Maritza Davila was born in Catano, Puerto Rico, and moved to Bushwick, Brooklyn, as a young girl, where she has lived ever since. As a single mother raising three children in Bushwick, Assemblywoman Davila worked hard to improve her surroundings for her children and for all children who live in the challenging conditions of impoverished neighborhoods.

Maritza Davila - Assembly District 53 | New York State Assembly

In 1996, Ms. Davila joined the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, where she has helped found a local credit union, organized dozens of merchant, tenant, and block associations, secured lifeline benefits for struggling residents, and provided job training and quality, affordable housing for hundreds of families throughout Williamsburg and Bushwick. Ms. Davila graduated with her AA in Political Science from Long Island University in 2013.

As a single mother raising three children in Bushwick, Assemblywoman Davila worked hard to improve her surroundings for her children and for all children who live in the challenging conditions of impoverished neighborhoods.

Assemblywoman Davila began her career in public service as a community organizer, giving a voice to community residents on issues of education, healthcare, public safety, affordable housing, open space, and economic development within the communities of Bushwick and Williamsburg.

Maritza Davila was born in Catano, Puerto Rico. She earned an associate degree in political science from Long Island University. She is a single mother of three children.

Maritza Davila - New York State Assembly

Assemblywoman Davila began her career in public service as a community organizer, giving a voice to community residents on issues of education, healthcare, public safety, affordable housing, open space, and economic development within the communities of Bushwick and Williamsburg. Ms. Davila has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including that of several community gardens, local New York Police Department precincts, and area hospitals.

Occupational background: As a Legislative Assistant in the Office of Assemblyman Vito Lopez, Ms. Davila helped residents of Bushwick and Williamsburg to obtain fair, decent, safe and affordable housing

2009 NYC Voter Guide: Candidate Profile: Maritza Davila

Maritza previously worked as a community organizer in Bushwick and Williamsburg and as a legislative assistant in Assemblyman Vito Lopez's office.

Davila has represented New York's 53rd Assembly District since 2013. When asked what her hidden talent is, she said "probably karaoke night."

Know Your Electeds: New York Assemblywoman Maritza Davila

Maritza has represented New York's 53rd Assembly District since 2013.

Know Your Electeds New York Assemblywoman Maritza Davila - NY1

2026 New York General Election

“When our children face hunger, instability, and lack of opportunity, it impacts the entire community—today and for generations to come. We must commit to ensuring every child has the resources they need to thrive: adequate cash assistance, nutritious meals, quality education, and safe and affordable housing. By taking action now, we can break the cycle of poverty and build a future where every child has a fair chance to succeed,” – Assemblymember Maritza Davila

New York children are more likely to live in poverty than in 32 other states, with 18% (nearly one in five) experiencing poverty in 2023. The rate is even higher for children of color.

Rally to End Child Poverty

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A02538 | Provides that applicants or recipients for SNAP benefits shall not be subjected to finger imaging as a requirement of the supplemental nutrition assistance program

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A02572 | Exempts income earned by persons from certain job training or adult education programs from the determination of need for public assistance programs

Calls for adequate cash assistance and nutritious meals for children as part of efforts to reduce child poverty.

Sponsored A02538 to end fingerprint imaging as a requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Sponsored A02572 to exclude certain job-training and adult-education income from public-assistance need determinations.

- Calls for adequate cash assistance and nutritious meals for children as part of efforts to reduce child poverty.
- Sponsored A02538 to end fingerprint imaging as a requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
- Sponsored A02572 to exclude certain job-training and adult-education income from public-assistance need determinations.

Economy

As of September 9, 2026, Maritza Davila did not have a website or any information online.

Energy & the Environment

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Assemblywoman Davila fought to bring vaccinations during the early roll out, as her district was one of the epicenters of the pandemic. During this time, Ms. Davila provided food relief in conjunction with local, community-based organizations – including World Central Kitchen.

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A00988 | Requires the office of mental health to convene forums and listening sessions in areas with high rates of death by suicide, suicide attempts, or other risk factors associated with suicide

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A01023 | Requires the provision of video communication devices to certain patients during any time when visitor access is limited

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A09266 | Provides for eligibility for medical assistance for personal care services for persons with traumatic brain injury, developmental disability, cognitive impairments, blindness or visual impairment

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A10165 | Includes seizure detecting monitors for certain infants under standard coverage for Medicaid recipients

37. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate

Yes, I am currently a co-sponsor and I believe healthcare is a basic human right to be had by all.

Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Maritza Davila for NY Assembly District 53 (2022)

38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.

I fully support a womans right to chose and the rights to their own reproductive healthcare.

Worked to bring vaccinations to District 53 during the early COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Sponsored A00989 to regulate buyout agreements in rent-regulated apartments.

Sponsored A00988 to require mental-health forums and listening sessions in communities at high risk of suicide.

