Jessica Ramos

Ramos was born at Elmhurst Hospital and raised in Astoria, Queens, New York City. She is the daughter of Colombian immigrants.{{Cite web |last=Mena |first=Kelly |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos enters race for mayor |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2024/09/12/queens-state-senator-jessica-ramos-enters-race-for-mayor |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=ny1.com |language=en}} Exposed to civic life at an early age, Ramos participated in community activities with the Colombian immigrant community's local civic groups and later on as a Democratic district leader and community board member.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ramosforstatesenate.com/meet-jessica/|title=Meet Jessica|website=Jessica Ramos for State Senate|language=en-US|access-date=November 10, 2018}} She graduated from the Academy of American Studies and attended Hofstra University, discontinuing her studies to work in the office of then-New York City Council Member Hiram Monserrate.{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Rebecca C.|date=2020-07-13|title=Jessica Ramos isn't sugarcoating anything|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/personality/interviews-profiles/jessica-ramos-isnt-sugarcoating-anything.html|access-date=2024-09-15|website=City & State NY|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Barca|first=Christopher|date=September 20, 2018|url=http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/ramos-rocks-peralta-as-idc-pols-lose-statewide/article_ee8b2ccd-934c-57f8-b58a-ee8a3c282581.html|title=Ramos rocks Peralta as IDC pols lose statewide|work=Queens Chronicle|access-date=November 10, 2018}}

Ramos worked in New York City Hall where she was initially a communications adviser and ultimately became director of Latino media from April 2016 to December 2017.{{Clarify|reason=Unclear what "director of Latino media" means|date=August 2022}} In this role, Ramos was the city's top Latina spokeswoman and liaison to the Spanish-language press.{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2016 |title=Mayor de Blasio Announces New Director of Latino Media |url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/338-16/mayor-de-blasio-new-director-latino-media |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The official website of the City of New York}} Before joining city government, Ramos was the communications director for Build Up NYC, an advocacy organization for construction, building, and maintenance workers. She has also done communications work with a local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and a regional branch of the Service Employees International Union.

Ramos has served on Queens Community Board 3, and she was a Queens County Democratic district leader from 2010 to 2014.

In January 2018, Ramos announced her candidacy for New York State Senate, challenging Jose Peralta, a former member of the Independent Democratic Conference, in the Democratic Party primary election.{{cite web|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a23101092/jessica-ramos-new-york-primary-election/|title=Jessica Ramos Talks Running for New York Senate in Midterm Elections 2018|last=Feller|first=Madison|date=September 13, 2018|publisher=Elle|access-date=November 9, 2018}} Ramos defeated Peralta{{cite web|url=https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2018/38/webperaltaramos_2018_09_21_q.html|title=Ramos upsets Peralta in Democratic primary|last=Hallum|first=Mark|date=September 13, 2018|publisher=TimesLedger|access-date=November 9, 2018|archive-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914051709/https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2018/38/webperaltaramos_2018_09_21_q.html|url-status=dead}} and won the general election.{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-york/queens/ramos-sails-victory-unopposed-senate-race|title=Jessica Ramos Sails To Victory In Unopposed Queens Senate Race | Queens, NY Patch|last=Cronin|first=Jon|date=November 7, 2018|publisher=Patch.com|access-date=November 9, 2018}} Her campaign was endorsed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio,{{Cite news|last=Bagcal|first=Jenna|date=August 13, 2018|url=https://qns.com/story/2018/08/13/mayor-de-blasio-backs-former-aide-jessica-ramos-jose-peralta-queens-senate-race/|title=Mayor de Blasio backs former aide Jessica Ramos over Jose Peralta in Queens Senate race|work=QNS.com|access-date=November 10, 2018|language=en-US}} The New York Times,{{Cite news|date=August 28, 2018|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/opinion/new-york-senate-primary-endorsements.html|title=Opinion {{!}} The New York Times Endorses Alessandra Biaggi, Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie for State Senate in Thursday's Primary|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 10, 2018|language=en-US}} and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/sengillibrand/status/1036290299461545984?lang=en|title=Kirsten Gillibrand on Twitter|via=Twitter|access-date=November 10, 2018|language=en}}

In the Senate, Ramos serves as chair on the Committee on Labor.{{Cite web |last=Arbetter |first=Susan |date=January 31, 2024 |title=N.Y. state Sen. Jessica Ramos on strengthening the workforce |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2024/01/31/jessica-ramos-discusses-strengthening-new-york-workforce- |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Spectrum News |language=en}} She is a member of the following committees:{{Cite web |title=About Jessica Ramos {{!}} NYSenate.gov |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/jessica-ramos/about |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.nysenate.gov |language=en}}

