Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Pierina Sanchez for City Council District 14
Candidate Name: Pierina Sanchez
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 14
Campaign Website: https://pierinasanchez.nyc/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
My family emigrated from the Dominican Republic in search of a better life in the late 1970s and we found it here in the Bronx. I grew up watching my family work hard, as taxi drivers, janitors, and street vendors – like my grandpa who sold oranges on a street corner into his 90s. I learned in our schools, played in our streets, and studied in our libraries. So when I walk around this community, I see my family - young women with children are my mother with my brothers and I. Street vendors on Fordham Road and 183rd are my grandfather and uncles.
Though we faced trials, this community raised me and made me who I have become through distinct opportunities that invested in my Brown, first-generation, immigrant family.
As Council Member, this upbringing has shaped and defined how I govern. I am beyond proud of the work that I have accomplished for my community- from fighting alongside district 14 residents to stop unjust evictions, to expanding after school programs to every school building in the district, to securing $220 million for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, and so much more, my vision is to continue fighting for systemic change with and for my community.
2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?
I am immensely proud of my office’s work to date serving the LGBTQ+ community both within my district and across the city. Securing funding for an organization as important to the Bronx LGBTQ+ community as Destination Tomorrow for the first time, and working together with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Caribbean Equality Project, Housing Works, Destination Tomorrow, Ali, Forney Center, the Latino Commission on AIDS and Black Health to pass Local law 84 of 2024, which represents a $2M investment to expand rapid STI testing across the city-- are among my most important achievements in office thus far. Prior to taking office, I served as the Vice President of the Board of Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan, home to Trinity Place Shelter, which provides housing for trans youth of color. I also make a monthly donation to support the work there. We are an affirming congregation that welcomes all and I help with our advocacy work. I have also supported LGBTQ+ youth organizations in my community like Princess Janea Place in the Bronx, and have raised awareness for their work. Finally, I support my colleagues on the NYC Council’s LGBTQ+ caucus, including Erik Bottcher, Tiffany Caban, Crystal Hudson, and Chi Ossé.
3. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?
Yes.
4. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump?
In addition to what I discussed in my previous answer, other legislation I have co-sponsored supporting the LGBTQ+ community includes a bill to introduce an
appeals process for incarcerated LGBTQ+ individuals that make specific housing requests based on their LGBTQ+ identity, and add protections for those individuals when they are deemed at risk of victimization. Additionally, a bill to establish a commission for LGBTQ+ older adults, legislation to appoint a drag laureate to act as an ambassador to local businesses and LGBTQ+ spaces, and a resolution to add a Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgender Day of Visibility to the city calendar.
5. In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
I have taken the hard lessons of the 2024 election to heart. The Democratic Party must do more to engage with and secure wins for people disaffected by the political process. My community represents many of these groups, including working class people, people of color, immigrants, and oppressed people across the spectrum. For my part, my plan is to continue my grassroots outreach to my community that has already activated so many for community advocacy and civic action through community events, food distributions, and advocacy for the Kingsbridge Armory that provide essential services. I am committed to building community cohesion and bringing these groups into the political process, and will continue to push our county and state parties to do more outreach and be more transparent locally, while demanding more resources from the national party.
6. Will you seek or accept endorsements of individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, such as Ruben Diaz Sr., Fernando Cabrera or Erick Salgado? Will you pledge to denounce their homophobia and anti-choice positions in the event you receive an endorsement from such individuals?
I believe that those who threaten the human rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community, including my predecessor and primary opponent Fernando Cabrera, are unqualified from holding elected office. Me and my campaign team are working hard every day to ensure my district’s LGBTQ+ constituents continue to have an advocate fighting for them in City Hall. I will never accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights.
7. In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
I have taken the hard lessons of the 2024 election to heart. The Democratic Party must do more to engage with and secure wins for people disaffected by the political process. My community represents many of these groups, including working class people, people of color, immigrants, and oppressed people across the spectrum. For my part, my plan is to continue my grassroots outreach to my community that has already activated so many for community advocacy and civic action through community events, food distributions, and advocacy for the Kingsbridge Armory that provide essential services. I am committed to building community cohesion and bringing these groups into the political process, and will continue to push our county and state parties to do more outreach and be more transparent locally, while demanding more resources from the national party.
8. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes, unequivocally.
9. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
I support LGBTQ+ affirming organizations that run a range of events. I am proud of the legislation and initiatives I have fought for in support of our City’s LGBTQ+ community.
