State Assembly Member - District 34
Brian Romero
Social worker and former psychotherapist who was chief of staff to Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas for more than four years, then became chief of staff to state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez in May 2025.
Issues Brian is raising
Taxes on corporations and top earners
Wants corporations and the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay more in state taxes: supports raising the corporate tax and taxes on top earners, and passing a stock transfer tax.
Affordable housing and tenant protections
Supports building social and affordable housing and protecting tenants from displacement.
State cooperation with immigration enforcement
Wants the state to pass the New York for All Act to bar law enforcement from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the MELT Act to keep immigration enforcement agents from wearing masks, and the Access to Representation Act to provide legal services to immigrants.
Universal health coverage
Supports passing the New York Health Act to provide universal health care to all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, income or employment.
Child care costs and pay
Supports funding free child care for children and paying child care workers what they deserve.
Background
The son of Colombian immigrants, he grew up in the district and was raised in public housing. Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 66.8% of the vote.
- Son of Colombian immigrants; born in a basement apartment and raised in New York City Housing Authority public housing
- Grew up in East Elmhurst and later Astoria, in the district
- Attended I.S. 141 and the Academy of American Studies in Long Island City
- Attended Borough of Manhattan Community College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Hunter College, earning all three of his degrees from the City University of New York
- Interned with then-Council Member Ydanis Rodríguez in 2018 and 2019, working on legislation and budget issues
- Social worker and psychotherapist for seven years, including in outpatient mental health clinics, and completed an internship at Rikers Island
- Policy manager at the nonprofit GMHC
- Chief of staff to Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas for more than four years, leading legislative and budget strategy
- Became chief of staff to state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez in May 2025 and has since served as her senior adviser
- Chief strategist on the campaign for universal school meals in New York
- Has taught as adjunct faculty at CUNY Hunter College and SUNY Stony Brook University, and worked as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant
- Has served as president of the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC and chair of the National Association of Social Workers PAC
- Unpaid member of the Democratic State Committee representing Assembly District 36 since 2022; community board member
- Member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and of the Working Families Party
- Has been arrested at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and outside U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office in New York City
- Describes himself as a survivor of domestic violence
- Has received awards from Gay City News, the New York City Council and CUNY
- Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary over Rosa Sanchez with 66.8% of the vote (4,916 votes); the Working Families Party primary was canceled, and he advanced on that party's line without appearing on the primary ballot
Support
Letitia James
New York State Attorney General
Zohran Mamdani
Mayor of New York City
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
U.S. Representative (NY-14)
Nydia Velázquez
U.S. Representative (NY-7)
Jumaane Williams
New York City Public Advocate
Money
$109K
raised
Top donors: CSA COPE PAC, Courage To Change, National Association of Social Work