Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jose M Serrano for NY Senate District 29
Candidate Name: Jose M Serrano
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 29
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I was born and raised in the 29th Senate District, and I have seen the needs and changes in my community over the years. I believe in approaching my work with kindness and empathy, along with hard work and determination. Over the years I have passed numerous progressive bills that can protect our most vulnerable populations, and I have a strong emphasis on health disparities and environmental justice.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Over the years I have worked with many LGBTQ+ organizations and I am so grateful for the guidance and support they have provided to the constituents within the 29th Senate District. I have been supportive of Destination Tomorrow and the work they do supporting the most vulnerable of our constituents who are facing housing and food insecurity.
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 have been a strong and vocal supporter of Trans rights, and in particular, against violence against our Trans community in places like East Harlem and the South Bronx. I am the proud cosponsor of many progressive bills that protect and enhance the issues stated in the question above. I was one of the first supporters of Marriage Equality in NYS.
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?
I believe one of the best ways to stand up to bigotry is by creating sound and protective policy on the local level. New York For All Act, sanctuary state legislation, strengthening protections for trans rights, in particular in housing and public protection, is what we should be focusing on.
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?
I haven’t hosted one, but I support my local libraries and I am fully in support.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
As I have done in the past with East Harlem Against Deportation, and with Liberty Act legislation, I will fight to remove ICE from any coordination with local and state agencies.
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes
10. 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
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
When local constituents blast me for my support of shelters or supportive services, my response is always that this could be any one of us, at any time, and we would find ourselves in need of these critical and life-saving services, and how would we feel if members of the community were in the streets blasting our very existence in our community?
12. Will you sponsor and support legislation which will ensure that state and local resources are not used to facilitate or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement (New York for All Act) to prevent the funneling of people into ICE custody, and the sharing of sensitive information with ICE?
Yes.
13. To advance safety and justice, New York must address our archaic sentencing and parole laws. Do you support the following key legislation: 1) Second Look Act (S.158/A.1283), which would allow judges to review and reconsider excessive sentences by considering if incarcerated people have transformed while incarcerated or based on changes in law and norms; 2) Earned Time Act (S.342/A.1085), which would strengthen and expand “good time” and “merit time” programs in prison that encourage personal transformation and reunite families?; 3) Marvin Mayfield Act (S.1209/A.1297), which would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, thereby allowing judges to consider individual factors in a case?; 4) Elder Parole (S.454/A.514), which would allow incarcerated people over age 55 who have served 15 years the opportunity to go before the parole board?
Yes for all
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
yes
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
yes
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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 support or endorse Cuomo, and I supported Mamdani in the General Election.
19. 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 and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
yes
20. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
We have lost so much affordable housing stock over the years. We need the next version of “Mitchell-Lama” style housing in our community. We also need to support and fully fund our NYCHA developments.
21. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes
22. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults? Also known as Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades (S2513 Salazar / A3251 Forrest). I support the concept but I would like to learn more about protections for vulnerable populations. I am happy to discuss this further with your group.
23. There is an effort to have mandatory inclusion of the New York State proposal that would require public schools to teach about the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, commonly described in the bill text as an “insurrection.” Do you support this proposal?
yes
24. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
Over the years, I have been a consistent progressive voice for the issues our community needs. I believe strongly in coalition building and ethics reform as a way to help inspire confidence in the work we do as elected officials. I tried to keep my responses here as succinct as possible, but I am more than happy to expand on any of my answers here when I come before the group.
25. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes