Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Luis Sepulveda for NY Senate District 32
Candidate Name: Luis Sepulveda
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 32
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 and law focused on the day-to-day realities facing working-class New Yorkers in the Bronx—housing insecurity, access to services, public safety that respects civil rights, and opportunity for immigrant and minority communities. I served three terms in the Assembly and have represented Senate District 32 since 2018.
In the Senate, I’ve taken on increasing responsibility, including serving as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and previously chairing and serving on key committees tied to justice, cities, and judicial diversity.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
As a legislator, I have worked in coalition with and advocated for funding and policy support benefiting organizations that serve LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, including The LGBT Community Center, SAGE, the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness & Equity Fund, GMHC, the NYS Health and Human Services Network, and NEW Pride Agenda. I have also supported and participated in Bronx Pride programming and other community-based LGBTQ+ initiatives in my district.
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 consistently stood with community advocates and colleagues at events supporting LGBTQ+ visibility and equality in the Bronx, including Bronx Pride programming. I have also used my office to advocate publicly for LGBTQ+ community funding and services at the state level.
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?
New York must act as a firewall. My plan is to codify and expand protections in state law, fund community-based services that keep people safe, and prevent federal overreach from turning local agencies into enforcement arms that frighten communities away from schools, hospitals, and police protection.
I will continue advancing and supporting legislation that disentangles state and local government from federal immigration enforcement and protects New Yorkers’ privacy and due process, consistent with the goals of the New York for All framework.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No. I will not seek or accept endorsements from individuals or organizations whose agenda is to roll back LGBTQ+ equality or reproductive freedom. Those rights are non-negotiable.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes. I support the full right to reproductive health care, including abortion, and I support protecting access statewide while guarding providers and patients from intimidation, surveillance, and out-of-state interference.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
My office has not personally hosted a Drag Story Hour to date. However, we have participated in and supported community events that uplift LGBTQ+ youth and families, and I am fully supportive of Drag Story Hour programming. I am willing to host such events independently or in partnership with community organizations to ensure inclusive and affirming spaces for children and families in our district.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
I will continue expanding know-your-rights outreach, defend due process, and support laws that limit unnecessary data sharing and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement that undermines community trust. My office has already engaged the community on rights education and access to resources in the event of ICE encounters.
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes. New York should be a safe-haven state for transgender people and their families by protecting access to gender-affirming health care, shielding patients and providers from hostile out-of-state actions, and ensuring dignity and safety in institutions, including correctional settings.
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. I support progressive revenue measures to fund core public goods, including housing, health care, public education, transit, and services for immigrants, seniors, and LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
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 will advocate for a humane and well-managed shelter and supportive housing system paired with permanent housing pathways and wraparound services such as case management, mental health care, and job placement. I oppose scapegoating individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers and will instead push for transparency, adequate funding, and community engagement that delivers sustainable solutions.
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 support the aims of the New York for All Act and have backed related state legislation consistent with disentangling local law enforcement from federal immigration enforcement and protecting New Yorkers’ rights.
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. I support all four measures. I am a co-sponsor of the Second Look Act, the Marvin Mayfield Act, and Elder Parole, and I have supported the Earned Time Act in committee. These reforms are necessary to correct excessive sentencing, incentivize rehabilitation, and create a more humane and rational justice system.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes. I oppose the death penalty.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes. I was the original sponsor of the legislation to end solitary confinement. After my committee assignment changed, I transferred sponsorship of the bill to Senator Julia Salazar to ensure it continued to move forward. I remain firmly committed to ending prolonged solitary confinement and replacing it with humane and evidence-based approaches that protect safety and human rights.
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 have visited incarcerated constituents and will continue to do so. Direct engagement is essential to understanding conditions of confinement and ensuring that people in custody are treated with dignity. I will continue to support and advocate for the release of individuals who have demonstrated genuine rehabilitation and remorse and who are not a threat to public safety through parole reform, earned time, second look legislation, and clemency advocacy.
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. I will include clemency information and links in constituent communications and will share those materials with the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club. I support the use of clemency as a necessary corrective to excessive punishment and unjust collateral consequences.
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 rank Andrew Cuomo on my Democratic primary ballot in 2025. In the Democratic primary, I supported Zohran Mamdani.
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. I would support legislation to rename the bridge in a manner that reflects New York’s values of equality, racial justice, and respect for LGBTQ+ lives through a transparent process that centers impacted communities and historical context.
20. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
My remedy is a package approach: (1) significantly expand funding for deeply affordable housing and supportive housing; (2) strengthen tenant protections and anti-harassment enforcement so affordability is preserved; (3) incentivize true affordability in new construction (with enforceable, long-term affordability requirements); and (4) invest in public housing preservation and rehabilitation.
21. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
I will not accept contributions that compromise my independence or conflict with my values. I will refuse donations from the fossil fuel industry and from groups seeking to undermine public education through privatization schemes. I will also refuse support from entities whose political spending attacks LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, immigrants, or civil liberties.
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. I support Cecilia’s Act, and I am listed as a co-sponsor of S2513.
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. Students deserve an honest civic education grounded in democratic values, factual history, and the rule of law, including January 6 and the dangers of political violence and disinformation.
24. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
I have used my office to directly advocate for expanded LGBTQ+ funding in the state budget—including mental health care, elder services, trans wellness equity, economic justice, and HIV/AIDS services. I have also supported major justice reforms (second look, earned time, elder parole, elimination of mandatory minimums) and immigrant-protection legislation consistent with the New York for All agenda.
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. I will acknowledge and include the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club endorsement on appropriate campaign literature and digital materials.