Jo Anne Simon
About
Based in Brooklyn · Age 74
Jo Anne Simon is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the New York State Assembly for the 52nd District. She is a Democrat running for re-election in 2026 and has a long history of civic engagement in Brooklyn.
Attorney
President of the Boerum Hill Association
Founder or co-founder of multiple community organizations including Downtown Brooklyn Coalition, BrooklynSpeaks.net, Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods, Friends of Douglass/Greene Park, Hoyt-Schermerhorn Task Force, Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD), and Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Task Force
Former female District Leader and State Committeewoman for the 52nd Assembly District
Member of the ARISE Coalition
Where they stand
Environmental Advocacy - Public Power
Jo Anne Simon supports shifting to public power for renewable energy, supported the Gowanus Canal Superfund designation, advocated for burying the Gowanus Expressway, opposed fossil fuel infrastructure like the Williams pipeline, and introduced the Stop Polluters Handouts bill to repeal tax incentives for fossil fuels. She has a 100% rating from NY League of Conservation Voters and Environmental Advocates of NY.
Education/Dyslexia/Reading Proficiency
Jo Anne Simon, a former teacher of the deaf, pushed for equitable school funding (Campaign for Fiscal Equity), advocates for students with disabilities especially dyslexia, founded Dyslexia Awareness Day at the Capitol, and promotes evidence-based reading instruction aligned with the science of reading.
Community-Driven Land Use Planning
Jo Anne Simon advocates for community input, responsible city planning, and real affordable housing. She fought for affordability and accountability in the Atlantic Yards project and led community planning for Boerum Hill, including the Hoyt-Schermerhorn development with 37.5% low-to-moderate-income housing.
Their priorities
Issues Jo is raising that aren't a shared debate across the field.
Labor and Workers' Rights
Jo Anne Simon, a former plaintiff-side employment lawyer, introduced the EMPIRE Worker Protection Act to allow private enforcement of wage theft and safety violations. She supports good-paying jobs with benefits and has walked picket lines and attended rallies.
Gun Violence Prevention
Jo Anne Simon sponsored a red flag law, supported New York's first firearms violence research institute, and pushed for comprehensive background checks, bump stock bans, gun buyback programs, and safe storage. She has an F rating from the NRA.
Equality & Women's Rights
Jo Anne Simon helped codify Roe v. Wade into state law, passed gender-neutral legislation for police and firefighters, supported Paid Family Leave, equal pay, workplace discrimination protections, contraceptive coverage, and fought against fake health clinics.
Transit & Accessibility
Jo Anne Simon advocates for equitable public transit, congestion pricing, accessible subway system, expanded bike lanes, car shares, improved bus service, and supported the Safe Streets Program and speed camera program.
Support
Events & record
Others running for State Assembly Member - District 52