NYC State Assemblymember Candidate Profile: Alex Bores

NEW YORK CITY — New York's Assembly District 73 has been represented by Alex Bores since 2022. He is running for re-election against Republican challenger Awadhesh Gupta on Nov. 5.

Bores was born on the East Side of Manhattan and earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 2013 and a graduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2020. Before running for public office, Bores worked as an engineer.

Here are Bores' answers to five key questions ahead of Election Day.

PATCH: What drove you to seek public office?

I was inspired to run for office by a genuine love for my community. As a fifth generation New Yorker born and raised on the East Side, this neighborhood is the one that has shaped my entire life: I went to school at PS6, Wagner, and Hunter High School. Every day, I saw the issues New Yorkers face, from housing insecurity, to safety, to the high cost of living, and I knew I could help implement solutions. I also wanted to show people that, during a high watermark of cynicism and opposition to governmental programs, that the public sector could be a force for good.

PATCH: What sets you apart from the other candidates?

As the first Democrat elected in New York at any level with a computer science degree, I bring a unique know-how to issues both local and in Albany. Working with government agencies in the private sector showed me specifically how government and governmental processes could be improved, and I’ve brought that knowledge with me to the Assembly. With any policy, the most important parts tend to be in the small details. While still keeping the big picture in mind, I’m proud to be a bit technocratic.

PATCH: What do you see as the biggest issues facing your district?

If I had to pick only two: safety and cost of living. The first duty of government is to ensure everyone is safe. As the grandson of an NYPD officer, I take that responsibility seriously. But our goal should not just be to make New York safer, but to enable New Yorkers to thrive. However, rising costs have made that difficult; New York’s housing market is in serious trouble, and high rents are endemic. New Yorkers are feeling the effects – with some of the most expensive real estate on the planet, 40% of my constituents are rent-burdened. In order to enjoy all our state has to offer, people need to feel safe on the street and in their homes.

PATCH: How would you tackle those issues?

Safety is front of mind for many of my neighbors. Traditionally, this has meant reducing crime, and I have passed and continue to advocate for many policies to improve safety. This year, we closed loopholes in hate crime statutes to ensure criminals motivated by bigotry are held accountable. Additionally, we delivered security funding to institutions of faith, small businesses, and schools. In my next term, building on these efforts, I will pass my bills to speed up trials and to reduce gun crimes through the use of user-authenticated firearms.

Additionally, in recent years, people have become more concerned with safety while crossing the street. Progress toward Vision Zero is taking too long, and new vehicles on the street are creating novel dangers. We can improve safety on our streets through universal day lighting, complete streets design, and cracking down on ghost plates. I have also passed bills to bring mopeds and reckless e-bikes under control: one requiring moped registration at the point of sale, and another ensuring we capture data on every type of vehicle involved in any crash.

Our housing market needs a number of interventions. We need to make better use of the supply that we have right now, by funding repairs for dilapidated vacant apartments to get them up to code and ready to be a home. In the long-term, we need to build more housing. I will advocate for building homes in and around New York City through public investment, transit-oriented development (encouraging growth of housing near Metro North and LIRR stations to reduce pressure on New York City), legalizing accessory dwelling units, and more.

PATCH: What is the best thing about living in your district?

I could talk about the cultural institutions like the Guggenheim or the Frick, historical richness of the East Side, the beautiful parks, wonderful schools, or views of the East River in my district. But really it is the people. I have (objectively) the greatest constituents in the state, and I know that because they’ve been my friends and neighbors since my childhood.