NY State Senate Election 2020: Robert Jackson Defends Seat

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Voters living in Manhattan's 31st state senate district — which stretches from Hudson Yards to Marble Hill — will head to the polls on Nov. 3 to cast their ballot in this year's election races.

On the ballot will be incumbent state Sen. Robert Jackson, who has held the seat since 2019, and Melinda Crump, a Republican from the Upper West Side who is challenging for the seat.

Jackson, who lives in Washington Heights, currently chairs the Cities Committee and is a member of the Civil Service and Pensions, Education, Higher Education, Housing, Construction and Community Development, Labor, and New York City education committees.

He is also a member of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.

The 31st District spans much of Manhattan's west side, including parts of the Garment District, Hell's Kitchen, the Upper West Side, Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem and a slice of Marble Hill in the Bronx.

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.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the primary election to create these profiles.

Robert Jackson

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3)

69

NYC neighborhood of residence

Washington Heights

Position Sought

State Senate

Party Affiliation

Democrat, Working Families Party

Family

Wife Faika, and three grown daughters - a doctor, an educator, and assistant manager for an arts organization

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

NYC Public Schools; BA, SUNY, New Paltz

Occupation

State Senator (2019-present); City Councilmember (2002 – 2013); Regional Director, PEF (1982 - 2001)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

President, Community School Board 6 (CSB6), Co-founder, Campaign for Fiscal Equity; City Councilmember (2002 – 2013); Co-Chair, City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus; Chair, City Council Education Committee; District Leader

Campaign website

https://www.voterobertjackson....

Why are you seeking elective office?

State Senate, District 31

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

Our families and individuals were vulnerable long before the Coronavirus hit, and this health crisis has laid bare so many stark inequities in our society, not just in the availability of health care and the outsized impact on communities of color, but also terrible truths about our criminal justice system, food security, and the inequities of education funding, availability of learning resources, and the opportunity to succeed. We can't accept just getting back to what was, we need to make things better for vulnerable communities through finally fully funding our schools, making health care accessible, protecting tenants and affordable housing, and creating good jobs for people to raise a family.

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 coronavirus pandemic has laid bare so many stark inequities in our society, not just in the availability of health care, but also in our criminal justice system, food security, and the inequities of education funding, and the opportunity to succeed. This fight isn’t just about getting through this and returning to the status quo, we must do better. The Federal response has been a disaster and we need more leadership from the State and City. That’s why I’m fighting in the State Senate for real rent relief, passing the New York Health Act to make healthcare accessible, finally fully fund are public schools so all children have the chance to succeed, and to generate more revenue through taxing billionaires and multi-millionaires. Mask mandates that would likely lead to more inequitable policing of people of color are not the answer. We need leadership.

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?

Throughout my career, I have fought for justice and equality for all and against bigotry and intolerance everywhere. As someone who grew up poor, I intimately understand the destructive power of discrimination, and take the commitment to eradicate it everywhere and for everyone personally. Institutional racism pervades our criminal legal system. Black people are arrested at higher rates, prosecuted at higher rates, and sentenced more harshly than white people convicted for the same crimes. We need more police transparency and accountability. The system has failed too many families and we must bring fundamental and systemic change at every level.

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

My record of fighting for justice and equality for all and against bigotry and intolerance everywhere. As community organizer, tenant leader, City Council leader, and now in the State Senate, I've taken on the tough fights and gotten results to improve our public schools, strengthen rent laws, and increase opportunity for all. I've worked to knock down barriers and advance equality, progressive values and opportunity for all. Many can talk the talk, but you know you can count on me to walk the walk – to stand on principle and fight for what we all believe in... to take on the status quo and fight for the people. That is what I've done and what I will continue to do with your support in the State Senate.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Government must level the playing field and fight for our children, our seniors and those least fortunate. We must give every child the chance to succeed, health care is a right not a privilege, and we must protect affordable housing. We are made strong by our diversity and we must promote equality, justice and fairness. Workers deserve good jobs with good benefits and we all need clean air to breath, clean water to drink and open spaces to enjoy. Those are the principles that have guided me as a labor representative, tenant leader, City Council leader, and now as State Senator

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

Two years ago, I ran for State Senate to end Republican control and change Albany. The movement we started here led to wiping-out the IDC and achieving a large Democratic majority that has enabled us to finally pass important legislation like strengthening rent laws and passing reproductive rights protection, enacting climate change protections, sensible gun laws, election reforms, Child Victims Act, GENDA, the DREAM Act and much, much more. Previously, I served as a Community School Board President, where I launched the Campaign for Fiscal Equality school funding lawsuit, walked 150 miles to Albany to highlight the cause and won a court judgment that awarded $16 billion for NYC public schools, and as a City Councilmember for 12 years where I chaired the Education Committee, sponsored the Small Business Survival Act, and fought for fairness, justice and equality.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Education was my salvation. I wouldn't be here today, if it wasn't for a teacher – Irwin Goldberg, my track coach at Benjamin Franklin High School, who took an interest in me, pointed me in the right direction and made sure I went to college. And that has made all the difference in the world.

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

Being an elected official is truly an honor. It is public service – literally serving the public. I take that trust very seriously. Growing up in upper Manhattan, we didn't have much. I could never have dreamed that one day I would serve on the City Council and in the State Senate. I was able to succeed through hard work, a good education and the help of people in the community. I have worked to give every child this same chance to succeed. I worked as a labor representative and then as a Community School Board President. I got into politics as an outgrowth of my work to improve our schools. I look forward to continuing my work for the people with a second term as State Senator. I ask for your support on November 3rd. Just as important, I want you with me as State Senator -- providing ideas, letting me know what needs to be done and telling me when you disagree. Together, we can continue to make a difference for families today, and for generations to come.