González-Rojas files to run against Ramos

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas is launching a primary challenge against state Sen. Jessica Ramos, her neighbor in western Queens. The tentative plan is for González-Rojas to formally launch her Senate campaign with a fundraiser on July 21.

On Tuesday, González-Rojas formally filed to run as a candidate in next year’s Democratic primary for Senate District 13, according to the state Board of Elections website. That district is currently represented by Ramos. González-Rojas currently represents Assembly District 34, which overlaps partly with Senate District 13.

“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 said in a statement. “Together, we can build a future that centers working families and creates real results for our neighborhoods.”

Following González-Rojas’ entry into the race, Ramos’ chief of staff and campaign manager Trivette Knowles released a statement defending Ramos’ record.

“We welcome Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas to the New York State Senate race. Democracy thrives when voters have strong candidates and competing visions,” he said. “I am confident constituents will continue to rally behind Senator Ramos, a lifelong Labor Democrat who has stood side-by-side with workers, fighting tirelessly to raise the minimum wage and expand childcare.”

Ramos is the chair of the Senate Labor Committee, and Knowles’ statement emphasized the pro-labor legislation that she has passed.

“No one has worked harder to pass laws protecting workers and lifting wages. Senator Ramos has consistently taken on billionaires, corporations, and special interests for the good of her community,” Knowles said. “This election is about choosing a candidate with a proven record of delivering tangible results for working-class families. Our campaign will be driven by working people, prioritizing progress over promises, with support from neighbors who’ve watched Senator Ramos organize and advocate tirelessly in her community for decades. We will keep fighting for a Queens where workers lead and no one is left behind.” 

City & State previously reported that González-Rojas was considering launching a primary challenge against Ramos. The state senator, who placed seventh in last month’s Democratic mayoral primary, alienated many of her progressive supporters when she unexpectedly endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for mayor.

González-Rojas’ primary challenge against Ramos is one of the first ripple effects of Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory over Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary. Ramos’ Senate district voted for Mamdani over Cuomo, 51% to 35% in the first round of ranked choice voting. 

González-Rojas is a close ally of Mamdani, whom she endorsed for mayor. Like Mamdani, she is a member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. (I am a former member of the DSA.)

Unlike Mamdani, though, González-Rojas has never been formally endorsed by the socialist group and is not a member of the DSA’s nine-member Socialists in Office bloc in Albany. It is unclear whether she will seek a DSA endorsement for her forthcoming state Senate campaign.

González-Rojas’ base of support goes well beyond the DSA. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said that he would back her primary challenge against Ramos “on day one,” and she can also likely count on an endorsement from Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, whose district overlaps with Ramos’ state Senate district.

González-Rojas’ primary challenge against Ramos is one of the first ripple effects of Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory over Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary. Ramos’ Senate district voted for Mamdani over Cuomo, 51% to 35% in the first round of ranked choice voting. 

González-Rojas is a close ally of Mamdani, whom she endorsed for mayor. Like Mamdani, she is a member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. (I am a former member of the DSA.)

Unlike Mamdani, though, González-Rojas has never been formally endorsed by the socialist group and is not a member of the DSA’s nine-member Socialists in Office bloc in Albany. It is unclear whether she will seek a DSA endorsement for her forthcoming state Senate campaign.

González-Rojas’ base of support goes well beyond the DSA. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said that he would back her primary challenge against Ramos “on day one,” and she can also likely count on an endorsement from Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, whose district overlaps with Ramos’ state Senate district.