Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Zellnor Y. Myrie for NY Senate District 20
Candidate Name: Zellnor Y. Myrie
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 20
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I am running for reelection to continue representing the community that raised me. I am a proud New Yorker and public school graduate: I attended P.S. 161 in Crown Heights and Brooklyn Tech. Over 40 years ago, my parents immigrated from Costa Rica and came to the city following the promise of a better future. I grew up in a rent-stabilized home. After attending Fordham University and Cornell Law School, it became increasingly clear that the opportunities my parents came to this city searching for were vanishing.
Public policy has directly impacted me and my family throughout my life. I use the subway and bus to get around and have experienced firsthand the effects of New York’s affordability crisis. These shared experiences don’t just inform my worldview–they drive my urgency to act. I know that for too many New Yorkers, the promise that drew my parents here is slipping away. That’s why I’ve spent my career fighting for everyday people who are struggling to afford life in our state.
In 2018, I launched a longshot campaign to unseat a member of the Independent Democratic Conference, which had blocked progress for working-class families like mine. Despite being outraised and outspent by my opponent and his supporters, I united a highly diverse district, which included Park Slope, Crown Heights, Flatbush, and Sunset Park, around a new vision, becoming part of a crusading class of new Democrats. I also have a statewide network of anti-IDC Democrat allies with whom I’ve worked closely to protect our state and democracy.
My focus is to continue making strides in tackling the affordability crisis, protecting our most vulnerable constituents from federal overreach especially when it comes to immigration enforcement, and improving public safety for all New Yorkers.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I’ve closely worked with several LGBTIQ organizations in my district and beyond. I’ve worked to support the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, located in the heart of my district, in expanding its programming and reaching more needy and vulnerable constituents.
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?
Since the start of this legislative session, I have been part of several press conferences calling for immediate action regarding current federal government policies. Most recently, I was a part of Senator Pat Fahy's rally in support of the people of Minnesota. I will continue to stand in support of communities most at risk from federal overreach.
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?
I’ve authored the New York Civil Rights Act, a critical piece of legislation that would allow New Yorkers to sue federal agents, including ICE. I’m also working with my colleagues to pass other relevant legislation that protects New Yorkers from federal immigration overreach. To this end, I plan to work side by side with advocates, community leaders, and community-based organizations to make these bills law this session.
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 haven’t but I look forward to doing so very soon.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
As I mentioned above, I’ve authored the New York Civil Rights Act, a critical piece of legislation that would allow New Yorkers to sue federal agents, including ICE. I believe this is one of the strongest guardrails against federal overreach. I am also a proud co-sponsor of New York for All, a bill I hope to help pass in the Senate this legislative session.
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.
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’ve introduced several pieces of legislation that address our persistent housing crisis. I led the fight to pass the strongest rent laws in a generation. I have also authored the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which preserves affordable housing and provides renters with the opportunity to own the properties they currently reside in. I believe increasing our housing stock while providing strong tenant protections is the best way to address our housing affordability crisis and reduce homelessness across the city and state.
I have never opposed any shelters in my district.
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.
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?
Yes.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
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.
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?
No. I was a candidate myself and ranked the WFP-endorsed slate during the primary. I supported the Democratic party nominee for 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?
I would support a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge.
20. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
The state should explore all the avenues to increase our housing stock by speeding up affordable housing construction, cutting red tape, and strengthening protections for our tenants. Legislatively, I have authored the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which preserves affordable housing and provides renters with the opportunity to own the properties they currently reside in. It is one of the surest ways to preserve housing affordability and expand access to homeownership.
21. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes.
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.
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’ve been honored to receive this club’s endorsement in years past, and would be honored to continue to work together to achieve a more affordable, just, and fair New York for us all.
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.