10. What proposals will do you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?
The attacks that our City’s immigrant communities are facing today at all levels of government are unprecedented. New York City’s sanctuary laws are clear and have been on the books for over 40 years, and our current Mayor’s self-interested attempts to undermine these laws are some of the most abhorrent actions I have ever seen in all my years in city politics.
As the Council Member representing a district with one of the highest concentrations of foreign born residents in the city, and as the proud daughter of immigrants myself, I understand my responsibility to all my district’s immigrant residents during these troubling times very well. That is why I have partnered with CUNY Citizenship Now, ActionNYC, and other legal service providers programs to deliver immigration legal services directly to my constituents in my office and in our neighborhoods, and am committed to expanding such programs. I have also partnered with providers of other types of services to increase enrollment in programs like NYC Care that provide healthcare access for the uninsured,
anti-eviction programs including for those without congressionally-imposed bars on serving most undocumented immigrants, food programs available to all, small business assistance, employment help, worker protections, financial empowerment, and other services needed. As Council Member, I will continue to fiercely advocate for the Council to support or directly legally challenge any potential breaches of our sanctuary city laws.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
The City’s housing crisis is acutely experienced in our district - nearly 70% of households here are housing cost burdened, vs. 55% citywide. Our community members are at heightened risk of displacement - only 6% of households own the home in which they live, vs. 33% citywide. The housing affordability crisis and displacement risk we experience is rooted in the deep inequalities our Bronx community knows too well. That’s why as Council Member and Chair of the Housing and Building Committee, I am sponsoring and moving legislation to create more deeply affordable, permanent, and supportive housing. I am also championing legislation, like the Housing Rescue and Resident Protection Act (Int. 1063) and the Billingsley Terrace Structural Integrity Act (Local Law 79 of 2024), to give our city agencies the tools they need to go after bad landlords who are keeping tens of thousands of units in disrepair. If reelected I will continue to advocate for the production and preservation of both permanent housing that is affordable to those who need it most, and shelters for those who are most in need.
12. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2970, introduced by Council Member Shahana Hanif? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text urges the NYS Legislature to pass the New York for All Act, which would ensure state and local resources are not used to facilitate federal immigration enforcement. If not, please explain.
Yes, I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation.
13. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2917, introduced by Council Member Crystal Hudson? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text endorses the Access to Representation Act, which would establish a “universal right to counsel” for indigent New Yorkers who are subject to removal proceedings under federal immigration law. If not, please explain.
Yes, I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation.
14. Will you join our efforts to pass legislation mandating 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? The legislation is commonly known as the New York Elder Parole Bill.
Yes.
15. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
16. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
17. 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 always fought for a restorative approach to our city’s justice system, and will continue to do so if reelected.
18. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?
Yes, I will always fight for a restorative model of justice.
19. 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?
I am beyond proud of my office communications and casework teams’ work to support our constituents and would happily submit such a newsletter to the club.
20. . Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?
As a first time candidate in 2021, I did not support any Mayoral candidate in the 2021 Democratic primary election.
21. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?
The current Mayors’ actions and collaboration with the President have shaken our city’s institutions to their core and I believe that we need new leadership. I can support mayoral candidates who offer forward thinking and progressive alternatives to the corruption and recklessness that we are currently faced with. .
22. Do you support the renaming of the Ed Koch bridge and will you work towards the renaming including sponsoring such legislation?
Yes.
23. What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for “City of Yes”? If not, please explain.
As Chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee, I am proud to have co-led my colleagues to ensure “City of Yes” became law with a complementary set of affordable housing investments totalling $5B in what the Council called “City for All.” In addition to this landmark accomplishment, I am proud to have consistently fought to protect rent stabilization year after year, passing legislation that would continue the rent stabilization law of 1969. I have also consistently fought alongside my fellow community members to win repairs, stop evictions and apply for more stable housing opportunities, while also approving hundreds of new affordable units to be built across the district.
24. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?
As Council Member and Chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee, I have always fought for short-term housing for the homeless, asylum seekers and those who need it most. This includes fighting for greater funding for safe haven shelters, stabilization beds, and drop-in centers that are accessible and safe for anyone in need of temporary housing.
25. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?
Since taking office in 2022, I have had a consistent record of supporting, fighting for, and introducing progressive legislation and initiatives while resisting any efforts that would hurt our city’s oppressed communities. If reelected I will continue this record of delivering results for my district and citywide.
26. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
I am facing a very competitive electoral challenge from my predecessor, an ally of the current mayor who has been vocally anti-LGBTQ+. I would be grateful to have the club’s support in this fight to ensure my district continues to have an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in City Hall.
27. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?
Not at this time.