• Budget and Revenue Committee
• Cannabis Committee
• Commerce, Economic and Small Business Committee
• Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee
• Finance Committee
• Judiciary Committee
• State-Native American Relations Committee
• Transportation Committee
• Legislative Women's Caucus
• Select Majority Task Force on Diversity in the Judiciary
• Select Majority Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises

She co-sponsored a bill to decriminalize sex work; known as Cecilia's Act, it would uphold all felony anti-trafficking statutes that are designed to hold traffickers accountable.{{cite web |date=2025-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330055657/https://decriminalizesex.work/new-york-reintroduces-bill-to-decriminalize-sex-work/ |archive-date=2025-03-30 |url-status=live |url=https://decriminalizesex.work/new-york-reintroduces-bill-to-decriminalize-sex-work/ |website=Decriminalize Sex Work |title=New York Reintroduces Bill To Decriminalize Sex Work}}{{cite web |date=2024-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118145459/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/donald-trump-new-york-election-results-turning-red.html |archive-date=2024-11-18 |url-status=live |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/donald-trump-new-york-election-results-turning-red.html |website=New York magazine |last=van Zuylen-Wood |first=Simon |title=The End of Denial: How Trump's rising popularity in New York (and everywhere else) exposed the Democratic Party's break with reality}} In 2023, Ramos criticized Governor Kathy Hochul's proposals to ease housing construction in New York because not all local labor unions supported the proposals.{{Cite web |last=Destra |first=Shantel |date=2023-07-18 |title='We will wait no longer': Hochul announces housing executive orders |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2023/07/we-will-wait-no-longer-hochul-announces-housing-executive-orders/388629/ |website=City & State NY |language=en}} That same year, Ramos called for "good cause eviction" tenant protections to be included in any budget housing proposal.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Rebecca C. |date=2023-04-19 |title=Lawmakers to Hochul: No housing without 'good cause' |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2023/04/lawmakers-hochul-no-housing-without-good-cause/385400/ |website=City & State NY |language=en}}

In 2025, Ramos introduced the "Recourse Act," which would allow the New York State Governor to withhold state tax dollars if the U.S. President cuts federal spending the city relies on for supporting critical agencies, saying, "If Trump cuts our funding, then we will withhold our taxes."{{Cite web |last=Stark-Miller |first=Ethan |date=2025-03-27 |title=NYC Mayor’s Race: Democratic primary challengers Ramos and Myrie float plans to combat Trump funding cuts {{!}} amNewYork |url=https://www.amny.com/politics/democratic-primary-challengers-nyc-mayor-trump-cuts/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.amny.com |language=en-US}}

She is opposed to building Metropolitan Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, an integrated resort next to Citi Field with a casino proposed by Mets owner Steve Cohen.{{cite news |last=Drellich |first=Evan |date=May 28, 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5524925/2024/05/28/steve-cohen-citi-field-casino-setback/ |title=Steve Cohen's Citi Field casino bid suffers major blow, project's future uncertain |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 28, 2024}} New York state officials announced in April 2022 that they would issue three casino licenses in Downstate New York.{{Cite news |last1=Hong |first1=Nicole |last2=Rubinstein |first2=Dana |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Where Could a Casino Be Built in New York City? What We Know |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/nyc-casino-tracker.html |access-date=October 30, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |last=Short |first=Aaron |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Manhattan Casino Push Could Turn Out to Be a House of Cards |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2022/08/manhattan-casino-push/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=Commercial Observer}} Following this announcement, in 2023, New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen proposed a redevelopment of the parking lot west of Citi Field.{{cite web |last=Byfield |first=Erica |last2=Luck |first2=Brad |title=New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen Announces $8B Plan to Develop Area Around Citi Field in Queens |website=NBC New York |date=November 7, 2023 |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-mets-owner-steve-cohen-announces-8b-plan-to-develop-area-around-citi-field-in-queens/4840197/ |access-date=May 14, 2024}}{{cite web |last=Gannon |first=Devin |title=Mets Owner Reveals 'Metropolitan Park' Proposal for $8B Casino Complex Next to Citi Field |website=6sqft |date=November 7, 2023 |url=https://www.6sqft.com/mets-owner-reveals-metropolitan-park-proposal-for-8b-casino-complex-next-to-citi-field/ |access-date=May 14, 2024}}

