Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Scott Stringer for NYC Mayor

Candidate Name: Scott Stringer

Office Seeking Election for: NYC Mayor

Campaign Website: https://scottstringernyc.com/

1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?

I’m a lifelong New Yorker, born and raised in Washington Heights, and I have dedicated my career to fighting for New York City’s vulnerable populations and hardworking families. I first held elective office as a State Assemblymember, where I championed tenant protections, LGBTQ+ rights, and government reform. As Manhattan Borough President, I led efforts to improve transportation, public housing, and environmental sustainability. And as New York City Comptroller, I safeguarded the city’s finances, held agencies accountable, and fought to divest from fossil fuels while securing billions for New Yorkers through audits and investigations. I’m running for mayor because New York needs leadership that understands the challenges working people face and has the experience to make the city government work for them right now. We need a mayor who will fight for good jobs, safe streets, affordable housing, and a city that actually works for all New Yorkers—and I am dedicated to doing just that.

2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?

I have organized, marched, and protested with many LGBTQ+ organizations and leaders over the years — including the Jim Owles Club, Stonewall, and the Lambda Independent Democrats. I have consulted with LGBTQ+ non-profits and organizations on many of my policy recommendations, including around corporate government and anti-discrimination as Comptroller.

I have endorsed many LGBTQ+ candidates throughout my career. Assemblymembers Daniel O'Connell and Deborah Glick, State Senator Brad Hoylman, Tiffany Caban for Queens Distrct Attorney and many more.. I remember when I was 13 years old, I got a knock on my door from Ken Sherrill for District Leader – New York City’s first openly gay official, and a personal inspiration.

3. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?

Yes, with the exception of materials that were printed prior to the endorsement.

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?

As Comptroller, I have attended dozens of press conferences, demonstrations, rallies, and protests to support progressive issues and resist the damages of the Trump administration. Some examples include:

Black Lives Matter protests
Stop the Muslim Ban
Standing up against SB 6 and other anti-Trans laws
Rallies to denounce anti-LGBTQ+ hate and other acts of bigotry and violence
Joined advocates to rally to protect Title X funding, and make New York City the first in the nation to directly fund abortion care
Rallied with advocates and elected officials against police abuse, to dismantle the private prison industry, and legalize marijuana

Most recently, I attended the Hands-Off Demonstrations protesting Elon Musk’s outsized influence in the Trump Administration.

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?

The inaction of the current mayoral administration in the face of targeted attacks from the Oval Office is inexcusable. As mayor, I will stand up and make it clear that there is no place for such hate in this city. We must first fortify the city as best we can against the cuts being threatened by the Trump Administration. I will establish the “Very Rainy Day Fund,” a standing billion-dollar fund that is designed to insulate New York City from budgetary attacks on the city, ensuring our essential services and infrastructure can operate regardless of federal funding.

Additionally, I will work with community advocacy groups and build a coalition to protect the initiatives and services that make our city a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

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 am not seeking endorsements from individuals who are in direct conflict with the LGBTQ+ community and do not support reproductive rights, and would not accept their endorsement should it be offered. Regardless of endorsement, I denounce all homophobia and anti-choice rhetoric. If this city wants to be the greatest on the planet again this century, it must be the most inclusive. Homophobia and restrictions against one’s bodily autonomy have no place here.

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?

The inaction of the current mayoral administration in the face of targeted attacks from the Oval Office is inexcusable. As mayor, I will stand up and make it clear that there is no place for such hate in this city. We must first fortify the city as best we can. I will establish the “Very Rainy Day Fund,” a standing billion-dollar fund that is designed to insulate New York City from budgetary attacks on the city, ensuring our essential services and infrastructure can operate regardless of federal funding.

8. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?

Yes. Having trained and supported medical professionals who provide accessible reproductive health care is key, and I will continue to stand up for providers and patients as I have done throughout my entire career. In 2019, as City Comptroller, I partnered with the National Institute of Reproductive Health Action Fund and called upon New York City to be the first city in the nation to directly fund abortion care. My commitment is firm; as mayor, my office will continue to increase abortion access and fight abortion stigma through continued funding for these services alongside education programs.

9. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?

As Comptroller, I expressed strong support for Drag Story Hours, praising the program as an amazing way to teach individuality, empathy, and acceptance. Often, the story hours facilitated discussions among young students about social and emotional growth and topics such as

self-acceptance and embracing diversity. At their core, they are teaching children that it's okay to be different and that there's no such thing as a “girl thing” or a “boy thing.” Although I have not personally hosted a Drag Story Hour in my community, my support is unwavering.

10. What proposals will do you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?

Trump’s immigration crackdown is an embarrassment that unjustly targets New Yorkers. When I am mayor, NYC will double down on sanctuary protections, ensuring no city agency helps ICE or federal law enforcement carry out political persecution. New York has enacted multiple laws that protect immigrants and ensure access to essential services regardless of their legal status. However, the trust between the public, specifically the immigrant communities, and their government has been rapidly eroding in the face of current events. I intend to rebuild that trust by making it clear that New Yorkers control New York, not the federal government. ICE will not be able to take advantage of the NYPD and will not undermine our city’s authority and

autonomy. By clearly reiterating and supporting public education efforts, I foresee that the trust in local protections will encourage all who need medical care to seek it.

