Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Robert Carroll for NY Assembly District 44
Candidate Name: Robert Carroll
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 44
Campaign Website: https://www.robertcarroll.nyc/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I was born and raised in the neighborhoods in my district. I am an attorney and a five term elected representative of the 44th Assembly District. I am a progressive and passionate advocate with a reputation as a creative problem solver. These skills have led to me passing 35 bills through the legislature with 25 becoming law. I have been a leader on the environment, education, transportation, election reform and criminal justice reform during my time in the assembly. I’m proud to have always run with the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club’s stamp of approval and hope to do so again this year.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have a long term relationship with LID Brooklyn and Stonewall Dems and my partnership with BILO (Brooklyn Irish LGBTQ Organization) helped bring the inclusion of the first openly LGBTQ organization to the Brooklyn Irish American Day Parade in 2019, which takes place in my district. This is something I am very proud of. I have also been proud to participate with JOLDC members in candles for clemency and other actions as well as support and participate in many of your events.
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 attended dozens of rallies of this nature, maybe more. Last year at 26 Federal Plaza I was arrested along with 9 other elected colleagues while trying to observe conditions for detained immigrants. Prior to that I held a press conference at 26 Federal Plaza calling on Governor Hochul to shut off the power at 26 Federal Plaza and introduced legislation that would insure the Governor’s authority in this regard. I will continue to do much more of this in the future.
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?
In addition to continuing my legislative pursuits and advocacy in this regard, I will also be partnering with groups like Hands of NYC and others to support the community in the fight against Trump and his pernicious agenda.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
I have supported numerous non-profits in my district over the years. One group I have helped fund via discretionary dollars over the years in the Brooklyn Arts Exchange, which has an extensive drag performance program.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
The legislature should pass NY for All, Access to Representation and a number of other measures to help protect our immigrant neighbors.
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes.
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 am a cosponsor on all of the bills in the Invest in our New York package.
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 have never opposed a homeless shelter in my district. Quite the contrary, when a 139 bed men's shelter opened in my district a number of years ago, I convened multiple community meetings with the provider and the City to ensure that concerns and questions were answered and that the residents of the shelter were welcomed to the neighborhood.
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 am a cosponsor of NY for All and have repeatedly advocated for its passage in Albany, but also in newsletters in my district and on social media. As Chair of the Libraries Committee I recently called on Governor Hochul to amend her Article VII language in the budget to include Libraries as a no-go zone for ICE.
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?
I am a long time co-sponsor and advocate for all of these bills.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes. I do.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes. I was a long time sponsor of the halt solitary bill. I participated in numerous rallies on this issue and recorded videos which advocated for that bill.
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. Yes.
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.
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?
I did not rank Andrew Cuomo and publicly called for people to rank Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani 1 and 2. I supported Zohran Mamdani in the general election.
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.
20. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
We first need to protect tenants and work to get our unhoused into safe homes. This is why I am proud to have co-sponsored the good cause eviction bill in the previous session and the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act from 2019. Additionally, I cosponsor both the Housing Access Voucher Program and the Social Housing bill. It’s critical that we take these steps and more to create truly affordable housing in New York.
21. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes. I have never taken a penny from any of these groups.
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 am a co-sponsor.
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.
24. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
I deeply respect JOLDC and have always been grateful for your support in my past elections. I appreciate JOLDC not just for your support over the years, but for your thoughtfulness and commitment to the vanguard of progressive policy, particularly around criminal justice reform.
One criminal justice issue that I have long advocated for is the repeal of the felony murder charge in New York. My bill, A8929A/S8464A,which is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Julia Salazar would be a meaningful addition to future JOLDC questionnaires. I hope you will take a deeper look at the bill and consider adding it to your criminal justice agenda going forward. Repealing felony murder liability and providing for vacatur and resentencing eligibility for those who have previously been convicted and/or charged with felony murder is the most effective way to reform New York's Penal Law to align with international norms regarding proportional sentencing and reforms being undertaken in other jurisdictions in the United States.
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. Proudly.