Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Lauren Ashcraft for US Congress NY-12
Candidate Name: Lauren Ashcraft
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress, Congressional District 12 (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Roosevelt Island)
Campaign Address: PO Box 1033, New York, NY 10163
Campaign Website: www.laurenashcraft.com
Campaign Telephone: 917-725-1833
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): @VoteAshcraft, Facebook.com/VoteAshcraft
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Paul Warren, Campaign Manager, 214-675-4496, Paul@laurenashcraft.com
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
For too long everyday working people have gone ignored across the country and district. My family represents what it means to be ignored by representatives: a coal miner killed by corporate greed, a Japanese immigrant who faced racism and xenophobia, a mechanic who fell and became paralyzed. How is it that the Americans with Disabilities Act is 29 years old, but in the largest city in the United States, the majority of our subway stations are not accessible? How is it that we are just now starting to prioritize the Green New Deal and saving our planet when we have known for so long that we are facing disastrous climate change? How is it that we still rely on such a broken, for-profit healthcare system? Why are there still thousands of people sleeping on the streets in NY-12 alone? We need a people-powered advocate to represent NY-12 and stand up to big money in politics. I am a working resident of NY-12 with a family that has experienced the issues that many face across the country, and it is time that a grassroots organizer who has created real, grassroots change in her community becomes the vocal advocate of the district.
Do you now support or have you ever supported openly LGBTQ candidates for public office? Yes
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly). n/a
What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? NYC Pride
If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to? n/a
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community? I am an ally.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes! NYC Pride, Queens Pride. I marched in both in 2019, and have otherwise participated in all other years since living in NYC (2014)
Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes and yes.
If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Yes!
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
NYC Pride, Queens Pride, Women's March on NYC(organizer), Impeachment Rally, Safety in Solidarity, Decolonize This Place Subway Fare Protest, and often attend rallies and marches with Vocal New York and also Middle Collegiate Church
If elected or re-elected will you become a member of the “Squad?" Yes
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest. No
Will you advocate for legislation to mandate 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? Yes
Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility? Yes
Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes
Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? Yes
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes
Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Yes
If an incumbent, did you vote for HR 1865 in 2018? Will you introduce and or support legislation to amend HR 1865 so that sex between consenting adults, with monetary exchange, is legalized?
This would include the use of ads and on-line contact. n/a
Do you support a national law legalizing gestational surrogacy? Wii you introduce such legislation? Yes
What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and to further New York as a Sanctuary City? I advocate for decriminalizing crossing our borders and ending deportations. I do not believe that any human is illegal, and we need to facilitate our legal immigration process so that people do not need to live in fear.
Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools? Yes
Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes, and I support decriminalization of all drug usage.
Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. No
Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community? Yes
Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff? Yes
Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018?
A) Jumaane Williams B) Bernie Sanders primary, Hillary Clinton general C) Cynthia Nixon and Letitia James
Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination
I support reparations and true criminal justice reform, including ending arrest quotas, ending cash bail, decriminalizing poverty, encouraging the development of positive relationships between police forces and the communities they serve, and ending for-profit prisons and mass incarceration which has historically impacted People of Color at a much higher rate. I also support federal legislation requiring an outside special prosecutor for cases involving killings by police to eliminate conflicts of interest. I also am for pay transparency at employers with over 199 employees, which will combat the wage gap.
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?
I support abolishing student debt, making higher education free, and also providing a credit to those who have paid off their student debts so that they can reinvest this money in their futures.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I support single-payer Medicare-For-All
Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I support women's bodily autonomy and the full coverage (no exceptions) of contraceptives and abortion services by insurance.
Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate? Yes
Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
I am 100% people-powered and people-funded and honored to have the endorsement of Brand New Congress, Blue America, Digital Left, YoungPAC, Forward Thinking Democracy, Women for Justice, and Public Arts Commission. Our grassroots campaign has incredible momentum and we have already reached about 50,000 voters in the district through our canvassing and outreach efforts.