Jessica Ramos Elected to New York State Senate, One of Several New Faces in Albany

Jessica Ramos, State Senator elect for the 13th senate district.

Nov. 7, 2018 By Meghan Sackman

Voters have elected Jessica Ramos to the State Senate, where she will represent the 13th Senate District, covering the neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst, and Woodside.

Ramos won with 41,214 votes, or roughly 89 percent of the vote, while State Sen. Jose Peralta, who she defeated in the September primary, received 4,469 votes, or 10 percent of votes. Roughly 96 percent of precincts have reported as of press time.

The 33-year-old Senator-elect is a Jackson Heights resident, the daughter of an immigrant, a mother, and a Queens advocate.

She prides herself, she says, on being a “real Democrat”— a nod to Peralta, who had been accused of failing the party due to his involvement with the now disbanded Independent Democratic Caucus (IDC), a group of State Senate Democrats that caucused with Republicans.

Ramos ran on a platform that includes fighting for a more functional and efficient subway system, strengthening rent laws to keep living costs affordable for New Yorkers, more funding for public schools, especially in communities of color, and helping small businesses.

Ramos says these issues affect her daily life, as well as the lives of people she now represents, and will do everything in her power to make these changes a reality.

“I’m born and raised in my district and I know the things my neighbors need,” Ramos posted on social media earlier today. “It is the corner of the planet I love most, and I want to work so that everyone can live with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Ramos is one of several faces elected to the State Senate, which include Julia Salazar, Zellnor Myrie, and Allessandra Biaggi.

The neighborhood also has a new leader in the Assembly—Catalina Cruz—who became the first former Dreamer elected to the post.

Ramos addresses supporters at election night celebration (Queens Post)