Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Brian Romero, New York State Assembly District 34
Four years ago, we wrote up a profile on the candidate for this district. In 2022, that candidate was Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas. At that time, Brian Romero (he/him) was her chief of staff. This year, Jessica decided to run for New York Senate and won her primary in June, and at the same time, Brian ran for Jessica’s Assembly seat, likewise winning the Democratic primary in June.
Brian is a queer Colombian-American millennial and former social worker, psychotherapist, DEI consultant, and social justice activist. Brian has deep roots in his community and is uniquely attuned to the needs of the residents who will be his constituents. Brian’s campaign is held up by three pillars: making the rich pay their fair share, addressing affordability, and protecting our immigrant communities.
Where are you based?
Jackson Heights, NYC
What is your position/what position are you running for?
Assembly Member-elect, NY District 34
How would you summarize your platform?
Making the rich pay their fair share. Trump’s budget cuts are decimating the social safety net including Medicaid, SNAP, housing, student support programs and more. If we are going to mitigate the harm of most of these budget cuts to communities of color, working class communities, and immigrant communities, we must raise revenue. We can do that by passing various pieces of legislation, including increasing the corporate tax, increasing the progressive income tax, a billionaire's tax, a stock transfer tax, and more. This revenue will help us ensure that we can fund basic services like housing, healthcare, employment, public benefits, and more.
Addressing Affordability. We know that housing is the number one reason why Black and Brown communities and working people are being pushed out of New York State. I will advocate for the following issues to improve affordability for all New Yorkers: 1) A $30 living wage by 2030 that is indexed to inflation and the end of all subminimum wages; 2) establish a Social Housing Development Authority because it is time that we stop treating housing like a commodity and instead as the essential human right that it is. 3) Universal Child Care. I will also prioritize supporting Zohran Mamdani in advocating for universal childcare. The average family spends over $20,000 on child care and our state is also experiencing a worker shortage.
Protecting our Immigrant Communities. As the son of immigrants, I will not stand by and watch as ICE kidnaps and detains our neighbors. I will advocate for the passage of the following pieces of legislation to protect our communities:
New York for All, which would disallow coordination between ICE and local law enforcement.
The Access to Representation Act, which would provide indigent immigrants facing removal proceedings a right to legal counsel.
The MELT Act, which would ensure that ICE agents who are conducting operations in New York cannot mask or conceal their identity.
Dignity not Detention Act, which would prohibit state and local government entities from entering into or renewing contracts with ICE for the detention of immigrants.
What inspired you to run?
I was moved to run because of the Trump administration's attacks on my community, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, working class New Yorkers. ICE is increasingly present in my district and my neighbors are afraid. This is happening at the same time as many of them are being priced out and displaced from their homes and as the millionaire and billionaire class is getting more and more rich as my community struggles to pay their rent, afford groceries, and their utilities. Working people across this nation must rise up against fascism.
What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I want to address and reduce human trafficking and gender-based violence. I also want to fight for universal healthcare access, social housing, and to increase funding for emergency food systems. I want New York to be a leader in regulating artificial intelligence and fighting back against the fascism in the White House.
Brian with boss Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (left) and NY State Senator Kristen Gonzalez (right)
What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I am very proud that during the time I was chief of staff to the current Assembly Member, Jessica González-Rojas, we worked on securing full funding for universal school meals, passed legislation to establish a state-wide Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund to ensure New Yorkers get abortion care, and passed several bills on other issues like public transit access, increasing healthcare access, and more.
What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
I think one of the most important issues is regulating artificial intelligence because it is already causing job loss, climate impact, and there is a real public safety concern about superintelligence. Increasing taxes on the wealthy in order to provide housing, healthcare, and universal child care to New Yorkers is my second priority.
America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
I think this is all about building solidarity in our communities. Our immigrant and ethnic communities may sometimes compete in elections but when it is time to deliver for people we come together in coalition to fight to tax the rich, make Queens more affordable, and fight for our immigrant, LGBTQ and working class communities. I have been part of several coalitions during my tenure and I believe strongly that the massive hoarding of wealthy by the 1% is something that can unite us all.
Brian with US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
As a second generation queer Colombian I think my identities as a Latino, a worker, a renter, and more inform a lot of my work, but also how I approach politics, organizing, and strategy. I strongly believe being a social worker has been a super power in my time in the legislature.
What is your motto in life?
Corny I know but "Live, Laugh, Love" because if I don't remember to do that well, I don't know how sustainable this work will be.
Where can we find out more about you?
Follow us on social media! @brianr4ny on X and IG and we are on bluesky too. Also my website: https://www.brianr4ny.com
IG: @BrianR4NY
X: @BrianR4NY
Stay connected! bit.ly/brian4nysignup
Four years ago, we wrote up a profile on the candidate for this district. In 2022, that candidate was Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas. At that time, Brian Romero (he/him) was her chief of staff. This year, Jessica decided to run for New York Senate and won her primary in June, and at the same time, Brian ran for Jessica’s Assembly seat, likewise winning the Democratic primary in June.
Brian is a queer Colombian-American millennial and former social worker, psychotherapist, DEI consultant, and social justice activist. Brian has deep roots in his community and is uniquely attuned to the needs of the residents who will be his constituents. Brian’s campaign is held up by three pillars: making the rich pay their fair share, addressing affordability, and protecting our immigrant communities.