John immigrated from Taiwan at the age of 5. He earned his bachelor's degree in mathematical physics from Binghamton University. He lives in Flushing with his wife and son.

John currently teaches municipal finance and public policy in masters programs at the City University of New York (CUNY) and Columbia University. Prior to being elected to office, John was an actuary manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

John C. Liu is a state senator for State Senate District 16. He was first elected in 2018 and is serving his 3rd term. He ran for State Senate in 2014 but did not win. He also ran for New York City Mayor in 2013 but did not win. He served 1 term as New York City comptroller from 2010 to 2013. He also served 2 terms on the New York City Council from 2002 to 2009.

Candidate website

Believes in "fairness and equality" through sound economic policies to promote growth and reduce the wealth gap.

Believes in using economic policies to reduce the wealth inequality.

As comptroller, saved taxpayers $5 billion through audits, contract scrutiny, and refinancing debt.

As mayor, presented daily-updated M/WBE Report Cards for City agencies to monitor and encourage greater government contracting opportunities for minority entrepreneurs.

Supports providing greater government contracting opportunities for minorities.

- Believes in using economic policies to reduce the wealth inequality.
- As comptroller, saved taxpayers $5 billion through audits, contract scrutiny, and refinancing debt.
- Supports providing greater government contracting opportunities for minorities.

Economy

Billtrack50: NY S02129

Sponsored legislation requiring major greenhouse gas emitters to pay for climate change adaptation infrastructure in New York.

- Sponsored legislation requiring major greenhouse gas emitters to pay for climate change adaptation infrastructure in New York.

Energy & the Environment

As of June 7, 2025, John C. Liu’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Senate Bill S776: Lower BAC

Wants to lower legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from .08 to .05.

- Opposes stop-and-frisk tactics.
- Wants to lower legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from .08 to .05.

Public Safety

Twitter

Opposes budget cuts to schools and wants to restore funds from previous budget cuts.

- Opposes budget cuts to schools and wants to restore funds from previous budget cuts.

Education

Instagram

Facebook

John C. Liu

Ballotpedia: Juan Pagan

Juan was born and raised in New York City. He attended New York's High School of Music & Art and holds an associate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2000. He has two children.

Juan previously worked as an author, an assistant to the provost for faculty development at Baruch College, and a director of community centers for the New York City Housing Authority. He also worked as a resource officer for the New York State Department of Correctional Services and is a former president of the Legacy High School Parents Association.

Juan Pagan ran for New York City Council in District 2 in 2023 and 2021, but he did not win. He also ran for US Representative in Congressional District 7 in 2022 and New York State Assembly in District 74 in 2018 and 2012, but he also did not win any of those races either. He is a former Manhattan representative to the New York City Department of Education's Citywide Council on High Schools. 

Wants to limit spending government funds to help reduce inflation. 

Supports relying on American manufacturing and imposing tariffs on China.

Supports providing small businesses with rent assistance and low interest loans.

Want to have the supply chain "back up and running" so the flow of goods remain stable.

- Wants to limit spending government funds to help reduce inflation. 
- Supports relying on American manufacturing and imposing tariffs on China.
- Supports providing small businesses with rent assistance and low interest loans.
- Want to have the supply chain "back up and running" so the flow of goods remain stable.

Supports investing in clean energy industries to create jobs and wealth in New York.

Supports mandating recycling plastics nationwide to address plastic pollution. 

- Supports investing in clean energy industries to create jobs and wealth in New York.
- Supports mandating recycling plastics nationwide to address plastic pollution. 

Plans to prioritize addressing mental illness, saying it is "one of the most overlooked problems of our healthcare system."

- Plans to prioritize addressing mental illness, saying it is "one of the most overlooked problems of our healthcare system."

Believes "American foreign policy must firmly address such Russian sabotage and election interference."

- Believes "American foreign policy must firmly address such Russian sabotage and election interference."

Wants to remove bail reform to prevent "criminals" from being released on the same day.

Wants to create local police cyber units to address online threats and hate crimes.

Wants to "Reform criminals in prisons with vocational schools..." to help them successfully reintegrate into society when released. 

- Wants to remove bail reform to prevent "criminals" from being released on the same day.
- Wants to create local police cyber units to address online threats and hate crimes.
- Wants to "Reform criminals in prisons with vocational schools..." to help them successfully reintegrate into society when released. 

Opposes lowering entrance standards for special schools and believes "The real solution is to double the number of special schools." 

Supports banning cellphone use during school hours.

Wants to create civic classes that focus on topics schools do not cover.

Supports creating regional districts where they have greater autonomy.

- Opposes lowering entrance standards for special schools and believes "The real solution is to double the number of special schools." 
- Wants to fire "bad teachers."
- Supports banning cellphone use during school hours.
- Wants to create civic classes that focus on topics schools do not cover.
- Supports creating regional districts where they have greater autonomy.

Juan M. Pagan

- Your state senator is involved in the legislative process at the state level as part of the New York State Senate, which consists of 63 members and serves as the upper house of the New York State Legislature, the state's lawmaking body. 
- State senators are responsible for representing your interests and assisting you with navigating state services while bringing resources back to your district.  
- State senators draft laws, approve budgets, oversee the state executive branch, and engage in debates and votes on proposed legislation.  
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your state senator can serve on committees, where many bills may be delayed before reaching a vote.  
- State senators are elected for a two-year term with no term limits.  
- Their annual salary is $142,000.  

Your representative and state lawmaker in the New York Senate.

New York State Senator, District 16

Candidates (2)