Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Kayla Santosuosso for City Council District 47
Candidate Name: Kayla Santosuosso
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 47
Campaign Website: https://www.kaylaforcouncil.com/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I have spent my career in public service, specifically working within the communities I am running to represent. Right out of college I began my career as a deputy director at the Arab American Association, and later I was the campaign manager for Khader El-Yateem's campaign for city council, who would have been the first Palestinian American council member in our City. After we lost that race, Councilmember Justin Brannan asked me to work for his office to ensure that we delivered the highest quality constituent services we could. Beyond working directly in local politics, I also bought and ran the bar where I met my husband (widely understood as one of the neighborhood’s only queer-friendly bars, which proudly displayed a pride flag in the window), which gave me firsthand experience in the challenges of running a small business. I have a deep appreciation for what smart, hard working members of City Council are able to accomplish, and I will never stop fighting for the people of Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, Seagate, Coney Island, and everywhere in between.
2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?
As a member and President of Bay Ridge Dems, we have partnered with many LGBTQ groups over the years, particularly LID and GayRidge. I also worked for CM Brannan during his speaker’s race, in which he supported multiple LGBTQ candidates who later became Council Members, including Crystal Hudson, Lynn Schulman, and Erik Bottcher.
3. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?
Our palm card is already designed and printed, but we will include the logo on our new batch of GOTV lit, and will be prominently featured on our website and announced on social media.
4. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump?
I have attended countless events of that type throughout my career, and was proud to get arrested in a civil disobedience in 2016 in protest of then-candidate Trump's illegal immigration bans. I was a founding member of “Bay Ridge for Social Justice” which organized annual marches and seminars on Martin Luther King day, as well as forums bringing together queer and Muslim communities. I also organized an effort to train thousands of New Yorkers in bystander intervention trainings after Trump got elected, which made national headlines, and which eventually became a permanent and ongoing program within the Arab American Association of New York.
5. In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
I am running for office because it is my firm belief that one of the most important tools we have to combat Trump is effective local government. I understand the communities in my district and the diversity of their needs, and now more than ever they need someone who can deliver effective fast constituent services. My opponent will actively seek to work with the Trump administration, and has no ability to help people navigate the chaos in the government and economy. If elected, I will do everything in my power to ensure that we protect our communities from the harm done by this administration.
6. Will you seek or accept endorsements of individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, such as Ruben Diaz Sr., Fernando Cabrera or Erick Salgado? Will you pledge to denounce their homophobia and anti-choice positions in the event you receive an endorsement from such individuals?
No, I will not seek their endorsement, and I will openly denounce homophobia among my colleagues.
7. In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
Effective local government is the most effective tool we have to protect women and the LGBTQ+ community from the destructive policies we will face from the federal government. Whether it is the curtailment of the right to reproductive health, medical services for the trans community, or the right for people to marry who they love, New York City must plan for the worst.
8. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes, and I am supported by Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Greater NY.
9. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Drag Story Hours take place in our local Bay Ridge library branches and through CM Brannan’s office we have supported those efforts.
10. What proposals will you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?
I would support existing proposed legislation to expand protections of sanctuary cities to our schools and hospitals. I would personally do whatever I could to alert my constituents of ICE’s presence in the community, and provide know your rights trainings to protect constituents as well. In fact I already conduct some of these trainings on behalf of CM Brannan’s office. Finally I will ensure that our local organizations that serve immigrant communities have the funding they need to operate, particularly amidst federal cuts.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
My career before running for office was often focused on providing services for the most vulnerable populations in my district, including a large population of asylum seekers from the Arab world. I aspire to run an office that can consistently address their needs. I have never been opposed to the construction of shelters in my district.
12. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2970, introduced by Council Member Shahana Hanif? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text urges the NYS Legislature to pass the New York for All Act, which would ensure state and local resources are not used to facilitate federal immigration enforcement. If not, please explain.
Yes, I would co-sponsor that legislation.
13. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2917, introduced by Council Member Crystal Hudson? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text endorses the Access to Representation Act, which would establish a “universal right to counsel” for indigent New Yorkers who are subject to removal proceedings under federal immigration law. If not, please explain.
Yes, I would co-sponsor that legislation.
14. Will you join our efforts to pass legislation mandating 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? The legislation is commonly known as the New York Elder Parole Bill.
Yes, I would work with our partners in the state government to pass the Elder Parole Bill.
15. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes
16. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes
17. 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
18. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?
Yes
19. 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?
It is too early for me to comment on what would be included in my constituent newsletter but my goal would always be to help guide any constituent through any challenges they might face from the legal system.
20. . Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?
I personally supported Kathy Garcia in the 2021 Mayoral primary, because I believed she was the most qualified candidate in the race.
21. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?
I am president of the Bay Ridge Dems which originally endorsed longtime friend Brad Lander in the primary. The club then immediately endorsed the Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani for the general.
22. Do you support the renaming of the Ed Koch bridge and will you work towards the renaming including sponsoring such legislation?
I would not support legislation to rename any piece of public infrastructure that upholds the name of someone who caused harm to New Yorkers.
23. What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for “City of Yes”? If not, please explain.
My predecessor and current boss Council Member Justin Brannan did vote for “City of Yes”, and we both share the belief that the construction of more housing is essential to getting us out of the current crisis. My district is home to a diversity of programs that keep housing costs low; we have thousands of rent stabilized units, as well as some of the largest Mitchell Lama and NYCHA developments in the city. I believe to address the astronomically high rents we must continue to fight for bold plans that include a diverse array of policies, including regulating rents to ensure they stay low, and constructing more public housing to help rebalance the market.
24. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?
It is very common in my district for unscrupulous landlords to illegally convert buildings into dangerously crowded short term rentals. We must go after developers that try to ignore regulations meant to protect the health and safety of tenants aggressively.
25. Do you support fully divesting city pension funds from Tesla?
Yes
26. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?
I have a diversity of experience that I believe will make me a dynamic and progressive voice in the City Council, but perhaps more importantly, I have experience pushing progressive policies to a community that is often resistant to them. I am focused on delivering meaningful quality of life improvements for my constituents so that we build up their trust in government. The risks our communities face in this current moment demand more than politicians who simply know the right things to say, if elected I will identify policies we can win and fight for them ruthlessly.
27. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
28. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?
As a candidate for my first term, I am not a candidate for Speaker.