Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Yuh-Line Niou for NY Senate District 27
Candidate Name: Yuh-Line Niou
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 27
Website: https://www.yuhlineforsenate.com/
Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
As an immigrant, as a new mom, as a queer, working-class woman of color, and a survivor of sexual assault, I bring lived experience to the issues that matter most to working-class New Yorkers. I represented the 65th Assembly District for six years, delivering historic tenant protections, fighting for immigrant communities, and standing up to Andrew Cuomo when it wasn't politically convenient. I went on a hunger strike for taxi workers drowning in debt, marched for a New Deal for CUNY, and drafted legislation to expand language access for immigrant communities. I know this district, I know its people, and I will fight without compromise for them in the State Senate.
The 27th contains vibrant queer communities, including most of the Village, and I would be so honored to represent them. I am also running on a slate with Brad Lander, and am so excited to bring truly progressive leadership to Lower Manhattan at every level.
What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Jim Owles, Stonewall, NQAPIA, Christopher Street Project, and APICHA.
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended?
Too many to mention all events around them, but I have been a fighter for Decrim, on Raise the Age, on codifying Roe, on bail reform, on elder parole, the repeal of the walking while trans ban, the data disaggregation bill, and most recently for gender-affirming care. As an elected official, I showed up at every available opportunity.
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?
The Trump administration's attacks on immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, women, and communities of color demand bold resistance at every level of government. In the State Senate, I will work to strengthen New York's sanctuary protections, expand state-level safety nets to replace gutted federal programs, and use my platform to organize communities most targeted by this administration. I will not compromise or capitulate, New York must be a firewall against federal cruelty.
Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
Absolutely not.
Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes. In the Assembly, I voted to expand legal protections for abortion providers, prohibit arrests for lawful abortions, and prohibit extradition of abortion providers to other states.
Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Yes. I have stood with queer and trans youth in front of drag story hour events to keep them safe. I have promoted drag story hours by some of my favorite drag queens.
How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York's role as a "Sanctuary City"?
I will sponsor and support every piece of legislation that strengthens New York's sanctuary protections and limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. As an Assembly Member, I fought for language access for immigrant communities and assisted thousands of immigrants through my district office. In the Senate and as an immigrant, I will build on that record and oppose any effort, federal or local, to endanger immigrant New Yorkers.
Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes, of course.
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. As someone who carried parts of the Invest in Our New York package and worked on several of the bills, I am very dedicated to the Tax the Rich Agenda. Working-class New Yorkers cannot continue to bear the burden of an underfunded public sector while billionaires and corporations pay next to nothing. I will support progressive revenue measures to fully fund housing, healthcare, childcare, and education.
How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
No, I have never opposed a shelter in my district, and I also don’t believe that shelters are the answer to our housing crisis. I believe we have a moral obligation to house every person who needs it, full stop. As a Senator, I will fight for supportive housing, permanent affordable housing, oppose policies that criminalize homelessness, and ensure asylum seekers have access to shelter, legal services, and a pathway to stability.
Will you sponsor and support the New York for All Act?
Yes.
Do you support the Second Look Act, Earned Time Act, Marvin Mayfield Act, and Elder Parole?
Yes to all four. Our sentencing and parole laws are relics of a punitive era that has failed communities of color and working-class New Yorkers. I support giving incarcerated people a genuine pathway to redemption and return. In Albany, I will champion eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, allowing petitioning for sentence reductions, and expanding parole hearings, especially for our elder neighbors.
Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated?
Yes. I have visited constituents who are incarcerated and will continue to do so. I have written letters for leniency and visited Rikers, along with other jails and prisons.
Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency?
Yes, including a link in constituent newsletters.
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 and would never rank Andrew Cuomo for anything. I ranked the NYWFP slate for the primary and I publicly supported Mayor Mamdani in both the 2025 primary and general election.
Would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes. Ed Koch's record on the AIDS crisis and racial justice is indefensible, and New York's public spaces should not honor those who caused so much harm to our communities.
What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing?
I fought for historic tenant protections in the Assembly and will continue that fight in the Senate. I support robust investment in social housing, expansion of the affordable housing stock through community land trusts, strong enforcement of rent stabilization, and legislation that holds landlords accountable for harassment and displacement. New York must treat housing as a human right, not a commodity.
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 dime from special interests. Every time we have run for office these interests have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars in an effort to stop our movement. Not only will I reject contributions from the special interests above, but I will also not accept any money from any of their financiers, weapons and military contractors, pharmaceutical companies, the cryptocurrency and AI industry, or any PAC that threatens the needs of working-class families.
Do you support Cecilia's Act (decriminalization of consensual commercial sex work between adults)?
Yes, I strongly supported Cecilia’s Act in the state Assembly and fully believe in the decriminalization of consensual commercial sex work between adults.
Do you support mandatory inclusion of January 6th insurrection education in public schools?
Yes. Young people deserve an honest accounting of what happened on January 6, 2021, and the forces that led to it. Civic education must include the truth about threats to our democracy.
What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider?
I am an active member of the Jim Owles Club and I am on the board. I would be very proud to have the endorsement of the club.
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.