Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Pia Rahman for NY Assembly District 37
Candidate Name: Pia Rahman
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 37
Campaign Website: https://www.piarahman.com/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I am a lifelong New Yorker, born to Bangladeshi immigrant parents. I’ve lived across nearly every borough and upstate, and New York State has always been my home. During the pandemic, I worked as a dietitian nutritionist in a COVID-only hospital, which deepened my commitment to community care and collective action. I later organized with Team AOC Food Pantry and served as a staffer for Queens elected officials.
I now serve on Community Board 2 and am running to fight for equitable healthcare, affordable housing, quality education, and fair wages—guided by equity, accountability, and solidarity.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
School: I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Chelsea, a campus that long served as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community before that idea entered broader national conversation. Being surrounded by such a welcoming, creative environment shaped how I see the world and what inclusive spaces can make possible.
Healthcare: As a clinician, I have also seen firsthand the elevated risks of eating disorders and body image concerns among LGBTQ+ individuals. I have counseled LGBTQ+ youth navigating both identity and recovery, which has reinforced my commitment to a healthcare system rooted in dignity, affirmation, and respect for every patient. I also rallied with healthcare workers for gender-affirming healthcare.
Supporting Local Businesses: I also continue to march every year in solidarity at the Queens Pride Parade and Sunnyside Pride, which are vital to the visibility, joy, and wellbeing of our community. And I carry deep appreciation for LGBTQ+ small businesses in Chelsea and across the city—spaces that once felt abundant and now face increasing pressure and decline. I am committed to protecting and investing in these cultural and economic hubs so that future generations can experience the same sense of belonging and safety.
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’ve stood with communities across New York during some of the most defining moments of the past few years. I attended press conferences opposing the closure of Planned Parenthood sites in New York City, joined rallies against ICE policies, and supported the movement for racial justice during the Black Lives Matter protests. In my organizing work, I helped mobilize voters in Queens and the Bronx to support Prop 1, contributing to some of the highest turnout numbers in the state. Those experiences reinforced my belief that real change happens when communities come together, organize, and make their voices heard.
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?
I believe New York has a responsibility to serve as a firewall against policies that target women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and marginalized communities. My approach to combating the Trump agenda is rooted in organizing, coalition building, and advancing strong state-level protections that safeguard civil rights and access to essential services.
I will fight to protect reproductive rights, expand access to healthcare, defend gender-affirming care, and strengthen anti-discrimination protections in housing, employment, and education. I also strongly support policies like NY4All, expanded immigrant legal defense funding, and stronger sanctuary protections to ensure immigrant communities can live safely without fear of detention or family separation.
Organizing is equally important. I plan to work closely with grassroots organizations, labor unions, advocacy groups, and community leaders to mobilize communities around shared goals and ensure people know their rights and how to access resources. I also believe in investing in multilingual outreach, voter engagement, and political education so communities most impacted by harmful federal policies are empowered to participate fully in civic life.
Combating extremism also means addressing the economic insecurity that allows division and fear to grow. I will continue advocating for affordable housing, quality public education, good union jobs, and accessible healthcare so working families have real stability and opportunity.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No. I strongly support LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom, and I would not seek endorsements from individuals whose public positions are fundamentally opposed to the dignity, equality, and bodily autonomy of these communities.
My campaign is grounded in the belief that all people deserve the right to live safely, access healthcare, and make personal decisions about their own lives without discrimination or political interference. That includes protecting access to abortion care, defending gender-affirming healthcare, and ensuring LGBTQ+ people are protected in schools, workplaces, housing, and public life.
I believe endorsements reflect values and priorities, and I want my campaign to be aligned with organizations and individuals who are committed to equity, inclusion, and human rights. While I believe in engaging with people across different perspectives, I will not compromise on fundamental civil rights and protections for marginalized communities.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
I unequivocally support access to safe and legal abortion. Abortions are a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of personal autonomy. Decisions about pregnancy are deeply personal and should be made by individuals, in consultation with their healthcare providers and families. These choices should not be dictated by government officials seeking to control the bodies of those with uteruses. Protecting access to abortion is about safeguarding bodily autonomy, dignity, and the ability to determine one’s own future.
