Ballotpedia, Kristen Gonzalez

Kristen was born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, New York City.  

Kristen is a former tech worker who worked as a product manager. She  worked at the Obama White House and in Senator Schumer’s office in D.C.

Kristen Gonzalez is a state senator in State Senate District 59. She was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term.

Candidate website

Supports expanding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and bus services.

Advocated for expanded express bus service and G train service, including more trains and more cars on trains already running.

- Supports expanding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and bus services.
- Advocated for expanded express bus service and G train service, including more trains and more cars on trains already running.

Economy

Supports building publicly-owned renewable energy.

Supports the Renewable Ravenswood project and enhancing waterfront resilience to combat increased flooding.

Aims to collaborate with government partners to develop "environmentally just solutions" for local issues like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and Newtown Creek.

- Supports building publicly-owned renewable energy.
- Supports the Renewable Ravenswood project and enhancing waterfront resilience to combat increased flooding.
- Aims to collaborate with government partners to develop "environmentally just solutions" for local issues like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and Newtown Creek.

Energy & the Environment

Supports protecting private health data from out-of-state law enforcement to prevent penalization for seeking an abortion in New York State.

Believes states that invest in their social safety net, such as Medicaid, education, and public housing, will improve health and decrease violence in their communities.

Supports universal healthcare and would work to pass the New York Health Act, which would create statewide single-payer healthcare.

Supports universal healthcare and prioritizes passing the New York Health Act, which would create statewide single-payer healthcare.

- Supports protecting private health data from out-of-state law enforcement to prevent penalization for seeking an abortion in New York State.
- Believes states that invest in their social safety net, such as Medicaid, education, and public housing, will improve health and decrease violence in their communities.
- Supports universal healthcare and prioritizes passing the New York Health Act, which would create statewide single-payer healthcare.

Healthcare

As of September 19, 2024, Kristen Gonzalez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

Believes community stability and well-being are essential for safety, and plans to fund evidence-based violence prevention programs and invest in historically disenfranchised communities to promote safety.

As a state assembly member, secured $9 million for District 59 initiatives, including gun violence prevention and senior service centers.

As a state senator, secured $9 million for District 59 initiatives, including gun violence prevention and senior service centers.

- Believes community stability and well-being are essential for safety, and plans to fund evidence-based violence prevention programs and invest in historically disenfranchised communities to promote safety.
- As a state senator, secured $9 million for District 59 initiatives, including gun violence prevention and senior service centers.

Public Safety

Education

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Kristen Gonzalez

Kristen Gonzalez is a former tech worker who worked as a product manager. She also had the opportunity to work at the Obama White House and in Senator Schumer’s office in D.C.

Kristen Gonzalez is running for re-election to the New York State Senate to represent District 59. 

Supports affordable housing and stronger tenant protections.

Supports affordable housing and "guaranteeing housing as a human right."

Believes housing should be considered a human right.

Endorsed by the NYC Central Labor Council AFL-CIO.

Supports advocating for longer G trains and less disruptive schedules for maintenance and upgrade work.

- Supports expanding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and bus services.
- Supports advocating for longer G trains and less disruptive schedules for maintenance and upgrade work.
- Advocated for expanded express bus service and G train service, including more trains and more cars on trains already running.

Supports enhancing waterfront resiliency to combat climate change impacts.

Rejects all corporate and fossil fuel donations.

Supports public ownership of local energy systems.

- Supports public ownership of local energy systems.
- Supports building publicly-owned renewable energy.
- Supports the Renewable Ravenswood project and enhancing waterfront resilience to combat increased flooding.
- Aims to collaborate with government partners to develop "environmentally just solutions" for local issues like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and Newtown Creek.

Supports single-payer healthcare system in New York State.

As a leader in the effort to keep MSBI open, passed legislation requiring community input before any hospital closure.

- Supports protecting private health data from out-of-state law enforcement to prevent penalization for seeking an abortion in New York State.
- Believes states that invest in their social safety net, such as Medicaid, education, and public housing, will improve health and decrease violence in their communities.
- Supports universal healthcare and would work to pass the New York Health Act, which would create statewide single-payer healthcare.

Supports voting rights and fair election practices.

Believes "bill language may be overly broad, inviting unintended consequences and impacts."

Promises to make every vote "thoughtful and considered."

Believes the political system is "rigged" with politicians being "bought out by special interests," and supports a movement of experienced people and leaders to fight for a better New York.

Opposes "carceral bills" that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Supports a host of progressive policies, including a green new deal in New York State.

- Believes community stability and well-being are essential for safety, and plans to fund evidence-based violence prevention programs and invest in historically disenfranchised communities to promote safety.
- As a state assembly member, secured $9 million for District 59 initiatives, including gun violence prevention and senior service centers.

Believes addressing attacks on queer and trans rights requires ensuring housing, healthcare, and education systems are intersectional and provide dignity for all.

Believes education is crucial for a better life, and supports providing scholarships to underfunded students.

As a first-generation, low-income student at Columbia University, organized at her high school and on the Young Women’s Advisory Council for New York City Council, where she wrote policy recommendations.

As of September 23, 2024, Kristen Gonzalez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- 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.