Uptown State Assembly Candidate Releases Policy Platform

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — As the primary election for New York State legislators draws closer, candidates are starting to make their final appeals to prospective voters.

Carmen De La Rosa a candidate for the 72nd Assembly District released her policy platform on Tuesday to let voters know where she stands on the issues. The 72nd District spans Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill.

De La Rosa's platform identified a number of key issues she would focus on if elected:

• Preserving affordable housing stock and building new affordable housing responsibly;
• Improving education;
• Protecting and enhancing women’s rights;
• Criminal justice reform;
• Ensuring safe, beautiful streets and parks uptown;
• Supporting mom and pop shops from corporate chains;
• Environmental protection;
• Supporting uptown's LGBTQ community.

"I'm running on my ideas, my experience and my drive to make substantive change for those struggling to make it in upper Manhattan," said Carmen De La Rosa in a statement sent to Patch. "From preserving and creating housing for lower income residents and seniors; to improving our schools and early childhood education programs; to fighting for equal pay and equal rights for women in the work place and beyond, I will be a champion for these issues and more on day one. Uptown needs new, energetic leadership in the Assembly and I am ready to bring the voices of women off the sidelines and into the halls of government."

De La Rosa is challenging incumbent Guillermo Linares for the 72nd District. Linares is a well-known political figure uptown, but has not yet released specific information on his policy platform. The Assemblyman is one of six Democratic members of the legislative body not to sponsor any bills that were passed this year, Politico reported.

One other candidate, George Fernandez, is also running for the seat. Fernandez previously served as the chair and treasurer of Community Board 12.

The primary election held September 13th will determine who ultimately serves in the seat, as no Republicans have filed to run, according to Ballotpedia.

Photo: Courtesy of Carmen De La Rosa