Marlon Rice - SD 25

Marlon Rice

Office Sought: State Senate District 25

Campaign Site: n/a

Endorsements so far: currently completing questionnaires and going through the endorsement process

Why do you want to represent your neighbors and fellow Brooklynites in Albany? (100words max)

I am deeply rooted in the communities of District 25, with a lifelong connection to the people, institutions, and culture that shape daily life there. Through decades of work in education, community programming, and local engagement, I have built trust across generations and understand firsthand the challenges and aspirations of the families who call the neighborhood home. Current leadership is flattering the privileged while speaking the language of the oppressed and marginalized. He has left us behind, the residents of NYCHA, the homeowners, the mom and pop small businesses, the seniors, the everyday residents, and sold out the culture.

What difference will you make for your community? (100 words max) I will foster community and co-govern with those on the margin.

Some of my top priorities are stopping deed theft, stopping the privatization of NYCHA and ensuring safety across all zip codes in my district.

How will you support and empower the LGBTQ+ community, particularly at a time when transgender people are under sustained attack from the Trump Administration? (100words max) I think NYS has been a champion for LGBTQ+ with legal protection and civil rights, and ensuring access to affirming healthcare. But I think there is more to be done on economic justice for LGBTQ+ people experiencing a cycle of poverty, and homelessness. This particularly impacts Black and Latinx Transgender individuals who face an overwhelming barrier to traditional employment. Reports show that transgender individuals face an unemployment rate nearly three times higher than the general population. This is a failure on the system; as Senator there is much to be done for employment opportunities for the transgender community, housing access, and supportive services.

How will you support and empower Brooklynites being targeted by I.C.E? (100 wordsmax)

I would continue to fund organizations to provide legal support and representation for immigrants. Also, this current tactics of ICE is eerily similar to stop and frisk, which was discriminatory and predatory. As State Senator, I would tackle ICE in the same way we did stop and frisk, at all levels of government with a unified front and continued litigation.

Who did you endorse in the 2025 Mayoral Election, in both the primary and the general election? (100 words max). I voted for Adrienne Adams in the primary and supported the Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the general.

Although you are running for a state legislative position, we recognize that our state elected officials have an important voice in local political communities. With that in mind,do you/will you support the Brooklyn Can’t Wait slate of District Leader candidates and Brooklyn Can’t Wait’s reforms to make our local party more accountable, transparent,inclusive, and effective? (100 words max) Yes.

Similarly, we recognize that our state elected officials have an important voice in national political dialogue as well. How will you use your voice to speak out about ending US support for the genocide in Gaza and putting a stop to the aggression being implemented by the Trump Administration against Venezuela, Greenland, and otherareas? (100 words max)

I will speak about destabilizing conflict not just politically focused on Palestine and Israel. I will speak on the crisis in Haiti, the genocide in Sudan, and The Congo because these countries fall in the “and other areas” and on the margins of international conflict. As Senator, I would critique the role our tax dollars play in international affairs and violence in other countries while we have communities here that are being displaced, have experienced generations of state violence, gun violence and have not received reparations and repair.

Legislation:[Please answer “yes” or “no” for each piece of legislation. Feel free to add additional discussion of your perspective on the legislation.]

Do you support the Gender Identity, Respect, Dignity, and Safety Act (GIRDS)(A5478/S1049A)? Yes.

Do you support Cecilia’s Act for Rights in the S*x Trades S2513/A3251 (formerly SVSTA)(A3251/S2513)? No. Black and Latinx Transgender people are more likely to engage in sex work as their most viable option for survival. Consensual sex work can quickly change into a dangerous situation and/or into a trafficking situation or an exploitative situation where a person hired to help manage or ensure safety takes advantage. When the system as it is hasn't prioritized these communities safety, passing legislations without structural, community, and cultural changes that center the safety of these marginalized groups could only perpetuate more violence.

Do you support the New York Health Act (A1466/S3425)? Yes

Do you support the Repeal STI Discrimination Act (A733A/S4545A)? Yes

Do you support the Freedom to Read Act (A7777/S1099) and overriding the Governor’s veto of this act? Yes

Do you support the New York for All Act (A3506/S2235A)? Yes

Do you support adding a constitutional right to privacy to New York’s State Constitution(A9377/S8603)? Yes.

Commitments:

If endorsed, do you commit to using LID’s full logo (will be provided) and full name on all materials and other places where you list endorsees (with the exception of lists of specific organizations (unions, etc) or elected officials)? Yes.

Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of the…”) Yes.