Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Wilfredo Lopez for City Council District 8
Candidate Name: Wilfredo Lopez
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 8
Campaign Website: https://lopezfornyc.com/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I believe I’m the best person to represent District 8 because I’ve lived the challenges our community faces and have fought to change the systems that have failed us. I’m a lifelong tenant who’s organized rent strikes and stood up to slumlords. I’m a human services worker who has spent years supporting families in the shelter system. I’m a father raising my son here, so every decision I make is rooted in creating a safer, more affordable, and more just future for all our families.
Professionally, I’ve worked at the City Council, where I helped pass transformative legislation— from banning toxic pesticides in our parks to expanding campaign finance reform. I’ve served on Community Board 11 and the Metropolitan Hospital Community Advisory Board, advocating for public health and affordable housing. I’ve built coalitions across boroughs, navigated complex policy, and brought people together to get things done.
I know how City Hall works—and more importantly, I know who it often leaves out. I bring both lived experience and legislative expertise, and I’m ready to fight for a District 8 that works for all of us—not just the well-connected.
2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?
I’ve had the privilege of working with organizations like The Center and SAGE to expand access to domestic violence services specifically tailored for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, particularly single adults who are often overlooked in the shelter system. Professionally, I’ve advocated for the Safe Shelter Act, which was designed to create more inclusive shelter options and address the barriers faced by LGBTQ+ survivors of violence.
While I haven’t held elected office yet and my endorsements haven’t carried formal weight, I’ve proudly supported and uplifted LGBTQ+ candidates who reflect the values of equity and justice. That includes Elisa Crespo and Lynn Schulman in their 2021 City Council races, and Justin Westbrook Lowery for Democratic District Leader in 2020. I believe representation matters, and I will continue to stand with and work alongside the LGBTQ+ community to ensure our city is safe, inclusive, and affirming for all.
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?
I’ve proudly marched in the Pride Parade every year with my family, because visibility, solidarity, and joy are powerful acts of resistance. I helped organize the press conference condemning former Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr.’s homophobic comments, standing shoulder to shoulder with LGBTQ+ advocates and allies to demand accountability.
I’ve also marched in the Women’s March and joined countless local actions for racial justice, including marches for George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and calls to defund the systems that harm our communities. I’ve taken to the streets in protest of Trump’s cruel deportation orders and anti-immigrant policies, and most recently participated in the Hands-Off rally to defend our rights and reject fascism in any form.
These actions aren’t performative—they’re a reflection of my values and a continuation of the work I do every day as a human services advocate, a father, and a lifelong fighter for justice.
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?
As a lifelong advocate, attorney, and human services worker, I know that we can’t afford to wait until harm is done—we have to organize now.
With Trump poised to attack our communities again, I’m committed to standing on the frontlines with the people most at risk: women, LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, immigrants, and communities of color. I’ve spent years working with directly impacted people—survivors of domestic violence, undocumented families, public housing residents—and I know what’s at stake.
We will build neighborhood-level coalitions that center those most vulnerable to Trump’s policies. That means working with tenants’ associations, parent groups, legal aid organizations, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and immigrant-led nonprofits to build rapid response networks, legal defense support, and proactive public education campaigns.
In the Council, I will use every tool available—hearings, budget advocacy, legislation—to protect New Yorkers from federal attacks. I’ll push back against any effort to use local resources to cooperate with ICE or strip funding from services like reproductive healthcare or gender- affirming care.
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 have not, nor will I seek their endorsement and even if I did receive their endorsements, I would absolutely denounce it and condemn their homophobic and anti-choice positions.
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?
As someone who has spent my career fighting for communities that are too often ignored or targeted, I am ready to stand up to the Trump agenda with everything I have. I’ve worked with immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, public housing residents, and LGBTQ+ New Yorkers—and I’ve seen how bad policy becomes real pain. We cannot allow that to happen again.
In District 8, I’ll organize with trusted community partners—immigrant-led organizations, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, reproductive justice coalitions, and racial justice organizers—to build a united front. We’ll create spaces where people can get informed, mobilize quickly, and know their rights. I’ll work with legal service providers to expand Know Your Rights trainings and rapid response infrastructure so our communities are prepared, not caught off guard.
At City Hall, I’ll use my platform to pass legislation that protects civil liberties and blocks local cooperation with harmful federal policies—whether that’s ICE, attacks on trans healthcare, or the rollback of reproductive rights. I’ll fight to fully fund services for those most at risk, and ensure New York City remains a true sanctuary city, in both policy and practice.
We’ve been through this before—and I’m ready to fight back again, alongside the people who make this city strong.
8. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes, I unequivocally support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion. Reproductive freedom is a fundamental human right, and every person should have the ability to make decisions about their own body without interference from the government. As a father whose son was born after eight cycles of IVF, I understand deeply how personal and complex reproductive healthcare can be. My wife and I have advocated for access to fertility care and reproductive rights at both the state and federal levels. I will always stand up for the right to choose, for access to comprehensive reproductive health services, and for policies that protect and expand that access for everyone—regardless of income, immigration status, or zip code.
9. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
NA, however, I will fund this initiative when elected.
