Vance Bostic

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Vance Bostic completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bostic's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading-bio-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBorn and raised in Brooklyn’s Coney Island projects, I know struggle firsthand. Lost both by 21, I’ve hustled as a carnie, waiter, line cook, and in food-truck in, surviving on tips while chasing my passions as a photographer and musician and working in nightlife as a photographer. After years of watching bosses exploit workers, I earned my MBA at 38, Gaining exposure to how capitalism rigs the system against the people. I’m fed up and ready to fight back.\r\n<p>I’m not a politician. I’m a servant of the people, ALL people. From NYCHA tenants, to gig workers, and artists crushed crippling standards. For too long people have not been able to relate with their representatives. We need hope.\r\n</p><p>I’ve lived every fight we’re in\r\n</p>\n<pre> o\tSurvived NYCHA neglect, wage theft, and the hypocrisy of “progressive” Democrats who take PAC cash while Brooklyn starves.\r\n o\tWent from high school dropout at 18 to MBA at 38 - only to fully see the system is designed to crush us. Now, I’m here to break it.\r\n</pre>\n<p>I’m not just a candidate – I am NYC’s repressed workforce personified. I've lived the grind. Every photo I’ve taken, every dish I’ve plated, every track I’ve made is proof I am the real deal. With no corporate cash and no apologies, I bring Brooklyn’s grit, artistry, and unyielding fight to a seat too long held by corporate puppets. Change is HERE! I will gut every single puppet of the establishment, through every single crack and craves. Enough is enough now. NO MORE!\r\n</p>\nE Pluribus Unum!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading-key-message-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>In the richest city in the world, no one should have to choose between their passion and their survival. Yet artists and gig workers are systematically locked out of the basic protections like healthcare, stable pay, and the retirement that every worker deserves.\r\n<p>As someone who has been paid in 'exposure' and worked at the mercy of an algorithm, I know this isn't a choice; it's exploitation. That ends now. We are launching a fight for an Artist &amp; Gig Worker Bill of Rights. \r\n</p>\nThis is about more than a paycheck; it's about our power. It's about saying that health insurance shouldn't chain you to a toxic job. That no delivery driver should fear a hospital bill more than a car accident.</li><li>No New Yorker should have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. Yet for decades, politicians have treated housing like a stock market, letting corporate landlords and Wall Street speculators evict, displace, and exploit our communities for profit.\r\n\r\nHousing is not a commodity for Wall Street to speculate on - it is a fundamental human right. No one should spend over 30% of their income on rent or live in fear of eviction and displacement. We must house Humanity with dignity, not criminalize poverty. \r\n\r\nWe don’t need more empty promises. We need a Congressmember who’s lived in the cracks of a broken system and is ready to rebuild it from the ground up.</li><li>For twenty years, I’ve survived on tips and empty promises from bosses who told me my smile would pay the bills. I’ve worked triple shifts and still struggled to afford the city I call home. So many of my family and friends have been forced to move because they can't afford the city. \r\n\r\nToo many of our Politicians don’t know that choice. They are funded by the same entities that designed this poverty we live under. Funded by the same corporations that lobby our Representatives to keep our wages low.\r\n\r\nWe are the collected frustration of the workforce who are told we aren’t worth a living income. Our fight for a $30/hour minimum wage isn’t just policy. It’s a personal promise, it’s a vow: in the richest nation on Earth.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading1-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI'm passionate about getting money out of politics and making it easier for anyone to get into office. I’ve lived under a system where politicians listen to donors, not the people they work for. I’ve served lobbyists their meals while they funded campaigns that kept my wages at poverty-level and my bills unaffordable. <br/><br/>\r\nThis isn’t democracy, it’s an auction. When only the rich can afford to run, we get government by the wealthy, for the wealthy. I’m fighting to tear down the paywall on public service so that the people serving tables can finally have a seat at them too.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading2-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI look up to the courageous moral leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His life’s work embodies a quote that guides me daily: 'We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.'<br/><br/>\n<p>In this moment, as we watch our nation fracture under the weight of corporate greed and rising authoritarianism, Dr. King’s example is not just inspirational, it is a necessary blueprint. He taught us that true leadership requires unwavering moral clarity and the courage to confront oppressive systems, not accommodate them.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI seek to follow his example by centering humanity over profit, justice over power, and bold truth over political convenience. My campaign is built on this principle, that our leaders must be of the people, by the people, for the people, and dedicated entirely to the fight for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world. We don't need more career politicians, we need servants of the people, driven by love and a fierce commitment to justice for all.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading3-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe most important characteristic is unbreakable integrity, a loyalty to people over profit. An elected official must owe their allegiance solely to the people they serve, not to corporate PACs or lobbyists. They must be servant leaders, not power brokers. For me, that’s not an abstract idea. After a lifetime in service jobs and earning my MBA, I’ve seen the system from both sides of the counter. This means:<br/><br/>\n<pre> •\tAuthenticity- Voters are tired of polished politicians. They deserve someone genuine, who speaks plainly, boldly, and owns their entire story, the good and the bad.<br/>\r\n •\tLived Experience- Officials must know the weight of bills and the stress of debt because they’ve lived it.<br/>\r\n •\tMoral Courage- The willingness to fight for what's right, not what's easy, even when it means standing alone.<br/>\r\n •\tFidelity to The People- This means refusing all corporate PAC money. My only obligation will be to the people.<br/>\r\n •\tRadical Empathy- The ability to not just hear but truly feel the struggles of working-class and marginalized people because you've lived them yourself.<br/>\r\n</pre>\n •\tUnapologetic Advocacy- Principle is useless without the courage to act on it. It means being a voice for the voiceless, without backing down when the spotlight gets hot.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading4-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe the core responsibility of a U.S. Representative is service, not self-interest.<br/><br/>\n<p>1- Loyalty to People, Not Donors- The sole duty is to represent constituents' needs. This requires rejecting all corporate PAC money. You cannot fight for renters while taking real estate cash or protect workers while funded by union-busters.<br/><br/>\r\n2- Courageous Legislation- The job is to fight for transformative bills that solve root problems like Medicare for All, federal rent control, and a $30hr living wage, not just cast safe votes.<br/><br/>\r\n3- Radical Transparency- Hold town halls in communities, not closed doors. Publish meetings. Explain votes in plain language. If you meet with lobbyists, you must also meet with those they exploit.