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Jessica Ramos

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Jessica Ramos
Member of the New York Senate
from the 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded byJose Peralta
Personal details
Born (1985-06-27) June 27, 1985 (age 40)
Queens, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationHofstra University (no degree)
WebsiteState Senate website
State Senate campaign website
Mayoral campaign website

Jessica Ramos (born June 27, 1985) is an American politician from the state of New York.[1] A Democrat, she has represented District 13, which includes the Queens neighborhoods of Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights, in the New York State Senate since 2019.[2][3][1]

Ramos was a candidate in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City in the 2025 mayoral election; her campaign began in September 2024.[4] On June 6, 2025, she endorsed former Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo, but remained on the ballot.[5] She placed ninth in the first round.

Early life and education

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Ramos was born at Elmhurst Hospital and raised in Astoria, Queens, New York City. She is the daughter of Colombian immigrants.[6] Exposed to civic life at an early age, Ramos participated in community activities with the Colombian immigrant community's local civic groups and later on as a Democratic district leader and community board member.[7] She graduated from the Academy of American Studies and attended Hofstra University, discontinuing her studies to work in the office of then-New York City Council Member Hiram Monserrate[8][9] (whom she now denounces).[10]

Career

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Ramos worked in New York City Hall where she was initially a communications adviser and ultimately became director of Latino media from April 2016 to December 2017.[clarification needed] In this role, Ramos was the city's top Latina spokeswoman and liaison to the Spanish-language press.[11] Before joining city government, Ramos was the communications director for Build Up NYC, an advocacy organization for construction, building, and maintenance workers. She has also done communications work with a local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and a regional branch of the Service Employees International Union.[11]

Ramos has served on Queens Community Board 3, and she was a Queens County Democratic district leader from 2010 to 2014.[11]

New York Senate

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In January 2018, Ramos announced her candidacy for New York State Senate, challenging Jose Peralta, a former member of the Independent Democratic Conference, in the Democratic Party primary election.[12] Ramos defeated Peralta[13] and won the general election.[14] Her campaign was endorsed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio,[15] The New York Times,[16] and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.[17]

Committees

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In the Senate, Ramos serves as chair on the Committee on Labor.[18] She is a member of the following committees:[19]

  • Budget and Revenue Committee
  • Cannabis Committee
  • Commerce, Economic and Small Business Committee
  • Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
  • State-Native American Relations Committee
  • Transportation Committee
  • Legislative Women's Caucus
  • Select Majority Task Force on Diversity in the Judiciary
  • Select Majority Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises

Tenure

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She co-sponsored a bill to decriminalize sex work; known as Cecilia's Act, it would uphold all felony anti-trafficking statutes that are designed to hold traffickers accountable.[20][21] In 2023, Ramos criticized Governor Kathy Hochul's proposals to ease housing construction in New York because not all local labor unions supported the proposals.[22] That same year, Ramos called for "good cause eviction" tenant protections to be included in any budget housing proposal.[23]

In 2025, Ramos introduced the "Recourse Act," which would allow the New York State Governor to withhold state tax dollars if the U.S. President cuts federal spending the city relies on for supporting critical agencies, saying, "If Trump cuts our funding, then we will withhold our taxes."[24]

Metropolitan Park development

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She is opposed to building Metropolitan Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, an integrated resort next to Citi Field with a casino proposed by Mets owner Steve Cohen.[25] New York state officials announced in April 2022 that they would issue three casino licenses in Downstate New York.[26][27] Following this announcement, in 2023, New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen proposed a redevelopment of the parking lot west of Citi Field.[28][29]

In February 2025, the City Planning Commission voted in favor of approving zoning changes which would allow for the project to be built. The area is zoned as parkland and zoning changes are needed to allow the project to move forward. Neighboring community boards have also voted in favor of the proposed development.[30][31] In March 2025, the New York City Council voted 41–2 to approve the zoning changes.[32] Later that month, fellow state senator John Liu announced that he would introduce a bill to reclassify the zoning as commercial space.[33][34][35] In late April 2025, a State Senate committee voted 4–3 to advance a bill allowing the Willets Point section of the park to be rezoned to permit commercial use.[36][37] In May 2025, the bill passed both chambers of the New York State Legislature. [38][39][40][41]

2025 New York City mayoral campaign

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On September 13, 2024, Ramos announced that she would run in the Democratic primary in the 2025 New York City mayoral election, challenging incumbent mayor Eric Adams. She received support from organized labor, including United Auto Workers Region 9A, Teamsters Local 808, The Chelsea Reformed Democratic Club of New York, and Teamsters Local 804.[42] Voting in the primary is done by ranked choice, and on May 29, 2025, the Working Families Party announced its fifth-choice ranked endorsement of Ramos.[43]

