Brooklyn State Senator Candidate Profile: Andrew Gounardes

BROOKLYN, NY — Andrew Gounardes, 39, a Democrat and the incumbent candidate, is running for State Senator in District 26, which includes Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Red Hook, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, in Brooklyn's general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Gounardes, a Bay Ridge native, currently holds the position of State Senator for District 26. Before taking office in 2019, he held different positions in state and local government, including General Counsel to the Brooklyn Borough President.

Patch recently asked Gounardes four questions about his campaign and district. See his replies below.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article contains information about one of several candidates who have announced their campaigns for Brooklyn offices in the 2024 general election. Patch has contacted the other candidates with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

PATCH: What are your qualifications to run for office?

GOUNARDES: Before taking office, I worked both in the NYC Council, U.S. Senate, non-profits and as General Counsel to the Brooklyn Borough President. My greatest achievements have been during my tenure in the NYS Senate, where I’ve renewed and expanded the life-saving speed camera program twice, closed the gap for children 0-3 in the NYS Child Tax Credit, and passed a state-wide Freelance Isn’t Free Law. These are just a few of the more than 100 laws that I’ve passed since taking office in 2019.

PATCH: What are the key issues in your district that you'd tackle in office? How would you tackle them?

GOUNARDES: The affordability crisis is the number one issue I hear from every end of the Senate District. Families are being pushed out of New York thanks to spiraling child care and housing costs. I believe to address these, we need to invest in true affordable housing, that is deeply affordable and has permanent protections and understand that we need to think creatively to get there.

We also need to invest in families who are staying in NYS, including making childcare more affordable and accessible. I’ve also introduced the Working Families Tax Credit, which would streamline the current system and provide a maximum credit of $1600 per child to every New York family across the state.

PATCH: What sets you apart from the other candidate?

GOUNARDES: My record of success. Since being elected in 2018 to the New York State Senate, I’ve proven to be an effective legislator, chaptering more than 100 bills that affect everyday New Yorkers, as well as someone who prioritizes constituent services and helping our neighbors. My office practices the politics of “philoxenia,” a Greek word that means the “love of strangers.” My office has helped thousands of our neighbors get access to government services or cut through red tape. If re-elected, I will continue to bring that spirit of service to the district.

PATCH: What is one thing that always makes you smile about your district?

GOUNARDES: We have some of the best food in District 26. I don’t want to name favorites (though I have many) but name a style of food, and there are so many of the best, most authentic spots you can find.