Politics & Government

Jackson Heights Woman Runs For New York Senate

Jessica Ramos launched her campaign to represent Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona and Woodside in the state senate.

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JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS -- Supporters braved a brisk, windy morning with signs of support Thursday morning as Queens native Jessica Ramos threw her hat in the race for a seat on the New York State Senate.

Jessica Ramos, of Jackson Heights, announced her campaign to represent District 19 - which covers Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Woodside and Corona - in the State Senate. She'll run for the democratic nomination against Senator Jose Peralta, who currently holds the seat.

"I'm running because I love Queens, and the Queens I love isn't being represented in the State Senate," Ramos said at her campaign launch on the corner of 37th Avenue and 78th Street.

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Ramos purposely announced her candidacy on the one-year anniversary of Peralta joining the Independent Democratic Conference in an alliance with Senate Republicans that allowed the GOP to keep its majority and block legislation like the DREAM Act.

"Our government is fighting to make sure New York City stays a sanctuary city, but that's not enough," said Ramos, who noted her parents were Colombian immigrants. "We need New York to be a sanctuary state."

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Ramos also touched on issues she planned to campaign on, including funding for city schools, rent reform and improvements to the MTA subway systems.


"Our subways are controlled by the state government, and our subways are in crisis," Ramos said. "I should know - I ride the subway and bus every day."

Ramos said she wanted to see less subway delays, and elevators at every station for those who are unable to walk down the stairs. She called for less talk and more action from the MTA about fixing subway crises, saying she wanted the MTA to "open its books."

Photo courtesy of Jessica Ramos campaign.
Supporters listen in Jackson Heights as Jessica Ramos announces her candidacy to represent District 19 on the New York State Senate.

"I don't want a study about the levels of lead paint - I want the lead paint to be removed immediately," Ramos said. "I don't want a clock that tells me how late the train is going to be - I want the train to be on time."

Also stressed in her campaign was the need for a rent reform, including stronger tenant laws to ensure rent spikes don't push families out of their homes and a repeal of the law that allows state politicians to dictate New York City's rent regulations.

"We may live in the biggest city in the United States, but so many of the things we rely on are actually decided up in Albany," she said.

That includes funding for the city's public schools, which Ramos said the government owes $4 billion in aide to that is has yet to pay up.

"I am proud of our amazing schools, but I know they would do even better if they were properly funded," she said.

Ramos concluded her speech with a promise to fight for the working people of Queens in her district, something the Jackson Heights mother of two said she's devoted her life to.

She's campaigned for the city's construction, building and maintenance hotel workers with Build Up NYC and served as a communications specialist for local and regional branches of the Service Employees International Union.

Most recently, Ramos served as director of Latino media for Mayor Bill de Blasio. She was also a Democratic District Leader from 2010 - 2014 and a member of Queens Community Board 3.

"I've used my voice to empower immigrants and workers, I've ensured our communities are informed about city initiatives and services, but the city can only do so much when Albany is systemically broken," she said.

Lead photo courtesy of Jessica Ramos campaign.

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