Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Melanie D’Arrigo for US Congress NY-03
Candidate Name: Melanie D’Arrigo
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress, Congressional District 03 (Queens, Long Island)
Campaign Address: Friends of Melanie D’Arrigo, P.O. Box 312, Port Washington, NY 11050
Campaign Website: www.darrigoforcongress.com
Campaign Telephone: 917-923-6787
Campaign Social Media Handles: (Facebook/Twitter): FB: DarrigoForCongress, Instagram: @DarrigoForCongress, Twitter: @DarrigoMelanie
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I feel I’m best qualified to represent my district because I understand the needs and issues affecting the people that live here. I’m not a politician and have never run for office. I’m a grassroots activist, mom of 3, and healthcare advocate who grew up on Long Island. I was the first in my family to attend college working with the help of student loans, grants and scholarships. I also worked several jobs while in college to pay for books and food. I know the struggles working class people face because I lived them.
I’m a fighter — I grew up in poverty, worked hard to get to Barnard and held down dozens of jobs to get through college. I’m bringing that grit to fighting for the progressive values I believe in. As a healthcare advocate, I’ve been on the front lines working with children, families and organizations struggling with our
broken healthcare system As a mom, I’m terrified for my children’s future: we need a Green New Deal, guns out of schools, affordable healthcare—and we need to protect Roe.
I’m in the trenches of local activism and will fight for the grassroots—not in the pocket of insurers and corporate PACs like my opponent. If we want a government by the people and for the people— then we
need to elect representation that will fight for the people. I am that person.
Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
I have always supported candidates who share like minded beliefs. I openly supported Tiffany Caban in the most recent DA primary. I openly support Mark Pocan, who leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus, I have been a supporter of Katie Hill, who unfortunately just resigned from her post as representative in California. I have also openly supported Stephe Koontz, who was the first transgender person to win a contested election in Georgia, and Jimmy Van Bramer, my former City Councilman in Queens.
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?
Prior to having children, I volunteered with Cheer New York, a nonprofit organization comprised of all-volunteer LGBTQ+ and ally cheerleaders. As a volunteer, I performed with the team and raised money for local LGBTQ+ charities through the New York Spirit Fund. I was also a performer on the NY Liberty Torch Patrol at Madison Square Garden, where we would have theme games & events that would celebrate the LGBTQ community.
If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
I believe I have donated to the Human Rights Campaign.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No, I consider myself an ally.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, I have participated in several Pride Marches. ~2004-2007 in New York City. I participated in the Atlanta Pride in 2017, In New York City in 2018 and in Long Beach in 2019 for Pride Weekend hosted by the LGBTQ Network.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
I am currently a full time candidate and am looking for staff. Previously, I have had LGBTQ individuals working for me.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club using its FULL name on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes.
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
I have participated in all Women’s march events and helped organize the Atlanta Women’s March in 2018. In 2018, I organized a local pro-choice rally with planned parenthood for State Senator Anna Kaplan and Assemblyman Tony D’Urso. I am a volunteer with Planned Parenthood and attend as many of their events as possible, including the abortion ban protest in NYC this year. I participated in March for Our lives after Parkland. I have participated in numerous immigrant rights protests on Long Island. I protested during the
Kavanaugh hearings and then again for the anniversary of Kavanaugh. I have been to Washington D.C. on several occasions to protest a variety of issues with the Center for Popular democracy including the abortion bans, immigrant rights, unfair packing of the courts, medicare for all, Trump's citizenship question on the Census. Earlier this month, I went down to DC to protest outside and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community at the Supreme Court while they listened to the LGBTQ discrimination cases.
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?
I think they should all be considered and seriously taken into account, however, depending on the severity of the crime, I can’t say with certainty they should be considered over the crime. For lower level offenses, I do think they should play a bigger part.
Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
I publicly supported clemency for Cyntonia Brown and signed a petition asking for leniency.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes, I have worked with formerly incarcerate individuals in the past. Having been to prison should not mean someone is shunned for the rest of their lives. I believe in diversity. If we truly seek to reform criminal justice then it is imperative to have a formerly incarcerated individual on staff.
Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Do you support amending H.R. 1865 to exclude sex workers who chose the profession?
I support the decriminalization of sex work.
What proposals will you advocate for the protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
My race is federal, so I will have no jurisdiction over state laws. However, I plan to build stronger coalitions with State officials to support a variety of immigrant friendly policies. I support reinstating DACA & TPS protections. I believe in a real path to citizenship for asylum seekers and immigrants and will toward this goal.
Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools? Yes. I am a product of public schooling and believe we need to adequately fund all our public schools to reduce the education gap.
Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? I have just begun research on these spaces. I have to read more about the instances of increased detox, safe usage, etc.. If, indeed, these spaces help to control disease and get more people into drug rehab programs, without negative community effects, I would support.
Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates N/A because I wasn’t in office, but I oppose the IDC. I was very much in support of Alessandra Biaggi, Jessica Ramos and John Liu.
Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBTQ community to serve as a liaison to the community? Yes.
Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? I hope to include LGBTQ representation on my staff. My goal is to have representation of different races, genders and sexual orientation.
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—I voted on the democratic line for all races.
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 criminal justice reform including the legalization of marijuana and expungement of records for low level offenses. I support legislation to expand voting rights and end voter suppression.
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 free public college and am tin support of low or no interest educational loans.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I am. I support of Pramilla Jayapal’s medicare for all bill. As a health advocate I know that healthcare is a right not a privilege. Enacting a single payer system will address the rising and unsustainable costs of medical care.
Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I unequivocally support a woman’s right to choose and a repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which unfairly targets women of low income, women of color and young women. I also support full access to contraceptives. Further, we need to address the rising maternal mortality rate which overwhelmingly affected women of color.
Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?
Yes, in fact I am rejecting all corporate PAC money.
Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Yes.
Do you oppose efforts to bring Sheldon Adelson’s Sands Casino Empire to New York?
This is also a state issue. The office I am seeking would not have oversight. As a general rule, I am a union supporter and would need to ensure that workers have the right to organize and will be paid a living wage adjusted for the geographic location prior to signing on to any new development projects. Additionally, I support the moratorium on casinos in New York.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
This is a grassroots people powered campaign. I am the only candidate pushing for serious reform to lift up the voices of all people and I am the only candidate rejecting corporate PAC money.