By June 2025, her campaign had struggled to gain traction. It did not qualify for matching funds or for the second primary debate; and it had less than $10k cash on hand according to campaign finance reports.[44][45] Politico's New York Playbook PM newsletter reported that the campaign actually had outstanding debts totalling over $250,000 due to a vendor dispute which had not yet been filed with the New York City Campaign Finance Board, which could result in thousands of dollars worth of fines.[46]

Cuomo endorsement and reactions

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On June 6, 2025, Ramos endorsed former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary election, while remaining on the ballot herself. The move surprised many, inasmuch as Ramos had been one of the first elected officials to call on Cuomo to resign in 2021, and had previously compared Cuomo's mental state to Joe Biden's health concerns by opining that his "mental acuity is in decline." She is considered a political progressive.[47][44] NYC journalists speculated that the endorsement could be a move aimed at giving Ramos a path to a high-level role in Cuomo's mayoral administration.[48]

The Working Families Party, which had endorsed Ramos a week earlier, announced in a statement that “We are sad and disappointed that State Sen. Jessica Ramos has decided to endorse the candidate favored by Trump’s billionaire donors. But we won’t be distracted by this desperate move”; however, it declined to state whether the group would rescind its fifth-place ranking for Ramos.[49] United Auto Workers Region 9A, which had previously voted unanimously to endorse Ramos, announced that it would rescind its endorsement, stating in a release, "Opposing Andrew Cuomo is a non-negotiable for our membership."[50] Jews for Racial and Economic Justice Action, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, state assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Professional Staff Congress, state senator Gustavo Rivera and Downtown Women for Change all announced that they would drop Ramos from their endorsement slates the same day.[51]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had left Ramos out of her endorsement slate the day before, reacted on Twitter by quote tweeting a video of Cuomo refusing to mutually endorse Ramos with "lol. lmao." while actress and former gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon quote tweeted a previous post by Ramos critiquing Cuomo saying "I’m choosing to remember the Jessica Ramos who ran to break up the IDC, supported the women who were sexually harassed, remembered the people Cuomo sent to die in nursing homes & always called out Cuomo’s corruption, mismanagement & lies. I’ll miss that Ramos, where did she go?💔"[46]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jessica Ramos". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  2. ^ Kaye, Jacob (May 17, 2022). "Queens Senate maps take shape". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  3. ^ "NY Senate District 13". NY State Senate. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma G. (September 13, 2024). "Jessica Ramos Will Run for Mayor Against Eric Adams". The New York Times. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  5. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma G. (June 6, 2025). "Jessica Ramos, Former Cuomo Critic, Endorses Him for New York City Mayor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  6. ^ Mena, Kelly (September 13, 2024). "Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos enters race for mayor". ny1.com. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "Meet Jessica". Jessica Ramos for State Senate. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  8. ^ Barca, Christopher (September 20, 2018). "Ramos rocks Peralta as IDC pols lose statewide". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  9. ^ "Ramos Distances Herself From Former Boss Monserrate". PoliticsNY. August 31, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  10. ^ Lewis, Rebecca C. (July 13, 2020). "Jessica Ramos isn't sugarcoating anything". City & State NY. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Mayor de Blasio Announces New Director of Latino Media". The official website of the City of New York. April 8, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Feller, Madison (September 13, 2018). "Jessica Ramos Talks Running for New York Senate in Midterm Elections 2018". Elle. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  13. ^ Hallum, Mark (September 13, 2018). "Ramos upsets Peralta in Democratic primary". TimesLedger. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  14. ^ Cronin, Jon (November 7, 2018). "Jessica Ramos Sails To Victory In Unopposed Queens Senate Race | Queens, NY Patch". Patch.com. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  15. ^ Bagcal, Jenna (August 13, 2018). "Mayor de Blasio backs former aide Jessica Ramos over Jose Peralta in Queens Senate race". QNS.com. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  16. ^ "Opinion | The New York Times Endorses Alessandra Biaggi, Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie for State Senate in Thursday's Primary". The New York Times. August 28, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  17. ^ "Kirsten Gillibrand on Twitter". Retrieved November 10, 2018 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Arbetter, Susan (January 31, 2024). "N.Y. state Sen. Jessica Ramos on strengthening the workforce". Spectrum News. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  19. ^ "About Jessica Ramos | NYSenate.gov". www.nysenate.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  20. ^ "New York Reintroduces Bill To Decriminalize Sex Work". Decriminalize Sex Work. January 22, 2025. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025.
