Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Keith Powers for NY Assembly District 74
Candidate Name: Keith Powers
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 74
Campaign Website: https://www.keithpowers.nyc/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I believe I’m best qualified to continue to represent this district because my career in public service has been rooted in this community and guided by a commitment to equity, dignity, and results.
I grew up in New York City and have dedicated my career to making it more affordable, safer, and more accessible for working families. In the City Council, I delivered tangible results — expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, supporting small businesses, and investing in public safety. Now, I have been able to bring that to my role as Assembly Member in Albany.
I’ve also been a consistent advocate for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers — protecting transgender rights, supporting HIV/AIDS services, and working to ensure our city remains a safe and affirming place for everyone.
At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack nationally, Albany needs experienced leaders who can build coalitions, navigate complexity, and stand firm. I’m ready to continue fighting for equality and delivering real results for our community.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
During my time in office, I have endorsed a large number of LGBTQ candidates, including Carl Wilson for City Council, Ryder Kessler for New York State Assembly, my colleagues Erik Bottcher and Lynn Schulman, and many many more.
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?
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.
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?
The Trump Administration’s attacks on women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and communities of color demand organized, sustained resistance — and as a current Assembly Member, I am approaching this moment with urgency.
In Albany, I am working to strengthen New York’s legal protections, fully fund reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, defend our sanctuary policies, and expand anti-discrimination protections in housing, employment, and health care. New York must serve as a firewall against federal rollbacks.
Beyond legislation, I am partnering with advocacy organizations, community leaders, and local agencies to ensure rapid response coordination, clear communication about people’s rights, and proactive enforcement of our state laws. I am committed to using my office to organize, protect, and stand firmly with the communities under attack.
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?
Yes, I did this for years in the City Council.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
By empowering my community with information and connecting them to rapid response networks with the Hands Off coalition plus sponsoring bills such as NY For All.
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?
I support a more progressive tax structure to ensure the wealthiest New Yorkers and large corporations pay their fair share.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I believe we have a moral obligation to protect and uplift the most vulnerable among us, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers.
Our focus must be on expanding safe, well-run facilities, investing in permanent supportive housing, and ensuring access to mental health care, job support, and legal services so people can transition into stability.
Leadership means stepping up and I am committed to humane, practical solutions that reflect our values and address root causes.
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. I am a sponsor.
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.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes. I voted to do so in the City Council.
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?
No, I did not support Andrew Cuomo in either 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?
I disagreed with the original decision to rename the bridge and as a New Yorker, it is always the 59th Street Bridge to me.
20. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
I support a practical approach to increasing low- and moderate-income housing by both building more housing and preserving what we already have. That includes expanding financing tools and public-private partnerships, while also addressing the barriers that keep rent-stabilized units vacant.
I also support community-based models like community land trusts where they make sense. Ultimately, we need scalable solutions that increase supply, lower costs, and keep New York affordable for working families.
21. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
My campaign donations have been completely individuals and labor unions.
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).
Yes..
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?
I have been very proud to receive your Club’s endorsement several times since I was elected and happy to have the opportunity to continue partnering and supporting your causes.
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.