Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Sarah Blas for NY Senate District 23

Candidate Name: Sarah Blas

Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 23

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.

I grew up inheriting a legacy of community stewardship from my late grandfather John B. Elliot, who was a dogged advocate who served community members experiencing HIV/AIDs during the height of the AIDs epidemic in the 1980s. This was a time where simply speaking the words was deeply controversial. I spent my youth building community gardens and serving food in pantries as a means of increasing food justice with my Grandmother Rev. Susie Elliot, this is where I learned to be unafraid and where I fell in love with community stewardship.

I’ve spent nearly my entire life in NY-11. I’m the only candidate who considers both sides of the Verrazano home. I gave birth to each of my 6 children in Brooklyn. I am running for office because when I look around I don’t see elected officials that look like me, there are very few who like me: are queer, disabled, single parents, or who are a minority owned woman business owner.

I know that no one will fight harder for public health, education, or safer communities than I will. Legislation should be crafted by those who have been most impacted by the outcomes of that legislation. I know that for me, legislation will be more than just a piece of paper. It is the future of my children and holds the key to the legacy they will lead in NY-11.

2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?

I have never made any official endorsements of any candidate.

3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?

n/a

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?

The Pride Center

Alice Austen House

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to?

I have been able to work with LGBTQ+ organizations to distribute mutual aid, but have not managed a budget where I allocated funds directly.

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

Yes! I am an openly bisexual woman, and I am proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Which marches and for approximately how many years?

I have participated in pride parades over the years and am a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve attended at least a dozen.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?

Yes and yes.

9. If you receive the Jim Owles 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 reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?

Too many to list, but I will do my best:

Pride Run: Participant/ Organizer

Pro Choice Rally: Organizer

I’m a DEI consultant and I work with the Pride Center

Staten Island Women Who March - I’m the Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion

I’ve also supported unionizing workers (including at Amazon)

11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate.

No, I have not.

12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term?

N/A

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 I do, it is very important to me to hear the opinions of all who reside in NY-11.

14. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?

No, I have not

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

With the new Fair Chance Forward hiring legislation, I am proud to provide training to the HR staff to promote equitable hiring practices.

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

I would seek the guidance and opinions of my constituents before making an official statement on this issue. Public health and women’s rights are priorities for the campaign, and I know they are at the forefront of my constituent’s consciousness going into this election.

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

I would seek the guidance and opinions of my constituents before making an official statement on this issue.

18. What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?

19. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?

At this time, I do not want to commit to introducing legislation on this matter without knowing more on the topic and without hearing what the constituents of NY-11 think and how they feel about legislation of this nature.

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

As a candidate, I have never endorsed any member of the IDC.

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

It is a priority to hire a diverse staff that represents the demograph of NY-11 in all facets.

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 2020 and 2024 C) Governor and Lt. Governor 2022

A – I did not support any candidate publicly

B – Democratic values are of the utmost importance, and we are closely monitoring the Presidential election. I do not discuss who I publicly support as I do not want to influence the opinions of our constituents in NY-11. But you can count on me to vote blue!

C – In 2018, Cynthia Nixon, In 2021, Letitia James and Ana Maria Archila

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 honor the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous Peoples within the continental US and internationally, I would seek to expand funding for educational programs to educate children on anti-racism, and would work to create reentry and restorative justice programs within the confines of the justice system.

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?

This is something I think about almost every day. As a mother of six children, I worry about the impact of shouldering such steep student loan debt, and having to carry that debt around with them for a majority of their adult lives. I would review any legislation on this matter that comes across my desk and would look to my constituents before voting in support of such legislation as it would impact not only all of NY-11, but all who reside in the United States of America and future generations.

27. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.

Yes, as a disabled Mother with disabled children, I support Medicare for All.

28. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.

Access to contraceptives should be readily available from a pharmacist to any adult who seeks them. I believe that abortion care should be a human right. Whether or not we agree with the concept of having an abortion, we should not infrindge on the civil liberties of others and their desire to access abortion services. It’s important that we have a clear understanding of reproductive rights that includes everything from prenal services and OBGYN care to culturally competent birth care.

29. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?

Yes

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?

As a bisexual New Yorker, the support of the Jim Owles Club means a lot to me. I look forward to what we can accomplish together, and to continue to dismantl the systems of oppression queer New Yorkers face.

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 will not resign in the middle of my term. I will serve my term.

34. Who are you supporting for Speaker/ Democratic leader in 2024?

I am focused on my winning my race and I have not determined a position on this yet.

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?

Although this initiative is outside of NY-11, I would reach out to local officials for their guidance on this matter.

36. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?

While this is not a top priority for me in Congress, I think in the event that the statue in Columbus Circle is replaced, that it would need to be replaced with one that honors the heritage of our Italian American AND Indiginous ancestors. I know how deeply meaningful this statue is to Staten Islanders and don’t want to see that pride within my follow community members discouraged.

37. 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 Act.

38. 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?

I do not support this. I believe the best way to end the overdose epidemic is by reducing the harm connected to illicit drug use through decriminalization combined with expanding funding for mental health, substance use disorder recovery, access to evidence-based co-occurring disorder treatment, harm reduction, and recovery programs.

39. Do you support the Green New Deal?

Yes

40. 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 2024?

N/A

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?

No, I am not.