  21. ^ van Zuylen-Wood, Simon (November 16, 2024). "The End of Denial: How Trump's rising popularity in New York (and everywhere else) exposed the Democratic Party's break with reality". New York magazine. Archived from the original on November 18, 2024.
  22. ^ Destra, Shantel (July 18, 2023). "'We will wait no longer': Hochul announces housing executive orders". City & State NY.
  23. ^ Lewis, Rebecca C. (April 19, 2023). "Lawmakers to Hochul: No housing without 'good cause'". City & State NY.
  24. ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (March 27, 2025). "NYC Mayor's Race: Democratic primary challengers Ramos and Myrie float plans to combat Trump funding cuts | amNewYork". www.amny.com. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  25. ^ Drellich, Evan (May 28, 2024). "Steve Cohen's Citi Field casino bid suffers major blow, project's future uncertain". The New York Times. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  26. ^ Hong, Nicole; Rubinstein, Dana (October 21, 2022). "Where Could a Casino Be Built in New York City? What We Know". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  27. ^ Short, Aaron (August 9, 2022). "Manhattan Casino Push Could Turn Out to Be a House of Cards". Commercial Observer. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  28. ^ Byfield, Erica; Luck, Brad (November 7, 2023). "New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen Announces $8B Plan to Develop Area Around Citi Field in Queens". NBC New York. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Gannon, Devin (November 7, 2023). "Mets Owner Reveals 'Metropolitan Park' Proposal for $8B Casino Complex Next to Citi Field". 6sqft. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  30. ^ O’Brien, Shane (February 20, 2025). "Flushing's Metropolitan Park casino proposal gets City Planning Commission green light – QNS". QNS. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  31. ^ Shriber, Todd (February 20, 2025). "Queens Casino Plan Lands Important Zoning Changes". Casino.org. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  32. ^ Venugopal, Arun (March 14, 2025). "Metropolitan Park casino project in Queens wins City Council zoning approval". Gothamist. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  33. ^ Drellich, Evan (May 28, 2024). "Steve Cohen's Citi Field Casino Bid Suffers Major Blow, Project's Future Uncertain". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  34. ^ Valle, Verónica Del (March 30, 2025). "NY senator backs Citi Field casino plan with Flushing Skypark proposal and $100M pledge". Gothamist. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  35. ^ Shriber, Todd (March 30, 2025). "Queens Casino Plan Lifted by Liu Parkland Bill". Casino.org. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  36. ^ Durso, Isabelle (April 29, 2025). "Steve Cohen Wins Key Vote Needed to Build Casino Next to Citi Field". Commercial Observer. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  37. ^ Shriber, Todd (April 29, 2025). "Queens Casino Plan Gets Another Boost Following Committee Vote". Casino.org. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  38. ^ Shriber, Todd (May 14, 2025). "Queens Casino Plan Boosted by New York Assembly Vote". Casino.org. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  39. ^ O’Brien, Shane (May 15, 2025). "Assembly passes Metropolitan Park parkland alienation bill". QNS. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  40. ^ O’Brien, Shane (May 27, 2025). "Metropolitan Park receives green light from State Senate, clears way for downstate license bid". QNS. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  41. ^ Campbell, Jon (May 27, 2025). "Citi Field casino plan clears major hurdle in Albany". Gothamist. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  42. ^ "Endorsements in the 2025 New York City mayoral race". City & State NY. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  43. ^ "Working Families Party ranks Zohran Mamdani as top pick for mayor". NY1. May 31, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  44. ^ a b Giambrone, Andrew (June 6, 2025). "Andrew Cuomo endorsed by opponent Jessica Ramos in NYC mayoral race about-face". Gothamist. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  45. ^ McCarthy, Craig (June 6, 2025). "Jessica Ramos — who compared Cuomo to a bumbling Biden — to endorse ex-gov for NYC mayor". New York Post. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  46. ^ a b Coltin, Jeff (June 6, 2025). "Ramos for… Cuomo?!". Politico. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  47. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma G. (June 6, 2025). "Jessica Ramos Will Endorse Andrew Cuomo for New York City Mayor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  48. ^ NYC, FAQ (June 9, 2025). "LISTEN: 'A Little Bit of Amnesia' in Ramos Endorsing Cuomo". THE CITY - NYC News. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  49. ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (June 6, 2025). "NYC Mayor's Race: State Sen. Jessica Ramos stuns with endorsement of Andrew Cuomo". AMNY. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  50. ^ "UAW REGION 9A UPDATES RANKED CHOICE BALLOT FOR NYC MAYOR | UAW Region 9A". region9a.uaw.org. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  51. ^ McDonough, Annie (June 6, 2025). "Progressives pull Ramos endorsements after she backs Andrew Cuomo". City and State. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
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