Sponsored A09266 to extend medical-assistance eligibility for personal-care services to people with specified disabilities and impairments.

Sponsored A10165 to include seizure-detecting monitors for certain infants in standard Medicaid coverage.

Co-sponsored the New York Health Act and said healthcare is a basic human right.

Supports abortion access and reproductive healthcare rights.

- Worked to bring vaccinations to District 53 during the early COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
- Sponsored A00989 to regulate buyout agreements in rent-regulated apartments.
- Sponsored A00988 to require mental-health forums and listening sessions in communities at high risk of suicide.
- Sponsored A09266 to extend medical-assistance eligibility for personal-care services to people with specified disabilities and impairments.
- Sponsored A10165 to include seizure-detecting monitors for certain infants in standard Medicaid coverage.
- Co-sponsored the New York Health Act and said healthcare is a basic human right.
- Supports abortion access and reproductive healthcare rights.

Healthcare

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A00366 | Authorizes United States citizens currently residing outside the United States whose last residence was in NY to vote in certain federal elections

Sponsored A00366 to allow certain U.S. citizens living abroad whose last residence was in New York to vote in federal elections.

- Sponsored A00366 to allow certain U.S. citizens living abroad whose last residence was in New York to vote in federal elections.

Voting & Elections

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A00514 | Relates to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated persons age fifty-five or older

10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?

I have co-sponsored and championed the criminal justice reforms and raise the age fight. This year I am the lead sponsor of the Elder Parole legislation. I have also fought for the Liberty defense fund to help undocumented individuals taken by ICE under the trump administration.

3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored?

I was a co-sponsor of the decriminalization of “Walking while Trans” legislation.

Sponsored A00514 to change parole eligibility for certain incarcerated people age 55 or older.

Co-sponsored legislation to decriminalize the offense known as “Walking while Trans.”

- Sponsored A00514 to change parole eligibility for certain incarcerated people age 55 or older.
- Co-sponsored legislation to decriminalize the offense known as “Walking while Trans.”

Public Safety

A strong advocate for community access to quality public education, Assemblywoman Davila served as president of the Community School District 32 board of education. She is committed to improving the quality and accessibility of educational opportunities for all children.

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A01057 | Authorizes schools to possess and administer FDA approved opioid reversal agents in emergency situations

Committed to improving the quality and accessibility of educational opportunities for all children.

Sponsored A01057 to allow schools to possess and administer Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid reversal agents in emergencies.

- Committed to improving the quality and accessibility of educational opportunities for all children.
- Sponsored A01057 to allow schools to possess and administer Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid reversal agents in emergencies.

Education

For over 20 years, Assemblywoman Davila has fought to preserve and expand affordable housing in Williamsburg and Bushwick. She has helped to restore hundreds of families to rehabilitated rent-stabilized homes, supported affordable housing development, worked alongside tenant association leaders to improve NYCHA housing, and helped young parents secure lead paint remediation in their apartments.

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A00989 | Relates to regulating buyout agreements within rent regulated apartments

## Sponsored Legislation

Prime-Sponsored Legislation:

A04313 | Establishes rental vouchers for working families

Advocates for preserving and expanding affordable housing, including rent-stabilized homes, public housing improvements, and lead-paint remediation.

Sponsored A04313 to establish rental vouchers for working families.

- Advocates for preserving and expanding affordable housing, including rent-stabilized homes, public housing improvements, and lead-paint remediation.
- Sponsored A00989 to regulate buyout agreements in rent-regulated apartments.
- Sponsored A04313 to establish rental vouchers for working families.

Housing & Urban Development

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Maritza Davila

- Sponsored A02538 to end fingerprint imaging as a requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
- Sponsored A02572 to exclude certain job-training and adult-education income from public-assistance need determinations.

As of September 9, 2026, Maritza Davila’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Sponsored A00989 to regulate buyout agreements in rent-regulated apartments.
- Sponsored A00988 to require mental-health forums and listening sessions in communities at high risk of suicide.
- Sponsored A09266 to extend medical-assistance eligibility for personal-care services to people with specified disabilities and impairments.
- Sponsored A10165 to include seizure-detecting monitors for certain infants in standard Medicaid coverage.
- Co-sponsored the New York Health Act and said healthcare is a basic human right.
- Supports abortion access and reproductive healthcare rights.

- Sponsored A01057 to allow schools to possess and administer Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid reversal agents in emergencies.

- Sponsored A00989 to regulate buyout agreements in rent-regulated apartments.
- Sponsored A04313 to establish rental vouchers for working families.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

- Your assembly member is involved in the legislative process at the state level as part of the New York State Assembly, which consists of 150 members and serves as the lower house of the New York State Legislature.  
- Assembly members are responsible for representing your interests and assisting you with navigating state services while bringing resources back to your district.  
- Assembly members 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 assembly member can serve on committees, where many bills may be delayed before reaching a vote.  
- Assembly members 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 State Assembly.