Jessica Ramos faces Democratic challenges in reelection bid

Source: NY1

One of the hottest legislative races this primary season is a battle between two prominent Democrats for control of state Senate District 13, covering the Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Corona and even Citi Field.

Incumbent Jessica Ramos is fending off a challenge from former ally and neighboring Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas. Also in the mix is former State Sen. Hiram Monserrate, who went to prison on federal corruption charges.

“I’ve grown up amongst these people. These are the people whose children have grown up in the same classrooms where I went to school, and now that I’m their senator, I certainly make sure to represent not only every corner of the district, every neighborhood, but of course every culture in the city that needs representation here,” Ramos told NY1 in an interview.

Powerful as the state Senate’s Labor Committee chair, Ramos is bidding for a fourth term representing the district. Gonzalez-Rojas is a close friend of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“We need someone that’s going to show up, build coalitions and deliver for our neighbors. And unfortunately, our state senator has been burning bridges, not building them, and I’m someone who builds bridges,” Gonzalez-Rojas said in a separate interview with NY1.

“We have to put egos aside, put competitiveness aside, and we have to actually deliver in a moment where Trump is attacking and kidnapping our neighbors,” Gonzalez-Rojas added.

On the Senate’s budget and finance committees, Ramos has passed legislation increasing the minimum wage and expanding prevailing wages. She’s also known to oppose the new Hard Rock Casino expected to open in 2030 in the district.

“Casinos are predatory businesses that are only going to hurt the local economy, and even though it will provide jobs, the impact on the surrounding area is not a net positive,” Ramos said.

“We want to say, of course, that we continue to fight billionaires,” she added, referring to billionaire Steve Cohen, who backs the Hard Rock Metropolitan Park Casino plan.

Although previously working side-by-side on immigration and labor policies, plus backing “taxing the rich,” Gonzalez-Rojas said everything came to a head after Ramos’ unsuccessful mayoral bid — and an endorsement decision.

“People were really shocked when she was running for mayor and polled below 1%. She all of a sudden endorsed a billionaire-backed candidate, Andrew Cuomo, who had she had just called a sex pest three weeks before that, right, that was shocking to the community, to the values that we understood that she espoused,” Gonzalez-Rojas said. “We’ve seen a public spat with AOC.”

“I mean, every single elected official has felt the brunt of her ego,” she continued, “we don’t need this in this moment.”

Ramos responded: “My decisions in the mayoral campaign at this point are really about supporting the mayor.” “His success is the city’s success,” she added.

Both women were born and raised in Queens. Ramos’ parents were Colombian immigrants. Gonzalez-Rojas’ mother is from Puerto Rico and her father is from Paraguay.

“I was born in Elmhurst Hospital. I have lived here the vast majority of my life. I am very proud to be raising my children here in the district, and I mean, how lucky am I that I was born in the most diverse place in the world,” Ramos said.

Ex-City Councilman and state Sen. Hiram Monserrate did not respond to interview requests from NY1.

Monserrate was kicked out of the Senate after video released showed him dragging his girlfriend down a hallway. He was then convicted of a misdemeanor assault charge.

Also in 2012, he pled guilty and served more than a year in prison for misusing city funds.

He was also Ramos’s former boss.

“He actually stole money and used it for electioneering illegally, for which he did jail time, and I know he’s paid his debt to society. I believe in remorse, but he can find another job,” Ramos said.

“Sinverguenza means without shame,” Gonzalez-Rojas said. “He’s someone who beat his ex-girlfriend, slashed her in the face.”

“This guy gets out of prison and continues to run for office. That is, that is shameless, and it’s unfortunate that he continues to try to make a comeback,” she added.

All three candidates have qualified for public campaign matching dollars.