East Harlem, El Barrio, Randalls and Wards Island

Robert J. Rodriguez ★ Preferred Candidate
Age: 44
Occupation: New York State Assembly Member
Education: Yale University, B.A.; New York University, M.B.A.
Candidate Website: http://robertrodriguez.nyc/

Robert J. Rodriguez has been an Assembly Member since 2011 and currently chairs the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment. The son of former City Council Member Robert Rodriguez, Sr., Rodriguez was born and raised in District 68. He prioritizes increasing NYCHA funding, passing the NY Health Act, and increasing support for public schools. Rodriguez supports most of Citizens Union’s reform agenda, however he has qualified opposition to capping legislators’ outside income at 25%, as he believes that this percentage creates a barrier to entry for many candidates, and he is concerned about the role of the executive in appointing judges in the proposed court consolidation system. Additionally, he supports reducing the vote threshold for party registration and believes campaign finance reform should never have been coupled with the regulation of ballot access. He has been a co-sponsor of a number of voter reform bills including, among others, legislation for same day registration, voter friendly ballots, and consolidated state and federal primaries. Based on his familiarity with the issues, as well as his previous legislative record and capacity to advance a good government agenda, Citizens Union prefers Rodriguez in this race.

Tamika Mapp
Age: 44
Occupation: President, East Harlem Tax Service
Education: Kaplan University, B.S.
Candidate Website: https://www.cc68ad.com/

Tamika Mapp is a business owner, member of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, local community activist, and County Committee Member. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, and moved to East Harlem in 2008 after serving in the U.S. Army. In 2009, she opened the East Harlem Tax Service, a community tax and insurance company, which she now runs with her wife. She has run several campaigns for local political office over the past decade, but this is her first time on the ballot for State Assembly. Mapp supports Citizen Union’s reform agenda, and also prioritizes sufficient and affordable housing through Community Land Trust funding, adjusting the median income of each neighborhood, and ensuring that the district’s tax abatement programs do not expire. Citizens Union admires Mapp’s dedication to serving the public and to her district, particularly her work to inform constituents about the current election and her community support during the current crisis.