11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?

During my time as the Comptroller, I regularly scrutinized and rejected contracts for proposed homeless shelters in the city. Many of these proposals to build permanent shelters were plagued with fire code violations, were on sites with rodent infestations, and did not include necessities like kitchen facilities. At the time, I called for community organizations, advocacy groups, and elected officials to step in and provide input into the planning process. But I continued to scrutinize and ensure that every shelter I approved met appropriate sanitation, health, and safety standards and meaningfully moved the city closer to ending homelessness.

My Quality of Life Plan is designed to meet New Yorkers where they are. We will lead with compassion by integrating social services with our public safety infrastructure, ensuring that police officers receive specialized training and are paired with mental health professionals skilled in trauma-informed care, so people can receive the support they need rather than just enforcement. We will expand B-HEARD to provide 24/7 service throughout all five boroughs. And we will adopt a housing first model, prioritizing stable housing paired with comprehensive services to address the chronic homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse problems plaguing New Yorkers.

These services are only as good as the city agencies that provide them, which is why I will establish a Deputy Mayor for Quality of Life who will be responsible for facilitating a unified 311/911 system, whole government oversight, enhanced accountability, community engagement, and being the nucleus for the QualitySTAT program. QualitySTAT will facilitate a conversation between the people and the city government, creating systems for them to levy complaints and reports against specific agencies and actors, letting us know what is and isn’t working. When the patrol guide is not being followed, we will know and create a plan to adjust the way city employees act while creating specialized oversight infrastructure to track the progress of change. I am committed to making the city work for the people once again. The systemic injustices and discriminatory practices against the city’s most vulnerable and those who rely most upon our city’s institutions persist despite the progress that’s been made will end under the Stringer administration.

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.

I am not an incumbent, but as Mayor, I would be honored to put my support behind Resolution 2970. New York City is a sanctuary city. Our resources should never go towards targeting residents who pose no threat to public safety at the whim of the federal government.

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.

Everyone deserves their day in court, and no law-abiding residents of New York City should be subject to unlawful persecution from our federal government. As mayor, I would be proud to support a universal right to counsel as outlined in Resolution 2917.

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.

Parole reform and the release of our elders is long overdue. As Comptroller, I advocated for the passage of the Elder Parole Bill in New York State. Older inmates have a significantly lower likelihood of reoffending and death by incarceration does not represent a fair judicial system.

15. Do you oppose the death penalty?

Yes, I oppose the death penalty.

16. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?

Yes, I have been a vocal advocate for ending solitary confinement in NYC jails. I testified to the Board of Corrections as Comptroller arguing that solitary confinement is torture and has no place in this city. Every day that a person is held in isolation inflicts harm and lasting trauma, which fundamentally jeopardizes the rehabilitation process.

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. Those who do not pose a threat to public safety should not be locked up and separated from the resources they need to live and heal. We must address the root cause of criminal behavior, not just punish it.

18. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?

Yes, we must look at alternatives to incarceration for the offenders it makes sense for. Instead of sending everyone to Rikers, we need to invest in rehabilitation programs, mental health services, and restorative justice programs in order to give people the help they need to be rehabilitated with dignity.

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?

Making applications for clemency available and including a link to that application in regular communication from the mayor’s office is a small, but important step we can take toward making the justice system work for the people of New York City.

20. . Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?

Scott Stringer

21. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?

I have removed Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo from consideration at this point in the race. I do not plan on ranking either of them come June. I look forward to judging my competitors based on their complete campaigns, their full comprehensive plans, and what we learn about their approach to leading the city over the next few months. Rest assured, the person I rank second will be the person I think will be the second-best mayor.

22. Do you support the renaming of the Ed Koch bridge and will you work towards the renaming including sponsoring such legislation?

I will work to ensure New York City is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who inhabit it. I will commit to an open dialogue and discussion about the proposal.

23. What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for “City of Yes”? If not, please explain.

The “City of Yes” initiative is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. It aims to modernize outdated zoning rules and create housing, but it doesn't go far enough to address the affordability crisis. Zoning reform alone won’t solve our housing problems unless we ensure that new development prioritizes working-class and low-income New Yorkers, not just market-rate units.

We need aggressive action to expand affordability, hold bad landlords accountable, and protect tenants from displacement. I believe any housing plan must be realistic, actionable, and

financially sustainable. My Mitchell-Llama 2.0 Plan builds on the proven success of past affordable housing programs and ensures that the city takes a proactive role in creating and maintaining affordable homes.

I will work with the City Council and community organizations to push for housing solutions that truly serve the needs of working New Yorkers. Our housing crisis is urgent, and we need leadership that can deliver results – not just rhetoric.

24. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?

An essential part of ending the homelessness crisis, although I will be primarily operating on a housing-first model, we cannot make that transition overnight. Short-term housing will continue to exist and expand to meet the needs of the city. I will make great efforts to analyze reporting data and identify high-traffic areas where we can focus the development of healthy, safe

short-term housing with integrated social services as well as develop long-term solutions. Prioritizing stable housing paired with comprehensive support systems and services reduces homelessness and promotes long-term well-being.

25. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?

For over thirty years, I have given myself to public service as a tenant organizer, a community liaison, an assemblyman, the Manhattan Borough President, and the City Comptroller.

Throughout my career, I have repeatedly shown myself to be an outspoken advocate for the reforms and platform I believe in. I have gone out of my way to show support for the groups and individuals with which I am aligned, having been arrested for demonstrating while sitting in publicly elected office. I have been a model for good, accountable, and transparent government, and have gone a step above living my political principles rather than just speaking empty rhetoric.

You can count on me to stand up for what’s right and not turn a blind eye to the injustices suffered by others.. In protest of New York State’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriage in 2010, my wife, Elyse Buxbaum, and I chose to get married in Connecticut – where marriage equality had been achieved. In 2011, Every day we hear politicians talk, pontificating about what they can do, will do, and have done. Although I do my fair share of speaking on the campaign trail, New Yorkers can look at what I’m doing day to day and see a dynamic candidate, working for the causes I believe in and the communities I found myself a part of. I am a product of my city, and as Mayor I am dedicated to serving it.

26. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?

My policy proposals are designed to take back New York City for all New Yorkers. By prioritizing public safety, ethics and corruption, the affordability crisis through housing and childcare first, and sanitation, we can transform NYC for the benefit of everyone who lives here.

PUBLIC SAFETY & QUALITY OF LIFE

I know everything else is secondary until we get public safety and quality of life right. I’m committed to ensuring no New Yorker is anxious when getting on the subway, sitting in the park, or walking down the street:

Launch QualitySTAT, a new cross-agency task force that will focus solely on quality-of-life improvements and report directly to the mayor.
The city’s largest mental health initiative ever, including a vast increase in mental health beds and a major transition of mental health crisis responses to trained health professionals.
Working with the NYPD to ensure transparency and accountability.

ETHICS AND CORRUPTION

Corruption at City Hall has robbed New Yorkers of affordable housing, functioning schools, and safer streets. My plan puts transparency and accountability at the center:

Ban Pay-to-Play Practices: End campaign contributions and bundling from contractors, lobbyists, and developers doing business with the city. Impose strict penalties for violations.
Tackle Big Money: Prohibit independent expenditures from contractors and foreign-influenced corporations in city elections, ensuring campaigns reflect the voices of everyday New Yorkers—not special interests.
Bring Full Transparency: Create distinct budget lines for every capital project and require public access to redacted contract proposals for fair and open procurement.
Close the Revolving Door: Restrict lobbying by former city officials and prevent city agencies from hiring lobbyists who previously lobbied them.

HOUSING

I know that housing in New York City is broken; skyrocketing rents and a system stacked against working families threaten the stability of our city. My bold housing plan tackles both affordability and access:

Unlocking Public Land: Transform thousands of vacant city-owned properties into affordable housing.
Robin Hood Housing Plan: Reclaim neglected properties from bad landlords and turn them into safe, affordable homes for families.
Revolving Loan Fund: Provide $500 million in affordable loans to nonprofit and MWBE developers to build community-centered housing projects.
Revitalize NYCHA: Secure $40 billion for critical repairs to make public housing safe and livable for 400,000 residents.

OUR KIDS

Childcare is in crisis in New York City, and families are paying the price. My plan ensures every family has the support they need to thrive:

Tri-Share Childcare Fund: Split childcare costs among the city, employers, and families so no parent pays more than 10% of their income.
Extended School Hours: Expand public school hours to 4:30 PM, providing free or low-cost afterschool programs for working families.
Support for Childcare Workers: Increase wages and benefits for childcare workers to stabilize the workforce and improve the quality of care.

SANITATION

I will start picking up the trash. My comprehensive sanitation plan will transform New York City’s waste management system into a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable operation. The plan will:

Reduce Sidewalk Clutter: Prioritize shared on-street containers and innovative waste storage solutions tailored to each neighborhood.
Boost Recycling and Composting: Fully integrate recycling and composting into the waste system with clear, color-coded bins and public education campaigns.
Improve Efficiency: Modernize waste collection with advanced technologies, upgraded recycling facilities, and local processing plants to reduce landfill dependency.
Build for the Future: Mandate waste management infrastructure in new developments, including recycling chutes and compactors, to support long-term sustainability.

My plan prioritizes clean streets, public health, and environmental responsibility, delivering real results for every New Yorker.

27. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?

N/A

questionnaireJim Owles Liberal Democratic ClubApril 27, 2025nyc mayor 2025