Assembly candidates outlined proposals on housing, immigration enforcement and health care Oct. 17 at a Queens People’s Movement forum that also gave residents an opportunity to hear from two judicial candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Democrat Patrick Martinez and Republican Brandon Castro, competing to succeed Assemblyman Steven Raga in District 30, joined District 34 Democratic nominee Brian Romero at The Palace in Queens, New York. Judicial candidates Edwin Novillo and Michelle McSweeney-Ortiz discussed their backgrounds and the limits on their participation in policy debates.

Queens People’s Movement, a nonpartisan, Filipino-led voter education organization, organized the forum. Attorney Steven de Castro and Hannah Suarez, the organization’s deputy secretary-general, moderated.

The Assembly candidates agreed on some priorities, including preserving affordable housing and supporting immigrant community centers, but offered different approaches to taxation, health care and development.

Martinez supported higher taxes on people earning at least $1 million annually, expanded housing construction and passage of the New York Health Act. Castro emphasized spending accountability, vocational education, constituent services and the financial pressures facing small businesses.

Romero called for universal child care, higher wages, rental assistance and increased taxes on the wealthy.

“In a city and a state that is as rich as ours, nobody should be homeless or go hungry, period,” Romero said.

Housing and immigrant protections

Romero, a social worker and former legislative chief of staff, described experiencing homelessness as a child in an immigrant household. He said that history shaped his emphasis on affordability. He won the Democratic primary to succeed Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas in District 34 and is running unopposed in November. 

He advocated legalizing basement apartments, increasing rental assistance and investing in public housing.

Martinez supported expanding Mitchell-Lama housing, protecting NYCHA and building more deeply affordable homes. Castro also supported preserving and expanding Mitchell-Lama while questioning whether newer high-rise developments were affordable to existing residents.

On immigration, Martinez and Romero endorsed the full New York for All bill to restrict state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Castro, who described himself as the son of Ecuadorian immigrants, called for easier pathways to citizenship and assistance connecting residents with legal services. When asked directly whether ICE should be stationed outside churches and schools, both District 30 candidates said no.

Health care, jobs and gambling

Martinez endorsed the New York Health Act, citing his experience receiving medical care while living in South Korea. Castro emphasized prescription-price transparency and reforms to reduce the cost of obtaining care. Both pledged to protect Elmhurst Hospital.

Responding to a question about women’s economic security, Martinez supported universal child care and stronger protections against wage discrimination. Castro emphasized vocational training, career preparation and workforce development. Romero supported child care, higher wages and eliminating the lower minimum wage for tipped restaurant workers.

The candidates also addressed gambling addiction and casino development near Citi Field.

Castro and Romero said they opposed the casino project. Martinez called for holding developers to commitments to fund addiction services and increasing treatment and education resources. He also raised concerns about gambling apps and targeted advertising.

Judicial candidates emphasize impartiality

Novillo, the supervising judge of Queens County Criminal Court, is seeking election to state Supreme Court in the 11th Judicial District. His judicial career began with a mayoral appointment in 2018 after nearly 15 years with the Legal Aid Society’s criminal defense practice.

McSweeney-Ortiz, a Queens Supreme Court attorney and former private practitioner, is seeking an open Civil Court seat in Queens’ 3rd Municipal Court District. Her experience includes elder law, guardianship and work assisting a Supreme Court judge.

Both declined to endorse proposed autonomous-vehicle legislation, saying judicial ethics limited their ability to comment on issues that could come before them.

McSweeney-Ortiz said her goal was to listen to litigants without prejudging their cases.

Novillo pledged to remain fair and impartial and treat people appearing before him with dignity and respect.

Suarez said the organization planned to announce endorsements a week before the election. Candidates closed by encouraging residents to vote and remain involved in local public affairs.