NYC General Election 2020: Santiago-Cano Challenges Maloney

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Voters in New York's 12th Congressional District, which includes much of the Upper East Side and Midtown in Manhattan, Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, and parts of Brooklyn will see three names on their ballot for Congress as they prepare to vote in the Nov. 3 election.

Carolyn Maloney, the incumbent Democrat who has served in Congress since 1993, is being challenged by Carlos Santiago-Cano, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, and Libertarian Steven Kolln.

Santiago-Cano is a Queens native who lives in Astoria, whose professional experience includes owning a property management company and a coffee company.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Scroll down to read Santiago-Cano's responses.

All New York voters may request a mail-in ballot due to the coronavirus pandemic. For those who want to head to the polls, click here to find your poll site. Early voting is available from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1.

Maloney narrowly survived a primary challenge over the summer from Suraj Patel. Read her questionnaire responses from June here.

Carlos Santiago-Cano

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)

31

NYC neighborhood of residence

Astoria

Position Sought

U.S. Congress

Party Affiliation

Republican / Conservative

Family

NONE

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

NO

Education

BARUCH COLLEGE FINANCE MAJOR/POLITICAL SCIENCE MINOR

Occupation

ENTREPRENEUR

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

NONE

Campaign website

WWW.CARLOSFORNY.COM

Why are you seeking elective office?

TO BRING REAL REPRESENTATION AND RESULTS TO THE PEOPLE OF NY 12 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE . PASS A NEW HEALTHCARE LAW THAT REDUCES DRUG PRICES AND COST; CREATE COMPETITION BETWEEN STATES.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

THE STATE RESPONSE TO COVID19 HAS BEEN UNACCEPTABLE. GOV CUOMO FAILED TO KEEP SENIOR CITIZENS SAFE. LIMITING OPERATION OF NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES SHOULD ONLY BE DONE IF THERE IS AN EXTREME INCREASE IN CASES AT A SPECIFIC AREA; FURTHER INDOOR DINING SHOULD BE INCREASED TO 50% FOR AREA WITH LOW CASES. DO NOT FAVOR NATIONWIDE MASK MANDATE.

How would you address the concerns of the Black Lives Matter movement, and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

WE SUPPORT PEACEFUL PROTESTING. HOWEVER LOOTING AND DESTROYING PRIVATE/PUBLIC PROPERTY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE MAJORITY OF POLICE OFFICERS DO A GREAT JOB; WE SUPPORT OUR POLICE AND ENCOURAGE LEGAL ACTION AND CONSEQUENCES FOR THE BAD ACTORS.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I WAS RAISED IN NYC; I ATTENDED NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL; I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR AND NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

LACK OF AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE; BROKEN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM; PUBLIC HOUSING CRUMBLING; SAFETY DECREASING; HOMELESSNESS ON THE RISE.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

URBAN DEVELOPMENT / IMMIGRATION

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

ENTREPRENEUR WITH 2 SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES; GRADUATE FROM NY PUBLIC SCHOOL. CAN RELATE TO THE COMMUNITY

The best advice ever shared with me was:

LEARN FROM YOUR FAILURES

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

WE NEED TERM LIMITS. WE NEED TO VOTE OUT CAREER POLITICIANS THAT HAVE BECOME REPRESENTATIVES OF LOBBYIST AND NOT THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICTS.