Candidate Forum for 37th District Assembly Race [Video]

There are four candidates running in the Democratic primary for the 37th Assembly seat and last night they squared off in a forum that was organized by the Queens Post and Sunnyside Community Services.

The event was held at Sunnyside Community Services and approximately 100 people attended. The crowd was limited to 100 given COVID-19 restrictions.

The four candidates—Juan Ardila, Johanna Carmona, Jim Magee and Brent O’Leary—were asked a series of questions covering topics ranging from affordable housing, education to bail reform. There were also questions from the public and a lightning round of yes/no questions.

The event was moderated by Christian Murray, co-publisher of the Queens Post, and Judy Zangwill, executive director of SCS.

00:00 – Start
03:25 – Affordable Housing
14:30 – The Department of Education and its responsiveness to parents
18:30 – Immigrant services, such as social programs for undocumented workers
23:40 – The Interborough Express and public transportation
28:00 – Bail reform and crime
33:25 – Small Businesses and a living wage
46:00 – Lightning round, where candidates provide yes or no answers

Public Questions and comments provided to the Queens Post
48:50 – Race and diversity
54:50 – Eliminating Medicare premiums
58:45 – Con Ed rate hikes and the New York State Build Public Renewables Act

Moderator question
1:02.50 Improving the bike infrastructure in western Queens