the creation of small businesses which are the backbone of the local economy.
60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account?
$52,000
61. What additional information would you like members The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision concerning your candidacy?
I began my career interning at the League of Conservation Voters because I understood that climate change affects us all; and that it is incredibly important for people from Black and Brown communities to be on the front lines fighting for environmental justice. I then worked in city government in the office of former Councilman, and current New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, where I learned how an advocate can transition into an effective legislator that truly represents the interests of their community.
I took this experience to the state level where I worked in the Executive Chamber and fought for progressive issues that affect every day Brooklynites like a $15 minimum wage and Paid Family Leave. I also focused on the implementation of a statewide Women’s Agenda that prioritized the needs of children and families that too often go unaddressed. After traveling across the state and seeing the devastating impacts of healthcare inequities on communities like mine, I took a job at SUNY Downstate Hospital where I was responsible for traveling to Albany and securing necessary funding to keep Brooklyn’s only teaching hospital the community beacon that it is.
For me, representing the 43rd Assembly District would be the culmination of a my history of service, as well as the honor of a lifetime. I want to fight for the people, because I’m of the people, which is why I’m supported in this race by the elected officials who represent the community like Congresswoman Yvette Clark, Senator Zellnor Myrie, and outgoing Assemblywoman – Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Richardson. They’ve been allies throughout my career and I’m proud to be able to count them among the many who can speak to my love for Central Brooklyn and my desire to serve.