NY SENATE DISTRICT 23: North Shore of Staten Island, Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Fort Hamilton Army Base
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton ★ Preferred Candidate
Age: 32 Occupation: Full time candidate
Education: CUNY College of Staten Island’s Verrazano School (B.A.)
To read this candidate’s responses to Citizen Union’s questionnaire, click here.
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton is the former Director of Operations in the office of the outgoing State Senator, Diane Savino. Previously, she
served as a legislative director for Assembly Member Janele Hyer Spencer’s office, who represented eastern Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, and worked on government and community relations at the MTA. Her top priorities include improving NYCHA housing, reforming public safety and criminal justice, and implementing universal childcare. Scarcella-Spanton is aligned with all of Citizens Union’s reform policy goals. In her interview she was candid about her experience working in the state legislature as a young woman and went into detail about reforming ethics in Albany. She indicated support for removing party patronage at the Board of Elections and she supported replacing JCOPE prior to the creation of the New York Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Citizens Union appreciated her experience working in this district and managing the different needs of the two boroughs. Citizens Union believes with her experience in the legislature, as well as her energetic spirit, Scareclla-Spanton will be able to hit the ground running in Albany.
Sarah Blas
Age: 34 Occupation: Freelance Equity and Inclusion Consultant
Education: CUNY College of Staten Island
To read this candidate’s responses to Citizen Union’s questionnaire, click here.
Sarah Blas is a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, and has worked with a number of organizations on Staten Island, including the Community Education Council for District 31, where she is an elected member. Her top priorities include improving housing, healthcare and education. Blas supports all of Citizens Union’s reform policy goals. In her interview she mentioned supporting legislation to professionalize the Board of Elections and spoke about the lack of trust her community has in state government. Citizens Union appreciated her connections to both Staten Island, where she currently resides, and Brooklyn, where she grew up. The group was impressed to learn that she organized to register voters in NYCHA housing, where she is also a resident. Citizens Union encourages her to continue her community and civic involvement.
Bianca Rajpersaud
The candidate did not respond to Citizens Union’s questionnaire.
Rajiv Gowda
The candidate did not respond to Citizens Union’s questionnaire.