Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives - New York 3rd Congressional District in 2020 New York Regular and Presidential Primary Election.
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Get StartedWe live in very divisive times. From the White House to our communities, everyday Americans are under attack because of who they are and how they feel. I cannot stand aside as Americans live in fear based on their sexuality. It does not matter whether you are straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning. I will strive to be a role model for all kids—both gay and straight and will support equality for all people, and will fight tirelessly to ensure that no one is treated differently because of who they are or who they love. Learn more
For too long our education system has been neglected and fed with empty promises. No more. I will fight to strengthen the Every Student Succeeds Act by allocating more funding to states for education. Many of our most vulnerable children rely on the education provided through our public-school system. It is our responsibility as members of our community to make sure every student from kindergarten to university has the resources they need; everyone deserves a future. I will support any measure to make college more affordable and more accessible to students. Learn more
Climate change is not only real, it is an existential threat to the future of our planet, and we must take bold action to prevent its economic and environmental impacts here and around the globe. That’s why I support the Green New Deal. As the Trump Administration implements policies that damage our environment, open spaces, air, and coastlines, we must take a stand. President Trump's decision to pull us out of the Paris Climate Agreement was a foolhardy maneuver that takes us backwards in our fight to protect the environment. I am a life-long environmentalist. I spent six months working at Greenpeace when I was a teenager and I will continue to work hard to prevent climate change. (Photo: Michael Weinstock fishing in the Long Island sound). Learn more
I was pleased when the United States moved our embassy to Jerusalem, and I will do everything humanly possible to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. I will only support a two-state solution when the Palestinian Authority condemns the use of terror and embraces Israel’s right to exist. Being Jewish is important to me—it is a cornerstone of my life. That’s why I lived in Israel for six months, to immerse myself and learn, while attending Ben Gurion University. I also keep kosher and I strive to be a better Jew. Learn more
I will always remember the day that a gunman opened fire on my college campus, at the University of Iowa. And I will always remember, kneeling on the floor of the classroom and treating those students who were shot. And I will never forget living in Jamaica, Queens during the early 90s, when I would hear gunshots, every single night, outside my window. Enough is enough. We cannot stand by while gun violence threatens our communities. The issue is gun safety. It is not about being anti-gun or pro-gun; it is about being anti-gun-violence. I will fight to promote and pass common-sense legislation to prevent gun violence. I will also work to increase access to mental health resources to those who need help, while ensuring that our law enforcement has the tools they need to keep our communities safe. Learn more
All Americans have a right to health care. This is beyond dispute. And while I am wholeheartedly supportive of Medicare for All; I am also concerned about the implementation. Many union members are gravely concerned that Medicare for All will create serious problems with their existing health care benefits. I will do everything possible, to push Medicare for All forward - and work with local union leaders to ensure that they are not hurt. Learn more
Our current immigration system is outdated and not working. I will work towards creating a clear, legal pathway to citizenship. We must protect students who were brought to this country as children, who by no fault of their own, never obtained legal status. For many of these children, better known as Dreamers, the United States is the only home country they know, and in some cases, English the only language they speak. I strongly support passing the DREAM Act to provide these young people with a path to citizenship. As a member of Congress, I will always support equal access to higher education regardless of immigration status. And, of course, I will fight the Trump Administration and work doggedly, to ensure that children are never forced to sleep in cages, simply because their parents decided to immigrate to the US. Learn more
I come from a proud union family and I will always be appreciative of the critical role that unions play with middle class families – and families that are struggling hard, to climb into the middle class. My mother and grandmother were both members of 1199 (Health and Hospital Workers) and my dad was a member of PEF (New York State Public Employees Federation.) When I was a little boy, I had life-saving surgery to repair a birth defect. I thank God that my dad was a member of a union, or the surgery would have been postponed or altered. Learn more
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