Samantha Johnson - AD 57

Samantha Johnson

Office Sought: NYS Assembly AD 57

Campaign Site: Samanthajohnsonforbk.com

Endorsements so far: N/A

Why do you want to represent your neighbors and fellow Brooklynites in Albany? (100 words max) I want to represent my neighbors and fellow Brooklynites in Albany because I come from the same communities whose voices are often missing from decision-making. As a longtime NYCHA resident, organizer, and community advocate, I have spent over two decades helping families secure housing, supporting small businesses, partnering with faith institutions, and building resources for working people. I am running to ensure policies reflect our lived realities: affordable housing, economic opportunity, safe neighborhoods, and strong schools. My commitment is simple: listen deeply, lead with accountability, and fight every day, no matter what, so Brooklyn families have a fair opportunity to thrive together, forward, always.

What difference will you make for your community? (100 words max)

I will make a difference by bringing community-driven leadership to Albany with leadership rooted in lived experience, accountability, and results. I will fight for deeply affordable housing, real investments in NYCHA, stronger support for small businesses, and expanded access to quality schools, workforce opportunities, and health resources for all. I am committed to ensuring public funding reaches the neighborhoods that need it most and that residents have a real voice in shaping policies that impact their lives. My focus is on building safer, healthier, and more economically stable communities so working families, seniors, and young people across Brooklyn can truly thrive.

How will you support and empower the LGBTQ+ community, particularly at a time when transgender people are under sustained attack from the Trump Administration? (100 words max)

I am committed to ensuring our community remains a sanctuary for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. As federal protections face rollbacks, I will champion local non-discrimination ordinances, ensure funding for mental health resources such as Assembly Bill 10093, which calls for a 24 hours Mental Health crisis hotline, and protect access to gender-affirming care. True empowerment means more than just defense; it means actively including transgender voices and grassroots advocates in our decision-making processes. I will use my office to challenge discriminatory rhetoric and reinforce that human rights include everyone, guaranteeing that every resident within the 57th can live safely, authentically, and with the full protection of the law.

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

I will support Brooklynites targeted by ICE by fighting against the politicization for stronger state protections, like the NY For All Act that ensures access to legal representation with Language access, due process, and safe access to essential services without fear. Mandatory legal representatives to increase visibility inside the court. As a fight to protect all sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and community mutual aid spaces, and fight against harmful language that promotes bigotry, strengthen partnerships with trusted community organizations that provide rapid-response support. Our immigrant neighbors are essential to Brooklyn’s strength and economy, and I will stand firmly against policies that

separate families and instead advance legislation that protects immigrant rights, promotes inclusion, and ensures that every resident, regardless of status, can live with dignity and safety.

Who did you endorse in the 2025 Mayoral Election, in both the primary and the general election? (100 words max) I endorsed Zohran Mamdani in both the primary and General election. I had the chance to support him on his campaign during his Assembly re-election in 2023 and experienced his efforts to be present for NYCHA and marginalized communities within his district.

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)

I strongly support efforts to make our local party more accountable, transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the communities it serves. I share the core goals of reform: expanding grassroots participation, increasing transparency in party decision-making, and ensuring that leadership reflects the diversity and voices of Brooklyn neighborhoods. I am committed to working collaboratively with reform-minded district leaders, community organizations, and residents to strengthen democratic participation at every level. Whether through supporting reform candidates or advancing structural improvements, my focus will remain on building a party infrastructure that is transparent, people- driven and centered, and truly reflective of Brooklyn’s poor, working families and community leadership.

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 other areas? (100 words max)

I believe state and local leaders must serve as moral compasses when federal policy contradicts our values. I have stood alongside activists in calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to military aid and militarization of publicly funded facilities and non-profits that fuel civilian suffering. Furthermore, I oppose the Trump Administration’s interventionist 'Donroe Doctrine' and stand in support of our federal legislators who are fighting against this. from the destabilizing and abolishing military actions in Venezuela, West Africa, and Haiti, and beyond. I will champion legislative resolutions and true divestment strategies that signal our community's refusal to be complicit in supporting global aggression, ensuring our state remains a voice for diplomacy, freedom, human rights, and international law.

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)?Yes

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 (except lists of specific organizations (unions, etc.) or elected officials)? Yes. If endorsed, I fully commit to using LID’s full name and logo on my campaign website, literature, and digital materials. I value the prestige and history of the Lambda Independent Democrats, and I would be proud to display your branding prominently to signal my alignment with the LGBTQ+ community and LID’s mission."

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.