In February 2025, the City Planning Commission voted in favor of approving zoning changes which would allow for the project to be built. The area is zoned as parkland and zoning changes are needed to allow the project to move forward. Neighboring community boards have also voted in favor of the proposed development.{{cite web | last=O’Brien | first=Shane | title=Flushing’s Metropolitan Park casino proposal gets City Planning Commission green light – QNS | website=QNS | date=February 20, 2025 | url=https://qns.com/2025/02/metropolitan-park-casino-city-planning-green-light/ | access-date=March 31, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Lands Important Zoning Changes | website=Casino.org | date=February 20, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-lands-important-zoning-changes/ | access-date=March 31, 2025}} In March 2025, the New York City Council voted 41–2 to approve the zoning changes.{{cite web | last=Venugopal | first=Arun | title=Metropolitan Park casino project in Queens wins City Council zoning approval | website=Gothamist | date=March 14, 2025 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/metropolitan-park-casino-project-in-queens-wins-city-council-zoning-approval | access-date=March 15, 2025}} Later that month, fellow state senator John Liu announced that he would introduce a bill to reclassify the zoning as commercial space.{{Cite news |last=Drellich |first=Evan |date=May 28, 2024 |title=Steve Cohen's Citi Field Casino Bid Suffers Major Blow, Project's Future Uncertain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5524925/2024/05/28/steve-cohen-citi-field-casino-setback/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web | last=Valle | first=Verónica Del | title=NY senator backs Citi Field casino plan with Flushing Skypark proposal and $100M pledge | website=Gothamist | date=March 30, 2025 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/ny-senator-backs-citi-field-casino-plan-with-flushing-skypark-proposal-and-100m-pledge | access-date=March 31, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Lifted by Liu Parkland Bill | website=Casino.org | date=March 30, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-lifted-by-liu-parkland-bill/ | access-date=March 31, 2025}} In late April 2025, a State Senate committee voted 4–3 to advance a bill allowing the Willets Point section of the park to be rezoned to permit commercial use.{{cite web | last=Durso | first=Isabelle | title=Steve Cohen Wins Key Vote Needed to Build Casino Next to Citi Field | website=Commercial Observer | date=April 29, 2025 | url=https://commercialobserver.com/2025/04/steve-cohen-hard-rock-vote-casino-citi-field/ | access-date=April 29, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Gets Another Boost Following Committee Vote | website=Casino.org | date=April 29, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-gets-another-boost-following-committee-vote/ | access-date=April 29, 2025}} In May 2025, the bill passed both chambers of the New York State Legislature. {{cite web | last=Shriber | first=Todd | title=Queens Casino Plan Boosted by New York Assembly Vote | website=Casino.org | date=May 14, 2025 | url=https://www.casino.org/news/queens-casino-plan-boosted-by-new-york-assembly-vote/ | language=en-US | access-date=May 14, 2025}}{{cite web | last=O’Brien | first=Shane | title=Assembly passes Metropolitan Park parkland alienation bill | website=QNS | date=May 15, 2025 | url=https://qns.com/2025/05/assembly-parkland-alienation-metropolitan-park/ | access-date=May 17, 2025}}{{cite web | last=O’Brien | first=Shane | title=Metropolitan Park receives green light from State Senate, clears way for downstate license bid | website=QNS | date=May 27, 2025 | url=https://qns.com/2025/05/metropolitan-park-state-senate-citi-field/ | access-date=May 28, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Campbell | first=Jon | title=Citi Field casino plan clears major hurdle in Albany | website=Gothamist | date=May 27, 2025 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/citi-field-casino-plan-clears-major-hurdle-in-albany | access-date=May 28, 2025}}