10. What proposals will do you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?
I support enshrining New York City’s sanctuary city status into the City Charter to ensure it is not subject to political whims or future administrations. True sanctuary means more than words—it means action. That’s why I also support expanding access to free legal representation for immigrants facing deportation. We can achieve this by building partnerships with all New York City law schools to train and deploy third-year students, supervised by qualified immigration attorneys, to assist individuals navigating our complex immigration courts. We must also increase funding to hire more experienced immigration attorneys to ensure every person has access to high-quality legal defense, regardless of status or income. These protections not only uphold our values—they strengthen the safety and cohesion of our communities.
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 will represent our most vulnerable neighbors—those experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers—by ensuring our city prioritizes housing, dignity, and access to services over criminalization and neglect. I’ve spent years working in the shelter system, and I know firsthand how broken it can be. That’s why I’ve pushed for policies that center the humanity of those we serve, including advocating for direct cash assistance, expanding supportive housing, and fighting for fair shelter siting that is equitable across all communities—not just concentrated in the poorest neighborhoods.
I’ve never opposed a shelter in my district. In fact, during the pandemic, I helped lead a rent strike in my building after a slumlord shut off our gas. That experience reinforced my belief that housing is a human right and that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to live. I support building more deeply affordable housing and creating pathways out of shelter—not by opposing shelters, but by working to make them more humane, better resourced, and ultimately transitional, not permanent. We must meet people where they are, fight stigma, and ensure that all New Yorkers—regardless of their housing or immigration status—are treated with dignity and care.
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.
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.
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.
18. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?
Yes.
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?
Yes.
20. . Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?
I ranked Maya Wiley and Kathrine Garcia
21. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?
I have removed Eric Adams from consideration and have not made any endorsements. I am focused on my race, but am paying attention to the candidate’s platforms and may decide to support an candidate or a slate before the primary.
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.
To address rent affordability in NYC, I believe we need a multi-pronged approach that tackles both the cost of housing and the power imbalance between tenants and landlords. First, we must expand and strengthen rent stabilization and tenant protections, including Good Cause Eviction legislation, so tenants aren’t priced out of their homes or evicted without cause. I support expanding Right to Counsel to ensure all tenants, regardless of income or immigration status, have access to legal representation in housing court.
We must also focus on building and preserving truly affordable housing—units tied to actual neighborhood income levels, not inflated Area Median Income (AMI) calculations that don’t reflect what our communities earn. I support social housing models like Community Land Trusts and HDFCs, and I oppose the privatization of public housing and schemes like RAD/PACT that have led to tenant displacement.
We also need to pass the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) so that tenants have the right to purchase their buildings when they go up for sale, creating permanent affordability and community ownership. Ultimately, rent affordability requires political will and a commitment to putting people before profits. That’s the kind of leadership I intend to bring to the City Council.
I was not in office during the City of Yes vote, but would have voted yes on it.
24. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?
Short-term housing needs to be part of a broader housing stability strategy, especially in a city where thousands of families and individuals are forced into shelters every night. I’ve spent years working in the shelter system and have seen firsthand how temporary housing, when poorly managed or not paired with services, can do more harm than good.
We need to shift our approach—short-term housing should be safe, dignified, and truly transitional. That means increasing investment in supportive services like mental health care,
substance use treatment, employment assistance, and legal support. It also means converting some Tier II shelters and other temporary facilities into permanent supportive housing with wraparound services.
At the same time, we must improve the conditions in existing shelters—ensuring they are clean, safe, and trauma-informed spaces. The City should also prioritize moving people into permanent housing faster by expanding rental assistance programs and cutting through bureaucratic red tape.
Short-term housing should never be a long-term solution. My goal is to ensure it serves as a bridge—not a dead end—toward stability and permanent, affordable housing.
25. Do you support fully divesting city pension funds from Tesla?
Yes.
26. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?
I’m a lifelong tenant, a father, and a human services worker who has spent his career fighting for working families and vulnerable communities. I’ve organized tenants to stand up to abusive landlords, led rent strikes during the pandemic, and helped shape legislation at the City Council that expanded campaign finance reform, tackled climate change, and strengthened tenant protections.
As someone who has worked inside government and alongside grassroots advocates, I understand how policy gets made—and how it too often leaves out the people most affected. I’ve worked in the shelter system and seen how broken housing policies hurt families. I’ve sat on the Community Advisory Board at Metropolitan Hospital, advocating for better healthcare access in under-resourced communities. And I’ve partnered with immigrant-led and LGBTQ+ organizations to expand access to social services for those too often overlooked.
I bring the lived experience, the policy knowledge, and the deep community ties to be a bold, progressive voice on the City Council. I’m not running to preserve the status quo—I’m running to change it. I know what our communities are going through because I’ve lived it. And I know how to fight—and win—for the future we deserve.
27. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
In addition to having deep roots in the community and a progressive platform that aligns with the values of the Jim Owles Club, I want you to know that our campaign is in a strong position to win. We will be fully maxed out after the next filing deadline, ensuring we have the resources
necessary to run a competitive and effective campaign across both East Harlem and the South Bronx.
We’ve already received endorsements from Ending Homelessness Build a Better NY PAC, Citizen Action, and CWA District 1—with additional endorsements expected to roll out soon. These reflect our growing coalition of grassroots support and our campaign’s focus on economic justice, housing equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and standing up for working families.
I am proud to be running a people-powered campaign that centers the most vulnerable and takes no money from real estate developers or corporate lobbyists. I would be honored to have the support of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club in this race.
28. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?
NA