<br/><br/>\r\n4- Constituent Service as Crisis Response- The district office must be a first responder, actively helping people secure VA benefits, Social Security, and disaster relief, the unglamorous, essential work of governance.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nBe a warrior for the district and a servant to its people. Right now, NY-8 has a representative who serves his donors. I will serve our people.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading5-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI want to leave a legacy where we, as a society, finally redefine success. A legacy not measured by the wealth we generate or the profits we build, but by our collective humanitarian efforts, our commitment to sustainability, and our dedication to elevating humanity.<br/><br/>\n<p>My legacy would be a world where the needs of the many are no longer held hostage by the greed of a few billionaires. It would be a future where we are one step closer to uniting the human race as a singular species on this rock we call Earth, a species that cares for its people and its planet with equal passion.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThis pursuit is why I’m in this fight. We must change. We must do better. And I intend to spend my time proving that a better world isn’t just possible, it’s within our reach if we have the courage to say NO MORE and build it together.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading6-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was 14 years old, a freshman in high school in Brooklyn, on September 11, 2001. I remember the confusion in our classroom as the news broke, and then the visceral horror of standing with other students at a window, watching smoke darken the sky over Lower Manhattan.<br/><br/>\n<p>That day is etched in my memory not just for the tragedy, but for what followed, a city and a community coming together with profound resilience and solidarity. We saw the best of humanity in the first responders and neighbors helping neighbors.<br/><br/>\r\nBut we also saw how that unity was exploited to justify endless wars, surveillance, and the erosion of our civil liberties. That early lesson, that moment of collective trauma can be used to either unite us for the common good or divide us for political gain. It shaped my understanding of power.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nIt taught me that true leadership isn’t about leveraging fear, but about fostering the kind of community care we saw on 9/11 every day for everyone. It’s why I fight for a world where we invest in Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, so that our resilience isn’t just for moments of disaster, but the foundation of our society.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading7-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy very first job was as a carnival worker, a carnie, traveling the East Coast from the age of 15. For five summers, I operated amusement park rides, ran concession stands, and managed game booths from Raleigh NC to Upstate NY. I grew up in the shadows of the Cyclone in Coney Island, so the thrill and hustle of the midway felt like home. I started small, local fairs on Long Island, then bigger gigs like the Erie County Fair and the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. But my favorite was always the Barnstable County Fair on Cape Cod. Those summers were more than a job, they were a crash course in hard work, human connection, and the raw, real struggles of everyday people just trying to get by.<br/><br/>\r\nThat experience, the blisters, the cold nights, the conversations with families spending their last dollars for a moment of joy, shaped who I am today. It taught me that dignity isn’t found in a title or a bank account, but in showing up, serving others, and fighting for a world where everyone gets a fair shot. While other politicians learn politics from lobbyists and donors, I learned mine from the midway, and the service industry and I’m bringing that fight to Congress.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading8-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy favorite book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a profound lesson in listening to your heart and pursuing your 'Personal Legend', a lesson that mirrors my own journey from a server and artist to a candidate for Congress.<br/><br/>\n<p>The book teaches that the universe conspires to help those pursuing their destiny, but only if they have the courage to start. The quote, 'I've discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve,' has always resonated with me. It speaks to the transformative power of stepping far outside your comfort zone to chase what seems unattainable.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nFor me, that ‘impossible’ task is challenging the political establishment. This campaign is my Personal Legend. It’s about having the courage to build the world we want to live in, one where workers are paid their worth, housing is a human right, and our leaders are beholden to people, not corporate PACs. The Alchemist reminds us that the treasure isn’t just the destination; it’s the person we become by daring to make the journey.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading9-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would be Buffy the Vampire Slayer.<br/><br/>\n<p>On the surface, she was just a girl who wanted a normal life, to go to school, hang out with her friends, and not have the weight of the world on her shoulders. But she was called to be something more, a protector. She embodied a unique strength that was both powerful and deeply compassionate.<br/><br/>\r\nI see my own story in hers. I 'm a normal guy, who just wanted to build a happy creative life. But, like Buffy, I looked around and saw the real monsters threatening our community, the corporate vampires sucking our economy dry, the political demons sacrificing the many for the few, and the systemic evils that prey on the vulnerable.<br/><br/>\r\nBuffy taught me that true courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the determination to do what’s right despite it. She sacrificed everything, not for power or glory, but for the greater good. That is the spirit I want to bring to Congress. We don’t need another career politician, we need a Slayer, someone with the strength to fight for working families, the heart to protect the marginalized, and the unwavering resolve to stand up to the forces of greed and corruption.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nMy campaign isn’t about me. It’s about awakening the Slayer in all of us, the power we have when we stand together to say, ‘No more. This ends here.’\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading10-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLosing both of my parents by the time I was 21 was a profound struggle that reshaped my entire world. I was the youngest of four, still at home with my mother, and in a single blink, the foundation of my life was gone. While I was fortunate to have a few incredible people step in, the feeling of being suddenly alone, forced to navigate adulthood’s hardest challenges on my own left a lasting mark. That experience with abandonment, even though it was never anyone’s choice, instilled in me a deep understanding of what it means to be vulnerable and left behind by systems that should offer support.<br/><br/>\r\nThat struggle is why I fight so fiercely today. I know the sound of silence when you have no one to call for help. I know the weight of rent when there’s no safety net. I channel that experience into my work because no one in our community should ever have to face their darkest moments alone. It’s why I believe so passionately in building a society with stronger social safety net, where healthcare, housing, and dignity are guaranteed rights, not luxuries. My pain forged my purpose, to ensure that everyone has the support I lacked from the system, and that no one is left to navigate life’s hardest blows on their own.