On September 13, 2024, Ramos announced that she would run in the Democratic primary in the 2025 New York City mayoral election, challenging incumbent mayor Eric Adams. She has received support from organized labor, including United Auto Workers Region 9A, Teamsters Local 808, The Chelsea Reformed Democratic Club of New York, and Teamsters Local 804. {{Cite web |date=2025-04-07 |title=Endorsements in the 2025 New York City mayoral race |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/04/endorsements-2025-new-york-city-mayoral-race/401606/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=City & State NY |language=en}} On May 29, the Working Families Party announced its fifth-choice ranked endorsement of Ramos.{{cite web|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2025/05/31/working-families-party-ranks-zohran-mamdani-as-top-pick-for-mayor|title=Working Families Party ranks Zohran Mamdani as top pick for mayor|date=May 31, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=NY1}} By June 2025, her campaign had struggled to gain traction and did not qualify for matching funds or the second primary debate; having less than $10k cash on hand according to campaign finance reports.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2025/06/06/us-news/ramos-who-compared-cuomo-to-biden-to-endorse-ex-gov-for-nyc-mayor/|title=Jessica Ramos — who compared Cuomo to a bumbling Biden — to endorse ex-gov for NYC mayor|last=McCarthy|first=Craig|date=June 6, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=New York Post}} Politico's New York Playbook PM newsletter reported that the campaign actually had outstanding debts totalling over $250,000 due to a vendor dispute which had not yet been filed with the New York City Campaign Finance Board, which could result in thousands of dollars worth of fines.

On June 6, 2025, Ramos announced she would cross-endorse former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary election while remaining on the ballot herself. The move surprised many as Ramos was one of the first elected officials to call on Cuomo to resign in 2021, had previously compared Cuomo's mental state to Joe Biden's health concerns by stating his "mental acuity is in decline" and is considered a political progressive.{{Cite news |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma G. |date=2025-06-06 |title=Jessica Ramos Will Endorse Andrew Cuomo for New York City Mayor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/nyregion/jessica-ramos-endorse-cuomo.html |access-date=2025-06-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web|url=https://gothamist.com/news/andrew-cuomo-endorsed-by-opponent-jessica-ramos-in-nyc-mayoral-race-about-face|title=Andrew Cuomo endorsed by opponent Jessica Ramos in NYC mayoral race about-face|last=Giambrone|first=Andrew|date=June 6, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=Gothamist}}

The Working Families Party, which had endorsed Ramos a week earlier, announced in a statement that “We are sad and disappointed that State Sen. Jessica Ramos has decided to endorse the candidate favored by Trump’s billionaire donors. But we won’t be distracted by this desperate move” but declined to state whether the group would rescind its fifth-place ranking for Ramos.{{cite web|url=https://www.amny.com/politics/nyc-mayors-race-jessica-ramos-endorses-andrew-cuomo/|title=NYC Mayor’s Race: State Sen. Jessica Ramos stuns with endorsement of Andrew Cuomo|last=Stark-Miller|first=Ethan|date=June 6, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=AMNY}} United Auto Workers Region 9A, which had previously voted unanimously to endorse Ramos, announced that it would rescind its endorsement, stating in a release, "Opposing Andrew Cuomo is a non-negotiable for our membership."{{Cite web |date=2025-06-06 |title=UAW REGION 9A UPDATES RANKED CHOICE BALLOT FOR NYC MAYOR {{!}} UAW Region 9A |url=https://region9a.uaw.org/news/NYCMayoralRace2025 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=region9a.uaw.org |language=en}} Jews for Racial and Economic Justice Action, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, state assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Professional Staff Congress, state senator Gustavo Rivera and Downtown Women for Change all announced that they would drop Ramos from their endorsement slates the same day.{{cite web|url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/06/progressives-pull-ramos-endorsements-after-she-backs-andrew-cuomo/405885/|last=McDonough|first=Annie|date=June 6, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=City and State|title=Progressives pull Ramos endorsements after she backs Andrew Cuomo}}

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who left Ramos out of her endorsement slate the day before, reacted on Twitter by quote tweeting a video of Cuomo refusing to mutually endorse Ramos with "lol. lmao." while actress and former gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon quote tweeted a previous post by Ramos critiquing Cuomo saying "I’m choosing to remember the Jessica Ramos who ran to break up the IDC, supported the women who were sexually harassed, remembered the people Cuomo sent to die in nursing homes & always called out Cuomo’s corruption, mismanagement & lies. I’ll miss that Ramos, where did she go?💔"{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook-pm/2025/06/06/jessica-ramos-for-andrew-cuomo-endorsement-mayor-00392295|title=Ramos for… Cuomo?!|last=Coltin|first=Jeff|date=June 6, 2025|access-date=June 6, 2025|website=Politico}}

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Category:1985 births

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:American politicians of Colombian descent

Category:Democratic Party New York (state) state senators

Category:Hispanic and Latino American women in politics

Category:Hofstra University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:People from Astoria, Queens

Category:People from Corona, Queens

Category:People from Elmhurst, Queens

Category:Politicians from New York City

Category:Women state legislators in New York (state)

Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature