Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Ritchie Torres for US Congress NY-15

Candidate Name: Ritchie Torres

Office Seeking Election for: US Congress NY-15

Website: https://torres.nyc/

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. Like many residents in the South Bronx, poverty and struggle are no abstractions to me. I govern from a place of lived experience. My mother raised my twin brother, my sister, and I on her own in a public-housing project paying the rent with minimum-wage jobs, which in the 1990’s was $4.25. And while we were living in conditions of mold, lead, and leaks, with no reliable heat or hot water in the winter, the government was spending over $100 million-dollars across the street on a golf course for Donald Trump. I attended New York University, but dropped out my sophomore year, suffering from severe depression and it was the lowest point of my life. I then became a Housing Organizer for former Councilman Jimmy Vacca and was inspired to run for office. In 2013, at the age of twenty-five, I became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly L.G.B.T. person elected in the Bronx.

During my six years at the New York City Council, I passed over thirty pieces of legislation, second only to the Speaker. And in my first year in Congress, I passed the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act (H.R. 1443) by a bipartisan vote of 252-156. The bill would require financial institutions to collect data on LGBTQ-owned businesses’ access to credit and capital, and amend part of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which requires financial institutions to collect data on credit applications submitted by minority- and women-owned small businesses.

2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office? Yes.

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly). In my first year in Congress, I passed the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act (H.R. 1443) by

a bipartisan vote of 252-156. The bill would require financial institutions to collect data on LGBTQ-owned businesses’ access to credit and capital, and amend part of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which requires financial institutions to collect data on credit applications submitted by minority- and women-owned small businesses. This bill would make credit more accessible, credit laws more enforceable, and creditors more accountable. It represents a triumph of transparency in the service of economic opportunity for all, regardless of who you are and whom you love. We have a vested interest in sustaining and strengthening these businesses with equal access to credit, which is the beating heart of the American economy. I am proud to lead the effort to deliver results for LGBTQ small business owners as we continue to rebuild our economy.

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? I am a member of both Stonewall and Jim Owles. I consider Jim Owles my home political club.

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? In my time at the council I allocated funds to many groups including but not limited to: SAGE, the LGBT Center, Destination Tomorrow, and the Hendrick Martin Institute.

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? Yes.

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years? Yes. I have been either attending or marching in the Pride parade since High School.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes. My Deputy Chief of Staff and my Graphic Designer/Constituent liaison.

9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Yes.

10. 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 was arrested in 2017 when protesting policies of the Trump administration.

11. Will you advocate for legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release? Yes.

12. Will you advocate for legislation that would ensure those appearing before the New York State Parole Board are considered for release from prison based on who they are today and not exclusively based on the nature of their crime? Yes.

13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility? When was your last visit to visit incarcerated constituents? Yes. My last visit was to visit Judith Clark at Bedford.

14. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? I publicly supported clemency for Judith Alice Clark and signed a letter asking for her parole.

15. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? Yes.

16. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Yes.

17. Will you oppose any legislation that promotes the Nordic model? Yes.

18. What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City? I am in favor of: A) Granting citizenship to all undocumented immigrants the United States; and B) Granting healthcare to all undocumented immigrants.

19. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools? If a school discriminates against the LGBTQ community, then it is fair game to remove public funding from that school.

20. Do you support the establishment of safe consumption spaces? Yes.

21. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. In 2018, I was the only local elected official in the 34th Senate district not to endorse Jeff Klein despite knowing him for more than a decade. The only anti-IDC member who sought my endorsement was Jessica Ramos, whom I endorsed and for whom I campaigned. The leading consultant for my Congressional campaign is Mark Guma who was one of the leading strategists behind the anti-IDC campaigns.

22. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community? Yes

23. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff? Yes

24. Who did or do you support for office in the Democratic primary in the following races A) mayor and comptroller in 2021 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Lt. Governor 2022. I supported Andrew Yang and Corey Johnson in 2021; Hilary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020; and I have yet to weigh in for 2022.

25. 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 legislation that would abolish the financial control board and end the colonial mistreatment of Puerto Rico. I support criminal justice reform legislation and am a co- sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

26. 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 community colleges for low-income New Yorkers and loan forgiveness for low income New Yorkers.

27. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate. I support Universal Healthcare including the availability of Medicare for all. I support a version of single payer that meets the following three criteria: i) it has the buy-in of organized labor, specifically 1199; ii) it results in no net loss of healthcare funding for the Bronx; and iii) it results in no net loss of healthcare jobs in the Bronx

28. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I support a woman’s right to choose without restriction. I also support Federal funding for reproductive health services. I support the repeal of the Hyde Amendment.

29. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate? No.

30. Will you refuse money from police and corrections unions? Yes.

31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes.

32. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions? N/A

33. If you resign in the middle of your term, will you let the voters decide? Do you plan to serve your term and not send a vacancy to the county committee? I plan on serving my term.

34. Who are you supporting for Speaker/Democratic leader in 2023? There are no announced candidates for Speaker/ Democratic leader in 2023.

35. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? Yes

36. What is your position on FOSTA/SESTA, passed in 2018? Do you or will you sponsor the Safe Workers Study Act which has been introduced by Elizabeth Warren and co- sponsored by Reps. Barbara Lee and Ron Wyden and a host of other sponsors including Bernie Sanders. I support the Safe Workers Study Act.

37. Do you support the class-wide scheduling of Fentanyl-related substances, which groups like Human Rights Watch have argued would worsen pretrial detention, mass incarceration, and racial disparities? No.

38. Do you support the Green New Deal? Yes.

39. President Biden has not granted a single pardon or commutation. When have you publicly demanded that Biden do more on this issue? Will you pledge to publicly speak out about this in 2022? I will speak out publicly on the issue.

40. Do you commit to not supporting Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema? Will you consider supporting a primary opponent? I will not support Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema.

41. Some members of congress indicate they will only support incumbents regardless of their politics and regardless of who is presenting them a primary. Are you one of them? I am not one of them.