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading11-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe U.S. House’s uniqueness lies in its constitutional power to represent the people directly, not corporations, not lobbies, and not foreign interests. It is the only institution where every member is elected every two years, making it the most immediate instrument of the people’s will. It holds the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and hold the powerful accountable through investigation and subpoena.<br/><br/>\r\nYet today, that uniqueness has been corrupted. The House should be the people’s house, but too often, it serves as a stock exchange for corporate donors and political favors. I’m running to return it to its purpose: a place where working people like waiters, artists, and caregivers have a voice, not just Wall Street and war lobbies. Real power belongs to the people. It’s time we take it back.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading12-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo. I believe it is more beneficial for representatives to have experience in the lives of the people they represent.<br/><br/>\n<p>Career politicians have created a system that works for them and their donors, but fails the rest of us. They are experts in navigating the corridors of power, but have forgotten how to navigate the struggles of a single parent choosing between rent and groceries, or a server relying on tips to make ends meet.<br/><br/>\r\nMy experience isn't from a political internship or a lobbyist's office. It's from a lifetime of service, serving meals, working concession stands, and working three jobs to survive. I’ve navigated the same broken systems my neighbors face every day. That lived experience is not a disadvantage; it is the essential qualification that is missing in Congress.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nWe don't need more insiders who are skilled at maintaining the status quo. We need outsiders who are ready to disrupt it. I don't owe anything to the corporate PACs or the political establishment. My only loyalty is to the working people, and that is the most valuable experience any representative can have.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading13-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe greatest challenge we face is the hostile takeover of our democracy by a class of oligarchs and corporate elites who profit from keeping the rest of us in a state of crisis. This isn't a single issue but the root cause of multiple, interconnected threats.<br/><br/>\n<p>First, the collapse of economic dignity. We are becoming a nation of servants and masters. Wages can't keep up with rent, medical bills, or groceries. This is by design. Until we abolish poverty wages, tax extreme wealth, and guarantee housing and healthcare as human rights, the American Dream will remain a myth.<br/><br/>\r\nSecond, the rise of fascism. The project to overturn democracy did not end with Trump's election; it accelerated. We are witnessing a coordinated attack on voting rights, bodily autonomy, and free speech, all fueled by a well-funded movement that must be defeated at the ballot box and in the streets.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nFinally, a crisis of moral clarity. From enabling genocide in Gaza to ignoring the existential threat of climate change, our foreign and domestic policy is dictated by lobbyists, not by the values of the people. We have lost our way. Our greatest challenge is to choose: will we be a nation that serves the interests of capital, or one that fights for humanity? I know which side I'm on.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading14-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo. Two years is a strategic flaw that forces representatives into a perpetual cycle of fundraising, not governing. It prioritizes the interests of big donors over the needs of working-class constituents.<br/><br/>\n<p>I’ve seen this corrupting influence firsthand. In the service industry, you learn to spot who a person is really working for. In Congress, the two-year term means politicians are constantly chasing cash from corporate PACs and lobbyists just to survive the next election. This system isn't designed for public service; it's designed for perpetual campaigning on a donor-funded treadmill.<br/><br/>\r\nWe need term lengths that allow representatives to actually do the job they were elected to do, build long-term policy, hold real oversight hearings, and be bold without fear of immediately offending deep-pocketed special interests. A four-year term, aligned with the presidential cycle, would create more stability and let lawmakers focus on solving problems, not just dialing for dollars.<br/><br/>\r\nHowever, longer terms must be paired with strict term limits to prevent the creation of a permanent political class. True accountability shouldn't come every two years through a money-saturated election, but through a system where public service is a temporary duty, not a career. We need citizen legislators, like waiters, artists, and teachers, who serve their term and then return to their communities, not career politicians who sell out to stay in power.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nMy loyalty is to the people, not the donor class. I support moving to a four-year term for Representatives to break the fundraising frenzy and ensure we focus on people, not politics.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading15-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe strict term limits are essential to dismantling the corrupt, careerist political machine in Washington. The founders envisioned a citizen legislature, not a permanent ruling class. When politicians spend decades in office, they inevitably stop serving the people and start serving the lobbyists and corporate PACs that fund their perpetual reelection.<br/><br/>\n<p>My support for term limits isn't abstract, I’ve seen the damage. I’ve watched our needs be ignored while our representative climbed the leadership ladder by pleasing donors, not constituents. I support a maximum of 12 years of total service in the U.S. Congress (6 terms in the House, 2 terms in the Senate). This is enough time to make a real impact without becoming addicted to power and disconnected from the everyday struggles of working-class families.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nTrue public service is a temporary duty, not a lifetime career. I pledge to serve no more than six terms in the House and will fight to make this reform a reality. It’s time to return power to the people and ensure our government is led by everyday Americans, not professional politicians.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading16-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI draw inspiration from Future NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, not because I seek to replicate his path, but because he embodies a politics of unapologetic principle and material solidarity that is the future.<br/><br/>\n<p>Like him, I believe elected office should be a tool for class struggle, not career advancement. Mamdani didn’t water down his ideals to fit into the political establishment, he forced the establishment to confront the needs of working people. From fighting for universal healthcare and tenant protections to challenging corporate power, he has shown that it’s possible to govern with conviction, not compromise.<br/><br/>\r\nMy background is different, I’m a Coney Island NYCHA kid, a service worker, and an artist who scraped by on tips and gigs, but our mission is the same - to build a New York where no one has to choose between rent and groceries, where no tenant fears eviction, and where no politician funds genocide abroad while ignoring suffering at home.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI’m running to continue what organizers like Zohran have proven, that the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power. I won’t just speak truth to power, I’ll transfer it.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading17-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOne of the conversations that pushed me to running was with a single mother and home health aide, who told me, she didn’t vote because no one on that ballot has ever lived her life. Her story isn’t unique, it’s the story of our district. People are working two or three jobs, choosing between rent and insulin, and watching politicians take millions from corporate PACs while their own lives get harder. They feel invisible because, to the political establishment, they are.<br/><br/>\n<p>That’s why Zohran Mamdani’s win resonated so deeply with a lot of us. It wasn’t just a policy shift, it was the return of a feeling many thought was lost, hope. It proved that when people see a reflection of their own struggles in a candidate, they engage. They believe their vote matters because they finally matter to their representative.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nMy campaign is built on that lesson. I’m not a career politician. I’m a former waiter, a NYCHA kid, and an artist. I’ve lived the stories so many in our community share. I’m running to give the unseen a voice and the unheard a reason to believe again. This isn’t about my story, it’s about ensuring every single one of theirs is finally heard in Congress.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading18-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCompromise is a tool, not a virtue. It is necessary for the day-to-day functioning of government, but it is desirable only when it moves us toward justice, not when it merely maintains a corrupt status quo.<br/><br/>\n<p>I will never compromise on the fundamental rights of the people. The right to a living wage, the right to healthcare, the right to housing, and the right to live free from genocide abroad or police brutality at home. We have compromised on these issues for decades, and the result is a system where billionaires and lobbyists win while working-class families lose.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nOur elected officials have built a careers on compromising our values for corporate cash. True leadership isn’t finding the midpoint between right and wrong, it is fighting relentlessly for what is right. I will work with anyone to deliver for the people, but I will not barter away our dignity or our future. NY-8 will send me to Congress to win, not to cut deals that leave them behind.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading19-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe House's power to originate revenue bills is our most potent tool to tax the rich and fund justice, and I’ll wield it unapologetically. My first priority will be introducing a Tax The Billionaires Act to raise revenue through a 90% marginal tax on incomes over $10 million, a Wall Street speculation fee, and closing corporate loopholes. These funds will directly finance:<br/><br/>\n<p>Medicare for All<br/>\r\nFederal rent control &amp; NYCHA repairs<br/>\r\nA $30hr minimum wage<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI’ll block any bill that raises revenue from working people instead of corporations. This power isn’t a procedural footnote, it’s a mandate to force the wealthy to finally pay their share, and I will use it to make them do just that.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading20-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe U.S. House must wield its investigative powers as a scalpel to dissect corruption and a sledgehammer to smash the systems exploiting working families.<br/><br/>\n<p>1- Subpoena Power for the People- We will launch immediate investigations into the price-gouging landlords and private equity firms draining NYCHA dry, forcing them to testify under oath.<br/><br/>\r\n2- End Corporate Impunity- I will push to form a committee to investigate the war profiteers and weapons manufacturers fueling genocide in Gaza, and subpoena the CEOs of pharmaceutical companies for their role in opioid deaths and insulin price-fixing.<br/><br/>\r\n3- Hold the Judiciary Accountable- The House must investigate the corruption and overt politicking of a Supreme Court captured by billionaire donors.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nFor too long, these powers have been used to protect the powerful. Under my leadership, they will be used to protect the people and hold the ruling class to account.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading21-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tN/A\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading22-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tCandidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading22-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’ll never forget a woman in her 60s, a lifelong NYCHA resident in Coney Island, who told me through tears about choosing between her insulin and her grandchild’s birthday gift. Like so many of us she worked her entire life, but now her rent was being raised again. She said, “I feel like I’m just a number to them, not a person.”<br/><br/>\n<p>Her story isn’t an outlier, it’s the rule. It’s a pain I know intimately, having grown up in those same projects and worked service jobs my whole life. I’ve felt that same powerlessness.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nBut her story is also why I’m running. That feeling of being invisible to the politicians and donors who are supposed to represent you. It ends now. We don’t need leaders who merely hear these stories, we need one who has lived them. I will fight for Medicare for All and rent control not as abstract policies, but as the literal survival of the people I grew up with. In Congress, I won’t just listen, I will remember, I will bring about real change. And I will fight like hell to make it happen.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading23-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is an accomplishment that you are proud of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading23-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy greatest accomplishment isn’t a trophy or a title, it’s surviving, learning, and turning struggle into purpose. As a high school dropout and orphaned NYCHA kid from Coney Island, I fought for every inch of my education while working full-time in restaurants and food trucks. At 38, I earned my MBA from Brooklyn College, not to join the elite, but to expose how the system they built is rigged against working people like us.<br/><br/>\n<p>That degree wasn’t just a personal victory, it was a weapon. It armed me with the tools to decode the economic violence inflicted on our class, from tipped wage exploitation, to corporate landlord greed, to scientifically studied marketing manipulation meant to exploit us. Now, I’m using that knowledge to fight for a world where no one has to choose between rent and food, where servers keep their tips and earn a living wage, and where families aren’t evicted so billionaires can buy another brownstone.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nMy accomplishment is proof, we don’t need their permission to lead. We only need the courage to turn our pain into power.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading24-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse24-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading24-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse24-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tArtificial intelligence is a transformative force that must serve humanity, not just corporate profits. The U.S. government has a critical duty to ensure AI is developed and used ethically and equitably. This cannot be left in the hands of billionaires and unaccountable tech giants whose primary motive is maximizing shareholder value, not public good.<br/><br/>\n<p>The federal government must act as a strict regulator and democratic guardian. This means:<br/><br/>\r\nBanning AI in lethal autonomous weapons and for mass surveillance.<br/><br/>\r\nPassing strong federal laws to prevent the algorithmic exploitation of workers, biased policing, and housing discrimination.<br/><br/>\r\nProtecting consumers and workers by ensuring AI automation does not come at the cost of mass layoffs without a just transition.<br/><br/>\r\nInvesting in public-interest AI for healthcare, climate science, and education, ensuring these tools are a public utility, not a private commodity.