Photograph courtesy of Jessica González-Rojas’ marketing campaign
Meeting Member Jessica González-Rojas has filed to run towards state Sen. Jessica Ramos in subsequent 12 months’s Democratic main for Senate District 13.
González-Rojas, who presently represents Meeting District 34 together with components of Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights, which partially overlaps with Ramos’s Senate district, formally filed to run as a candidate in subsequent 12 months’s main on Tuesday, as first reported by Metropolis & State.
“I’m running for state Senate because the people of Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights deserve bold, values-driven leadership that listens, collaborates, and delivers,” González-Rojas mentioned in a press release offered to this publication. “Together, we can build a future that centers working families and creates real results for our neighborhoods.”
The submitting comes after weeks of rumors that González-Rojas would problem Ramos for her seat within the state Senate.
Ramos, a former candidate for mayor, positioned seventh within the Democratic mayoral main after making a controversial last-minute choice to endorse fellow candidate Andrew Cuomo. That call appeared to alienate Ramos’ progressive base.
Then again, González-Rojas, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), endorsed eventual main winner and fellow Queens Meeting Member Zohran Mamdani.
Assemblywoman Jessica González-RojasCourtesy of González-Rojas workplace
Nevertheless, González-Rojas has not been endorsed by the DSA and isn’t a member of the group’s nine-member “Socialists in Office” group in Albany. Nonetheless, she is anticipated to aim to consolidate progressive assist in Queens forward of subsequent 12 months’s main.
Progressive Queens Council Member Tiffany Cabán has already outlined her assist for González-Rojas’ Senate bid in a publish on X, previously Twitter, whereas progressive Brooklyn Meeting Member Emily Gallagher has additionally signaled her assist for González-Rojas.
“JGR is a fierce champion for working people, a brilliant legislator, and a friend. I’m so proud to endorse her for state Senator,” Gallagher mentioned in a publish on X.
State Sen. Jabari Brisport and former Queens Council Member Daniel Dromm additionally appeared to point their assist for González-Rojas on Tuesday night.
Ramos’ workplace has not but replied to QNS’ request for remark, however her chief-of-staff, Trivette Knowles, issued a press release to Metropolis & State welcoming the problem.
Knowles instructed the publication that democracy “thrives” when voters have robust candidates and competing visions to select from, including that he’s assured constituents will proceed to assist Ramos.
He additionally emphasised the pro-labor laws that Ramos has handed throughout her time in workplace. Ramos presently serves as chair of the Senate Labor Committee.
Candidate Jessica Ramos speaks throughout a Democratic mayoral main debate, June 4, 2025, in New York, U.S.Yuki Iwamura/Pool through REUTERS
Ramos additionally gained widespread consideration final 12 months when she refused to introduce parkland alienation laws within the state Senate to facilitate plans for Steve Cohen’s deliberate Metropolitan Park on line casino venture. Ramos persistently confronted calls to introduce the laws earlier than state Sen. John Liu ultimately launched it earlier this 12 months.
Ramos instructed QNS in Could that she was dissatisfied that the Senate voted in favor of the laws, which reclassifies a car parking zone adjoining to Citi Subject that’s presently designated as public parkland, as business property.
Talking throughout a go to to the Elmhurst Older Grownup Heart on Thursday, Could 29, Ramos mentioned it’s a actuality that three Downstate on line casino licenses are coming to New York Metropolis however mentioned she believes she has “done her job” representing the views of the “vast majority” of her constituency.
“I believe in doing my due diligence. I love talking to my neighbors,” Ramos mentioned. “If you were to poll this senior center right now, they would tell you they don’t want a casino. It’s something that’s predatory.”
