Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Keith Powers for Manhattan Borough President
Candidate Name: Keith Powers
Office Seeking Election for: Manhattan Borough President
Campaign Website: www.keithpowers.nyc
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I’m a born and raised Manhattanite with longstanding legislative experience and the ability to help drive solutions to this city’s biggest challenges. I’ve served in
the City Council since 2018, where I’ve been a champion on housing issues in Manhattan and citywide. I’ve led the charge on office conversions to housing, including a new rezoning in Midtown South. In 2019, I successfully helped senior citizens at Waterside Plaza negotiate a rent reduction that was lauded by The New York Times. I also joined the Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village tenants to successfully win a lawsuit to maintain rent stabilization for all residents. In addition, I’ve passed numerous pieces of legislation that prevent housing discrimination and protect renters from overcharges. During my time in the City Council, I’ve also authored and passed legislation to convert the city vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, protect animal welfare against cruel conditions, prevent housing discrimination, strengthen the noise code, tackle e-bike fires, expand mental health beds in the five boroughs, and end the scourge of scaffolding in Manhattan. I was recognized as the top lawmaker in New York City in 2019 by City & State, was honored as Crain's 40 Under 40, and have been selected as a CUNY Lindsey Fellow and a NewDEAL Leader. In short, I’ve done this work already, and look forward to continue doing it for the borough that raised me.
2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?
During my time in office, I have endorsed a large number of LGBTQ candidates, including my colleagues Erik Bottcher and Lynn Schulman, drafted legislation to address issues with the LGBTQ population inside of our city jails, allocated funding to LGBTQ organizations, attended rallies/protests/press conferences in support of LGBTQ issues, marched in Pride parades, and more.
3. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?
Yes
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’ve participated in countless rallies around these issues, including speaking at rallies in Manhattan to garner volunteers for Kamala Harris’ campaign. During my tenure, I’ve attended the Women’s March, rallies against solitary confinement, protests against Trump’s assault on LGBTQ+ rights, rallies for tenant rights, and countless more public demonstrations. As an active and engaged elected official and tenant organizer, I’ve always helped lead the charge and speak up for what’s right in our communities.
5. 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?
I will not take their endorsements and will denounce those positions.
6. 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 will gladly play a strong role as a defender against Project 2025 and the Trump 2.0 agenda, particularly when it comes to the rights of marginalized communities. This includes an ongoing education campaign to inform our residents about Trump’s discriminatory acts, participating in and leading demonstrations, and sponsoring legislation to protect us at the local level wherever possible. As Borough President, I’ll use every tool at our disposal on a city level to protect against Trump’s dangerous agenda.
7. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes
8. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Yes, I have funded and attended their events on the East Side. I have also denounced attacks on them when protestors show up at my local libraries.
9. What proposals will you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?
Particularly in light of President Trump's election, it's more important now than ever to ensure we're standing by our immigrant communities. Local government in New York City and State will be at the forefront of the Trump resistance when it comes to immigration policy. While the federal government may attempt to come into our schools, our workplaces, our houses of worship, our public transit system or other critical parts of daily life here in our city– local governments must safeguard hard working families from these extreme policies around deportation. As Borough President, I’ll proactively work to introduce legislation that combats Trump’s agenda, protects hard working immigrant communities, and arms them with the legal resources necessary to make their case in a court of law. I've been at the forefront of this work in the City Council, including legislation linked here: New York City Council Member Keith Powers Announces New Legislation to Strengthen Detainer Laws. Another critical role I can play as Borough President is to ensure our office is doing everything it can to facilitate the connection between immigrant communities and services, including the MOIA Immigration Legal Support hotline, the Legal Aid Society’s hotline, and more. With the potential for unpredictable and unprecedented actions coming from the Trump administration, local governments serve as a major line of defense to protect the rights of our immigrant communities.
10. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I’m proud to have been acknowledged for “showing us how to treat the homeless like neighbors rather than enemies,” as described by the New York Times. During my time in the Council, I’ve allocated $180,000 to homeless outreach programs with a "meet people where they're at" approach, as part of his ongoing mission to uplift all New Yorkers. I have not opposed a shelter in my district, and will always work to find solutions that get our homeless populations into safe, stable housing.
11. 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.
I support the resolution.
12. 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.
I support the resolution.
13. 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
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes, I was a sponsor of Int 0549
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, I joined Allan Roskoff to visit Judith Clark and have visited our city and state facilities numerous times as Chair of the Criminal Justice System.
17. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?
Yes
18. 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
19. . Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?
No endorsement
20. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?
I have not made a determination on the Mayoral race at this time.
21. Do you support the renaming of the Ed Koch bridge and will you work towards the renaming including sponsoring such legislation?
I disagreed with the original decision to rename the bridge and as a New Yorker, it is always the 59th Street Bridge to me.
22. What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for “City of Yes”? If not, please explain.
I supported City of Yes. The Borough President can use numerous tools to help drive more affordable housing in the borough: 1. Push for full affordable housing (or the highest amount achievable) on sites that are publicly owned, 2. Create a borough-wide housing plan that proactively identifies sites where deep and meaningful affordable housing is achievable (and move applications in a timely manner when they achieve this goal), 3. Use appointment powers to ensure that affordable housing is a top priority, 4. Bolster community boards with more land use assistance and better coordination in the earliest stages of ULURP
23. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?
I have not been supportive of efforts to rent out apartments as short term rentals. That opinion is formed from my days on my tenants association.
24. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?
I started my career as a tenant organizer and have strongly defended progressive values as an elected official. I’ve secured rent regulation for over 6,000 of my neighbors in Stuyvesant Town. I’ve received a 100% record from the NYLCV. I’ve fought to convert NY’s vehicle fleet to all-electric. I’ve fought to strengthen hate crimes legislation. My record is filled with examples of these fundamental values that I’d take to the Borough President’s office.
25. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
I am proud to have carried this endorsement in the past and I hope to continue to earn your support during my Borough President run. You can view more information on my candidacy at keithpowers.nyc
26. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?
N/A