Access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is also directly tied to economic security and equality. When people can make their own decisions about if and when to have children, they are better able to pursue education, build careers, support their families, and participate fully in civic life. Restrictions on abortion disproportionately harm low-income individuals and marginalized communities, deepening existing inequities.
We must not only defend the right to abortion, but also ensure that it is meaningfully accessible. This means making them affordable, geographically available, and free from unnecessary barriers. We must protect providers, expand access where gaps exist, and resist efforts to undermine reproductive healthcare through backdoor restrictions.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
I have not had the chance to host or fund a drag story hour in the district. I would, however, welcome the opportunity to change that.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
I will work to strengthen protections for immigrants by supporting policies that ensure New York remains a welcoming and safe place for all families, regardless of immigration status. I strongly support the passage of NY4All to limit cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration enforcement and to prevent immigrant communities from being targeted through local resources.
I also support expanding funding for immigrant legal defense programs, language access services, and community-based organizations that help families navigate housing, healthcare, education, and the legal system. Protecting immigrant New Yorkers also means ensuring access to healthcare, workers’ rights protections, and safe reporting mechanisms for victims of crime or labor exploitation without fear of deportation.
As an elected official, I would work closely with advocates, labor unions, faith leaders, and immigrant-led organizations to strengthen sanctuary protections and push back against policies that separate families or create fear in our communities. New York’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and I believe our laws and institutions should reflect that by protecting the dignity, safety, and rights of all residents.
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes, I support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State. At a time when transgender people across the country are facing increasing attacks on their healthcare, civil rights, and personal safety, New York has a responsibility to protect the dignity and freedom of all residents.
I support strengthening legal protections for transgender individuals and ensuring that people seeking gender affirming healthcare can safely access care in New York without fear of criminalization, harassment, or political interference from other states. I also support protections for healthcare providers, patients, and families who may be targeted under restrictive laws elsewhere.
Beyond healthcare protections, being a sanctuary state also means ensuring transgender New Yorkers have equal access to housing, employment, education, and public services free from discrimination. I support stronger anti-discrimination enforcement, mental health resources, and support services for LGBTQ+ youth and adults.
Transgender people deserve safety, autonomy, dignity, and the freedom to live openly and authentically. New York should continue to lead by protecting those rights and standing firmly against efforts to roll them back.
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 would support legislation that raises taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and large corporations to ensure we can fund the public services and investments our communities need. I believe everyone should pay their fair share, and that includes ensuring the ultra-wealthy are taxed in proportion to their wealth—not just their income.
For too long, working families have carried a disproportionate share of the burden while billionaires and major corporations benefit from loopholes and tax structures that allow them to accumulate enormous wealth without contributing equitably to the systems that make that wealth possible. Meanwhile, communities across New York continue to struggle with underfunded schools, rising housing costs, strained public healthcare systems, aging infrastructure, and inadequate social services.
I support a more progressive tax structure that asks those with the greatest resources to contribute more so we can invest in affordable housing, public education, healthcare, transit, climate resilience, childcare, and other essential services. I also support closing corporate tax loopholes and ensuring large corporations are held accountable for paying what they owe.
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 the government has a responsibility to protect and support the most vulnerable members of our communities, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers. My approach is rooted in dignity, compassion, and long-term solutions that address the root causes of housing insecurity and displacement. That means investing in affordable housing, supportive housing, mental health services, healthcare access, workforce development, and legal support services so people are not left without stability or opportunity.
I also believe asylum seekers and immigrant families deserve humane treatment, safe shelter, language access, and pathways to fully participate in community life. New York has always been strengthened by immigrants, and we must respond to humanitarian challenges with coordination, investment, and compassion.
I have not opposed shelters in my district. I believe shelters and supportive housing are necessary parts of addressing homelessness, especially when paired with strong services and community engagement. At the same time, I believe we must move beyond simply relying on emergency shelter systems and focus on creating permanent affordable housing and preventative policies that reduce homelessness in the first place.
As an elected official, I would work to ensure vulnerable New Yorkers are treated with dignity and that communities receive the resources necessary to support both residents and those seeking refuge and stability.