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nIn short, the role of government is to ensure the AI revolution uplifts all of us, not just the wealthiest few. We must harness its potential while fiercely protecting the dignity, privacy, and economic security of every person.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-361714-2025-09-05\" id=\"heading25-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse25-361714-2025-09-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading25-361714-2025-09-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse25-361714-2025-09-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would fight for a Voter Bill of Rights to end voter suppression and make our democracy truly representative. My legislation would:<br/><br/>\n<p>1- Mandate National Automatic Voter Registration for every citizen at age 18, through state and federal agencies.<br/><br/>\r\n2- Make Election Day a National Holiday and require all states to offer at least two weeks of early voting, including weekends, to ensure every working person can cast a ballot.<br/><br/>\r\n3- Ban Gerrymandering by creating independent, non-partisan citizen redistricting commissions in all 50 states to draw fair congressional districts.<br/><br/>\r\n4- Restore the Voting Rights Act by reinstating federal preclearance for states with a history of discriminatory voting laws, preventing new forms of suppression before they happen.<br/><br/>\r\n5- Secure Our Elections from Corruption by banning state legislators from overturning certified election results and providing federal funding to upgrade voting infrastructure against cyber threats.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nOur democracy is broken by design to keep the powerful in power. This legislation would dismantle those barriers, ensuring elections are decided by voters, not politicians. As someone who has never been taken seriously by the political machine, I will ensure every voice is heard and every vote is counted.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nVance Bostic completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bostic's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Born and raised in Brooklyn’s Coney Island projects, I know struggle firsthand. Lost both by 21, I’ve hustled as a carnie, waiter, line cook, and in food-truck in, surviving on tips while chasing my passions as a photographer and musician and working in nightlife as a photographer. After years of watching bosses exploit workers, I earned my MBA at 38, Gaining exposure to how capitalism rigs the system against the people. I’m fed up and ready to fight back. I’m not a politician. I’m a servant of the people, ALL people. From NYCHA tenants, to gig workers, and artists crushed crippling standards. For too long people have not been able to relate with their representatives. We need hope. I’ve lived every fight we’re in o\tSurvived NYCHA neglect, wage theft, and the hypocrisy of “progressive” Democrats who take PAC cash while Brooklyn starves.\r\n o\tWent from high school dropout at 18 to MBA at 38 - only to fully see the system is designed to crush us. Now, I’m here to break it. I’m not just a candidate – I am NYC’s repressed workforce personified. I've lived the grind. Every photo I’ve taken, every dish I’ve plated, every track I’ve made is proof I am the real deal. With no corporate cash and no apologies, I bring Brooklyn’s grit, artistry, and unyielding fight to a seat too long held by corporate puppets. Change is HERE! I will gut every single puppet of the establishment, through every single crack and craves. Enough is enough now. NO MORE! E Pluribus Unum! Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? In the richest city in the world, no one should have to choose between their passion and their survival. Yet artists and gig workers are systematically locked out of the basic protections like healthcare, stable pay, and the retirement that every worker deserves. As someone who has been paid in 'exposure' and worked at the mercy of an algorithm, I know this isn't a choice; it's exploitation. That ends now. We are launching a fight for an Artist & Gig Worker Bill of Rights. This is about more than a paycheck; it's about our power. It's about saying that health insurance shouldn't chain you to a toxic job. That no delivery driver should fear a hospital bill more than a car accident. No New Yorker should have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. Yet for decades, politicians have treated housing like a stock market, letting corporate landlords and Wall Street speculators evict, displace, and exploit our communities for profit.\r\n\r\nHousing is not a commodity for Wall Street to speculate on - it is a fundamental human right. No one should spend over 30% of their income on rent or live in fear of eviction and displacement. We must house Humanity with dignity, not criminalize poverty. \r\n\r\nWe don’t need more empty promises. We need a Congressmember who’s lived in the cracks of a broken system and is ready to rebuild it from the ground up. For twenty years, I’ve survived on tips and empty promises from bosses who told me my smile would pay the bills. I’ve worked triple shifts and still struggled to afford the city I call home. So many of my family and friends have been forced to move because they can't afford the city. \r\n\r\nToo many of our Politicians don’t know that choice. They are funded by the same entities that designed this poverty we live under. Funded by the same corporations that lobby our Representatives to keep our wages low.\r\n\r\nWe are the collected frustration of the workforce who are told we aren’t worth a living income. Our fight for a $30/hour minimum wage isn’t just policy. It’s a personal promise, it’s a vow: in the richest nation on Earth. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I'm passionate about getting money out of politics and making it easier for anyone to get into office. I’ve lived under a system where politicians listen to donors, not the people they work for. I’ve served lobbyists their meals while they funded campaigns that kept my wages at poverty-level and my bills unaffordable. This isn’t democracy, it’s an auction. When only the rich can afford to run, we get government by the wealthy, for the wealthy. I’m fighting to tear down the paywall on public service so that the people serving tables can finally have a seat at them too. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to the courageous moral leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His life’s work embodies a quote that guides me daily: 'We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.' In this moment, as we watch our nation fracture under the weight of corporate greed and rising authoritarianism, Dr. King’s example is not just inspirational, it is a necessary blueprint. He taught us that true leadership requires unwavering moral clarity and the courage to confront oppressive systems, not accommodate them. I seek to follow his example by centering humanity over profit, justice over power, and bold truth over political convenience. My campaign is built on this principle, that our leaders must be of the people, by the people, for the people, and dedicated entirely to the fight for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world. We don't need more career politicians, we need servants of the people, driven by love and a fierce commitment to justice for all. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? The most important characteristic is unbreakable integrity, a loyalty to people over profit. An elected official must owe their allegiance solely to the people they serve, not to corporate PACs or lobbyists. They must be servant leaders, not power brokers. For me, that’s not an abstract idea. After a lifetime in service jobs and earning my MBA, I’ve seen the system from both sides of the counter. This means: •\tAuthenticity- Voters are tired of polished politicians. They deserve someone genuine, who speaks plainly, boldly, and owns their entire story, the good and the bad. •\tLived Experience- Officials must know the weight of bills and the stress of debt because they’ve lived it. •\tMoral Courage- The willingness to fight for what's right, not what's easy, even when it means standing alone. •\tFidelity to The People- This means refusing all corporate PAC money. My only obligation will be to the people. •\tRadical Empathy- The ability to not just hear but truly feel the struggles of working-class and marginalized people because you've lived them yourself. •\tUnapologetic Advocacy- Principle is useless without the courage to act on it. It means being a voice for the voiceless, without backing down when the spotlight gets hot. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? I believe the core responsibility of a U.S. Representative is service, not self-interest. 1- Loyalty to People, Not Donors- The sole duty is to represent constituents' needs. This requires rejecting all corporate PAC money. You cannot fight for renters while taking real estate cash or protect workers while funded by union-busters. 2- Courageous Legislation- The job is to fight for transformative bills that solve root problems like Medicare for All, federal rent control, and a $30hr living wage, not just cast safe votes. 3- Radical Transparency- Hold town halls in communities, not closed doors. Publish meetings. Explain votes in plain language. If you meet with lobbyists, you must also meet with those they exploit. 4- Constituent Service as Crisis Response- The district office must be a first responder, actively helping people secure VA benefits, Social Security, and disaster relief, the unglamorous, essential work of governance. Be a warrior for the district and a servant to its people. Right now, NY-8 has a representative who serves his donors. I will serve our people. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy where we, as a society, finally redefine success. A legacy not measured by the wealth we generate or the profits we build, but by our collective humanitarian efforts, our commitment to sustainability, and our dedication to elevating humanity. My legacy would be a world where the needs of the many are no longer held hostage by the greed of a few billionaires. It would be a future where we are one step closer to uniting the human race as a singular species on this rock we call Earth, a species that cares for its people and its planet with equal passion. This pursuit is why I’m in this fight. We must change. We must do better. And I intend to spend my time proving that a better world isn’t just possible, it’s within our reach if we have the courage to say NO MORE and build it together. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I was 14 years old, a freshman in high school in Brooklyn, on September 11, 2001. I remember the confusion in our classroom as the news broke, and then the visceral horror of standing with other students at a window, watching smoke darken the sky over Lower Manhattan. That day is etched in my memory not just for the tragedy, but for what followed, a city and a community coming together with profound resilience and solidarity. We saw the best of humanity in the first responders and neighbors helping neighbors. But we also saw how that unity was exploited to justify endless wars, surveillance, and the erosion of our civil liberties. That early lesson, that moment of collective trauma can be used to either unite us for the common good or divide us for political gain. It shaped my understanding of power. It taught me that true leadership isn’t about leveraging fear, but about fostering the kind of community care we saw on 9/11 every day for everyone. It’s why I fight for a world where we invest in Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, so that our resilience isn’t just for moments of disaster, but the foundation of our society. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My very first job was as a carnival worker, a carnie, traveling the East Coast from the age of 15. For five summers, I operated amusement park rides, ran concession stands, and managed game booths from Raleigh NC to Upstate NY. I grew up in the shadows of the Cyclone in Coney Island, so the thrill and hustle of the midway felt like home. I started small, local fairs on Long Island, then bigger gigs like the Erie County Fair and the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. But my favorite was always the Barnstable County Fair on Cape Cod. Those summers were more than a job, they were a crash course in hard work, human connection, and the raw, real struggles of everyday people just trying to get by. That experience, the blisters, the cold nights, the conversations with families spending their last dollars for a moment of joy, shaped who I am today. It taught me that dignity isn’t found in a title or a bank account, but in showing up, serving others, and fighting for a world where everyone gets a fair shot. While other politicians learn politics from lobbyists and donors, I learned mine from the midway, and the service industry and I’m bringing that fight to Congress. What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a profound lesson in listening to your heart and pursuing your 'Personal Legend', a lesson that mirrors my own journey from a server and artist to a candidate for Congress. The book teaches that the universe conspires to help those pursuing their destiny, but only if they have the courage to start. The quote, 'I've discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve,' has always resonated with me. It speaks to the transformative power of stepping far outside your comfort zone to chase what seems unattainable. For me, that ‘impossible’ task is challenging the political establishment. This campaign is my Personal Legend. It’s about having the courage to build the world we want to live in, one where workers are paid their worth, housing is a human right, and our leaders are beholden to people, not corporate PACs. The Alchemist reminds us that the treasure isn’t just the destination; it’s the person we become by daring to make the journey. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? I would be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. On the surface, she was just a girl who wanted a normal life, to go to school, hang out with her friends, and not have the weight of the world on her shoulders. But she was called to be something more, a protector. She embodied a unique strength that was both powerful and deeply compassionate. I see my own story in hers. I 'm a normal guy, who just wanted to build a happy creative life. But, like Buffy, I looked around and saw the real monsters threatening our community, the corporate vampires sucking our economy dry, the political demons sacrificing the many for the few, and the systemic evils that prey on the vulnerable. Buffy taught me that true courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the determination to do what’s right despite it. She sacrificed everything, not for power or glory, but for the greater good. That is the spirit I want to bring to Congress. We don’t need another career politician, we need a Slayer, someone with the strength to fight for working families, the heart to protect the marginalized, and the unwavering resolve to stand up to the forces of greed and corruption. My campaign isn’t about me. It’s about awakening the Slayer in all of us, the power we have when we stand together to say, ‘No more. This ends here.’ What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Losing both of my parents by the time I was 21 was a profound struggle that reshaped my entire world. I was the youngest of four, still at home with my mother, and in a single blink, the foundation of my life was gone. While I was fortunate to have a few incredible people step in, the feeling of being suddenly alone, forced to navigate adulthood’s hardest challenges on my own left a lasting mark. That experience with abandonment, even though it was never anyone’s choice, instilled in me a deep understanding of what it means to be vulnerable and left behind by systems that should offer support. That struggle is why I fight so fiercely today. I know the sound of silence when you have no one to call for help. I know the weight of rent when there’s no safety net. I channel that experience into my work because no one in our community should ever have to face their darkest moments alone. It’s why I believe so passionately in building a society with stronger social safety net, where healthcare, housing, and dignity are guaranteed rights, not luxuries. My pain forged my purpose, to ensure that everyone has the support I lacked from the system, and that no one is left to navigate life’s hardest blows on their own. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The U.S. House’s uniqueness lies in its constitutional power to represent the people directly, not corporations, not lobbies, and not foreign interests. It is the only institution where every member is elected every two years, making it the most immediate instrument of the people’s will. It holds the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and hold the powerful accountable through investigation and subpoena. Yet today, that uniqueness has been corrupted. The House should be the people’s house, but too often, it serves as a stock exchange for corporate donors and political favors. I’m running to return it to its purpose: a place where working people like waiters, artists, and caregivers have a voice, not just Wall Street and war lobbies. Real power belongs to the people. It’s time we take it back. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? No. I believe it is more beneficial for representatives to have experience in the lives of the people they represent. Career politicians have created a system that works for them and their donors, but fails the rest of us. They are experts in navigating the corridors of power, but have forgotten how to navigate the struggles of a single parent choosing between rent and groceries, or a server relying on tips to make ends meet. My experience isn't from a political internship or a lobbyist's office. It's from a lifetime of service, serving meals, working concession stands, and working three jobs to survive. I’ve navigated the same broken systems my neighbors face every day. That lived experience is not a disadvantage; it is the essential qualification that is missing in Congress. We don't need more insiders who are skilled at maintaining the status quo. We need outsiders who are ready to disrupt it. I don't owe anything to the corporate PACs or the political establishment. My only loyalty is to the working people, and that is the most valuable experience any representative can have. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? The greatest challenge we face is the hostile takeover of our democracy by a class of oligarchs and corporate elites who profit from keeping the rest of us in a state of crisis. This isn't a single issue but the root cause of multiple, interconnected threats. First, the collapse of economic dignity. We are becoming a nation of servants and masters. Wages can't keep up with rent, medical bills, or groceries. This is by design. Until we abolish poverty wages, tax extreme wealth, and guarantee housing and healthcare as human rights, the American Dream will remain a myth. Second, the rise of fascism. The project to overturn democracy did not end with Trump's election; it accelerated. We are witnessing a coordinated attack on voting rights, bodily autonomy, and free speech, all fueled by a well-funded movement that must be defeated at the ballot box and in the streets. Finally, a crisis of moral clarity. From enabling genocide in Gaza to ignoring the existential threat of climate change, our foreign and domestic policy is dictated by lobbyists, not by the values of the people. We have lost our way. Our greatest challenge is to choose: will we be a nation that serves the interests of capital, or one that fights for humanity? I know which side I'm on. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? No. Two years is a strategic flaw that forces representatives into a perpetual cycle of fundraising, not governing. It prioritizes the interests of big donors over the needs of working-class constituents. I’ve seen this corrupting influence firsthand. In the service industry, you learn to spot who a person is really working for. In Congress, the two-year term means politicians are constantly chasing cash from corporate PACs and lobbyists just to survive the next election. This system isn't designed for public service; it's designed for perpetual campaigning on a donor-funded treadmill. We need term lengths that allow representatives to actually do the job they were elected to do, build long-term policy, hold real oversight hearings, and be bold without fear of immediately offending deep-pocketed special interests. A four-year term, aligned with the presidential cycle, would create more stability and let lawmakers focus on solving problems, not just dialing for dollars. However, longer terms must be paired with strict term limits to prevent the creation of a permanent political class. True accountability shouldn't come every two years through a money-saturated election, but through a system where public service is a temporary duty, not a career. We need citizen legislators, like waiters, artists, and teachers, who serve their term and then return to their communities, not career politicians who sell out to stay in power. My loyalty is to the people, not the donor class. I support moving to a four-year term for Representatives to break the fundraising frenzy and ensure we focus on people, not politics. What are your thoughts on term limits? I believe strict term limits are essential to dismantling the corrupt, careerist political machine in Washington. The founders envisioned a citizen legislature, not a permanent ruling class. When politicians spend decades in office, they inevitably stop serving the people and start serving the lobbyists and corporate PACs that fund their perpetual reelection. My support for term limits isn't abstract, I’ve seen the damage. I’ve watched our needs be ignored while our representative climbed the leadership ladder by pleasing donors, not constituents. I support a maximum of 12 years of total service in the U.S. Congress (6 terms in the House, 2 terms in the Senate). This is enough time to make a real impact without becoming addicted to power and disconnected from the everyday struggles of working-class families. True public service is a temporary duty, not a lifetime career. I pledge to serve no more than six terms in the House and will fight to make this reform a reality. It’s time to return power to the people and ensure our government is led by everyday Americans, not professional politicians. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? I draw inspiration from Future NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, not because I seek to replicate his path, but because he embodies a politics of unapologetic principle and material solidarity that is the future. Like him, I believe elected office should be a tool for class struggle, not career advancement. Mamdani didn’t water down his ideals to fit into the political establishment, he forced the establishment to confront the needs of working people. From fighting for universal healthcare and tenant protections to challenging corporate power, he has shown that it’s possible to govern with conviction, not compromise. My background is different, I’m a Coney Island NYCHA kid, a service worker, and an artist who scraped by on tips and gigs, but our mission is the same - to build a New York where no one has to choose between rent and groceries, where no tenant fears eviction, and where no politician funds genocide abroad while ignoring suffering at home. I’m running to continue what organizers like Zohran have proven, that the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power. I won’t just speak truth to power, I’ll transfer it. Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? One of the conversations that pushed me to running was with a single mother and home health aide, who told me, she didn’t vote because no one on that ballot has ever lived her life. Her story isn’t unique, it’s the story of our district. People are working two or three jobs, choosing between rent and insulin, and watching politicians take millions from corporate PACs while their own lives get harder. They feel invisible because, to the political establishment, they are. That’s why Zohran Mamdani’s win resonated so deeply with a lot of us. It wasn’t just a policy shift, it was the return of a feeling many thought was lost, hope. It proved that when people see a reflection of their own struggles in a candidate, they engage. They believe their vote matters because they finally matter to their representative. My campaign is built on that lesson. I’m not a career politician. I’m a former waiter, a NYCHA kid, and an artist. I’ve lived the stories so many in our community share. I’m running to give the unseen a voice and the unheard a reason to believe again. This isn’t about my story, it’s about ensuring every single one of theirs is finally heard in Congress. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Compromise is a tool, not a virtue. It is necessary for the day-to-day functioning of government, but it is desirable only when it moves us toward justice, not when it merely maintains a corrupt status quo. I will never compromise on the fundamental rights of the people. The right to a living wage, the right to healthcare, the right to housing, and the right to live free from genocide abroad or police brutality at home. We have compromised on these issues for decades, and the result is a system where billionaires and lobbyists win while working-class families lose. Our elected officials have built a careers on compromising our values for corporate cash. True leadership isn’t finding the midpoint between right and wrong, it is fighting relentlessly for what is right. I will work with anyone to deliver for the people, but I will not barter away our dignity or our future. NY-8 will send me to Congress to win, not to cut deals that leave them behind. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? The House's power to originate revenue bills is our most potent tool to tax the rich and fund justice, and I’ll wield it unapologetically. My first priority will be introducing a Tax The Billionaires Act to raise revenue through a 90% marginal tax on incomes over $10 million, a Wall Street speculation fee, and closing corporate loopholes. These funds will directly finance: Medicare for All Federal rent control & NYCHA repairs A $30hr minimum wage I’ll block any bill that raises revenue from working people instead of corporations. This power isn’t a procedural footnote, it’s a mandate to force the wealthy to finally pay their share, and I will use it to make them do just that. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? The U.S. House must wield its investigative powers as a scalpel to dissect corruption and a sledgehammer to smash the systems exploiting working families. 1- Subpoena Power for the People- We will launch immediate investigations into the price-gouging landlords and private equity firms draining NYCHA dry, forcing them to testify under oath. 2- End Corporate Impunity- I will push to form a committee to investigate the war profiteers and weapons manufacturers fueling genocide in Gaza, and subpoena the CEOs of pharmaceutical companies for their role in opioid deaths and insulin price-fixing. 3- Hold the Judiciary Accountable- The House must investigate the corruption and overt politicking of a Supreme Court captured by billionaire donors. For too long, these powers have been used to protect the powerful. Under my leadership, they will be used to protect the people and hold the ruling class to account. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? N/A Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable? I’ll never forget a woman in her 60s, a lifelong NYCHA resident in Coney Island, who told me through tears about choosing between her insulin and her grandchild’s birthday gift. Like so many of us she worked her entire life, but now her rent was being raised again. She said, “I feel like I’m just a number to them, not a person.” Her story isn’t an outlier, it’s the rule. It’s a pain I know intimately, having grown up in those same projects and worked service jobs my whole life. I’ve felt that same powerlessness. But her story is also why I’m running. That feeling of being invisible to the politicians and donors who are supposed to represent you. It ends now. We don’t need leaders who merely hear these stories, we need one who has lived them. I will fight for Medicare for All and rent control not as abstract policies, but as the literal survival of the people I grew up with. In Congress, I won’t just listen, I will remember, I will bring about real change. And I will fight like hell to make it happen. What is an accomplishment that you are proud of? My greatest accomplishment isn’t a trophy or a title, it’s surviving, learning, and turning struggle into purpose. As a high school dropout and orphaned NYCHA kid from Coney Island, I fought for every inch of my education while working full-time in restaurants and food trucks. At 38, I earned my MBA from Brooklyn College, not to join the elite, but to expose how the system they built is rigged against working people like us. That degree wasn’t just a personal victory, it was a weapon. It armed me with the tools to decode the economic violence inflicted on our class, from tipped wage exploitation, to corporate landlord greed, to scientifically studied marketing manipulation meant to exploit us. Now, I’m using that knowledge to fight for a world where no one has to choose between rent and food, where servers keep their tips and earn a living wage, and where families aren’t evicted so billionaires can buy another brownstone. My accomplishment is proof, we don’t need their permission to lead. We only need the courage to turn our pain into power. What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence is a transformative force that must serve humanity, not just corporate profits. The U.S. government has a critical duty to ensure AI is developed and used ethically and equitably. This cannot be left in the hands of billionaires and unaccountable tech giants whose primary motive is maximizing shareholder value, not public good. The federal government must act as a strict regulator and democratic guardian. This means: Banning AI in lethal autonomous weapons and for mass surveillance. Passing strong federal laws to prevent the algorithmic exploitation of workers, biased policing, and housing discrimination. Protecting consumers and workers by ensuring AI automation does not come at the cost of mass layoffs without a just transition. Investing in public-interest AI for healthcare, climate science, and education, ensuring these tools are a public utility, not a private commodity. In short, the role of government is to ensure the AI revolution uplifts all of us, not just the wealthiest few. We must harness its potential while fiercely protecting the dignity, privacy, and economic security of every person. What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States? I would fight for a Voter Bill of Rights to end voter suppression and make our democracy truly representative. My legislation would: 1- Mandate National Automatic Voter Registration for every citizen at age 18, through state and federal agencies. 2- Make Election Day a National Holiday and require all states to offer at least two weeks of early voting, including weekends, to ensure every working person can cast a ballot. 3- Ban Gerrymandering by creating independent, non-partisan citizen redistricting commissions in all 50 states to draw fair congressional districts. 4- Restore the Voting Rights Act by reinstating federal preclearance for states with a history of discriminatory voting laws, preventing new forms of suppression before they happen. 5- Secure Our Elections from Corruption by banning state legislators from overturning certified election results and providing federal funding to upgrade voting infrastructure against cyber threats. Our democracy is broken by design to keep the powerful in power. This legislation would dismantle those barriers, ensuring elections are decided by voters, not politicians. As someone who has never been taken seriously by the political machine, I will ensure every voice is heard and every vote is counted.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]