Alex Bores has spent almost all of his life on the Upper East Side, and attended New York City public schools from K-12. Bores has a master’s in computer science and has spent his career working to improve government’s use of technology, including by helping to implement software for local Covid aid programs. A Democratic District Leader, Bores’ top priorities include requiring new buildings to use electric power, increasing the affordable housing stock in the state, and eliminating subsidies for fossil fuels. Bores supports all of Citizens Union’s agenda items, and he is focused on effectively using technology in state government. During his interview, he detailed creative and well-informed solutions for fair redistricting, independent ethics oversight, and other reform issues. Citizens Union appreciates his engagement with these policy issues and thoughtful answers.

Kellie Leeson is the co-President of Empire State Indivisible and an adjunct professor at NYU’s Wagner School. She previously served as a regional deputy director at the International Rescue Committee and held various positions in international humanitarian and refugee support organizations. Leeson supports all of Citizens Union’s reform agenda. She proposes stronger checks and balances in the budgeting process, reforming the economic development grant system, extending the legislative calendar, improving public engagement and community input on bills, as well as broad reform of election administration. Her non-reform priorities include more funding for public education, committing state funds to climate justice, and providing affordable child care and increased assistance for small business in District 73. Citizens Union admires Leeson’s commitment to improving state government, her experience in building coalitions, and her dynamic approach to the position.

Russel Squire is an attorney and an active community member from the Upper East Side. He is the Chair of Manhattan Community Board 8, a former president of the Lexington Democratic Club, and a District Leader. His top priorities include prioritizing public safety in the district and getting more funding for local schools, including to programs for children who have fallen behind during the pandemic. Squire supports all of Citizens Union’s reform agenda, and his campaign platform on accountability and transparency calls for establishing a stronger ethics agency, professionalizing boards of elections, and revising Albany’s procedures such as “three people in a room”. Citizens Union appreciates Squire’s leadership experience, history of community involvement, and his nononsense approach. However, as a group that prioritizes ethics in government, we are concerned about reports of violations of state campaign laws by the campaign and certain donors to it.