12. Will you sponsor and support legislation which will ensure that state and local resources are not used look 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 strongly support the New York for All Act and would sponsor and advocate for legislation that ensures state and local resources are not used to facilitate federal immigration enforcement. No New Yorker should fear that accessing healthcare, education, housing, or other essential services could put them or their family members at risk of detention or deportation.
NY4All would create clear, statewide standards that limit the involvement of local and state agencies in federal immigration enforcement, ensuring that public resources are used to serve communities. We should not be using these public services to facilitate deportations.
Strengthening these protections is essential to building trust between immigrant communities and government institutions. When people fear that interacting with public agencies could expose them to ICE, they are less likely to seek healthcare, report crimes, or access essential services, which ultimately harms public safety and public health for everyone.
In addition to supporting NY4All, I would advocate for policies that protect sensitive locations like hospitals, schools, and courthouses from immigration enforcement, expand funding for immigrant legal defense programs, and ensure strong language access so that all residents can navigate public systems safely. I would also push for clear oversight and accountability measures to prevent unlawful collaboration or information-sharing with federal immigration authorities.
My commitment is to ensure that New York remains a place where all people can live with dignity, safety, and access to opportunity. Strengthening protections against ICE cooperation is a necessary part of that vision, and I will work alongside community organizations, advocates, and colleagues in government to make it a reality.
As an elected official, I would work closely with immigrant-led organizations, advocates, labor unions, and impacted communities to advance and defend policies that uphold New York’s values as a welcoming and inclusive state.
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 of these pieces of legislation because I believe New York’s criminal legal system should prioritize rehabilitation, fairness, accountability, and public safety and not solely punishment. Our current sentencing and parole systems too often rely on outdated policies that contribute to mass incarceration, racial disparities, and the permanent separation of families and communities.
I support the Second Look Act because people are capable of growth and transformation, and courts should have the ability to reconsider excessive sentences in light of rehabilitation, evolving legal standards, and changed circumstances. I support the Earned Time Act because incentivizing education, treatment, and personal development strengthens rehabilitation and helps people successfully reenter society.
I also support the Marvin Mayfield Act because mandatory minimum sentences remove judicial discretion and frequently produce unjust outcomes that fail to account for the specifics of individual cases. Judges should be able to consider the full context when determining sentences.
Finally, I support Elder Parole because older incarcerated individuals who have served significant time often pose little public safety risk, and they deserve a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate rehabilitation before the parole board.
True public safety comes from reducing recidivism, investing in communities, and creating a justice system rooted in humanity, accountability, and second chances.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes, I oppose the death penalty. I believe it is a fundamentally flawed and irreversible form of punishment that carries the risk of wrongful convictions and disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. No justice system is infallible, and the possibility of executing an innocent person is unacceptable.
Beyond that, the death penalty has not been shown to be a more effective deterrent to crime than life imprisonment, and it diverts resources away from prevention, rehabilitation, and victim support services that can do more to strengthen public safety in the long term.
I support a justice system that prioritizes accountability while also allowing for rehabilitation, fairness, and human dignity. Life without parole and other sentencing alternatives can ensure public safety without resorting to irreversible punishment.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
I support significantly restricting and ultimately moving toward ending the use of solitary confinement, particularly for prolonged periods and for vulnerable populations such as young people, individuals with mental health conditions, and people with disabilities. Extensive research has shown that prolonged isolation can cause severe psychological harm and does not improve safety or rehabilitation outcomes.
At the same time, I recognize that correctional facilities need tools to maintain safety, so any reforms should focus on developing humane alternatives that prioritize mental health supports, and staffing resources. This includes expanding crisis intervention programs, increasing access to mental health care within facilities, and using structured, therapeutic interventions instead of isolation.
My goal is a correctional system that upholds human dignity while also ensuring safety for both incarcerated individuals and staff.
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 commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated. I believe it is essential for elected officials to remain accountable to all members of their communities, including those who are incarcerated and often excluded from political visibility and public decision-making. Regular visits provide an opportunity to hear directly from incarcerated individuals about conditions, barriers to rehabilitation, access to services, and the challenges they face in reentry planning. This feedback is critical for shaping more effective, humane, and evidence-based criminal justice policy.
I also support working to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, meaningful rehabilitation, and a sustained commitment to positive change, particularly when they are no longer a threat to public safety. When individuals engage in education, treatment, skill-building, and restorative efforts over time, those efforts should be recognized and considered in parole decisions, clemency applications, and sentencing reviews.
I support policies such as expanded parole opportunities,, and stronger reentry support systems that allow people to safely return to their communities. Successful reentry depends on access to housing, healthcare, employment, and family support, and I would advocate for investments in these areas to reduce recidivism and strengthen public safety.
Ultimately, I believe public safety is enhanced when people are given genuine pathways to rehabilitation and reintegration, and when the system recognizes growth, accountability, and transformation.
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?
Absolutely to both!
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?
Ranking Andrew Cuomo in the primary was never even a consideration for me. In the 2025 Democratic primary, I supported the Working Families Party slate. In the general election, I supported Zohran Mamdani.
I had confidence in Zohran’s leadership from my time working on his Assembly campaign. He has an incredible work ethic — especially his stamina on the campaign trail and the genuine joy he brings to talking with voters in the field.
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 support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge under the condition that it is brought back to its former name, Queensboro Bridge. With the other boroughs having bridges named after them, its high time we get ours back.
20. Do you support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority?
Yes, I support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority
21. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
A comprehensive legislative remedy to expand the production of low- and moderate-income housing in New York must address both supply constraints and affordability requirements together. I support a major expansion of state incentives and mandates to ensure every region contributes to meeting housing needs, rather than concentrating affordable housing only in a few communities.
This includes strengthening and expanding inclusionary housing requirements so that new developments include permanently affordable units, increasing state funding for public and social housing construction, and streamlining approval processes for projects that meet affordability thresholds. At the same time, the state should provide financing tools, such as low-interest bonds, tax incentives, and subsidies, to support the construction of housing targeted to working families, seniors, and extremely low-income residents.
I also support reforms that reduce barriers to building, including updating outdated zoning restrictions where appropriate, encouraging transit-oriented development, and ensuring municipalities cannot block needed affordable housing through exclusionary practices. Strong tenant protections must accompany any production strategy so that existing residents are not displaced as new housing is built.
Finally, I believe the state should treat housing as essential infrastructure, on par with transportation and energy, requiring sustained public investment and long-term planning to meet demand and ensure affordability across all income levels.
22. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry? Yes
From the beginning I have ran a grassroots operation. All the money that I have raised has come from local donations. I have no intention of EVER accepting donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry. I WILL NOT give up on my morals and the morals of my team and constituents.
23. 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).
I support decriminalizing consensual commercial sex work between adults, as proposed in Cecilia’s Act for Rights in the Sex Trades. Criminal penalties for consensual adult conduct do not improve safety and instead often push workers further into unsafe conditions, increase vulnerability to exploitation, and discourage access to healthcare, housing, and legal protections.
Decriminalization should be paired with a strong public health and human rights framework that prioritizes safety, dignity, and access to services. That includes ensuring access to healthcare, harm reduction services, housing support, and labor protections, as well as strengthening enforcement against trafficking, coercion, and exploitation.
At the same time, it is essential that any policy reform is centered on the voices and leadership of people directly impacted, including sex workers and advocacy organizations. The goal should be to reduce harm, improve safety, and ensure that all individuals have access to protections under the law without fear of criminalization for consensual adult activity.
24. 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?
I support teaching students about major recent historical events, including the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, as part of a broader civic education curriculum. This kind of instruction is important for helping students understand how democratic institutions function, how they can be challenged, and why the peaceful transfer of power is a core principle of American democracy.
At a time when misinformation and polarization are widespread, strong civic education is essential. Teaching about events like January 6 can help students better understand the importance of democratic norms, constitutional processes, and civic responsibility, while also encouraging informed and respectful dialogue in the classroom.
25. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
It would be an honor to have your endorsement and I would pledge to meet to help push legislative priorities.
26. 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 intend to identify Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials.