General Election
U.S. House · New York - 15
Five candidates split over Israel aid, immigration enforcement and housing costs
Ritchie Torres, in the House since 2021, won the June 23 Democratic primary against Michael Blake and Jose Vega. Vega is now on the Speak The Truth line, facing Torres with Stylo Sapaskis (Republican), Gonzalo Duran (Conservative) and Andre Easton (Socialism PSL).
Issues
14 issues · 5 candidates · every claim sourced
Wages, jobs and the cost of living
Central to the raceCongress sets the federal minimum wage, federal tax credits for families and the rules for banks and consumer lending; the dispute is how far to raise the wage floor and whether to work through tax credits and existing programs or through large new public jobs and industrial programs.
Jose Vega
Proposes large industrial parks in the Bronx paired with skilled-trades apprenticeships, an idea he likens to a New Deal–style jobs corps he has proposed, and a cross-Bronx train line running from Bay Plaza along Fordham Road to Spuyten Duyvil and into Manhattan.
Bronx Times — NY-15 debate between Michael Blake and Jose Vega ↗
Andre Easton
Supports a $30 federal minimum wage, a nationwide federal jobs guarantee, union recognition through card check, and placing the largest grocery chains under public ownership.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Stylo Sapaskis
Proposes raising the minimum wage to $20 an hour.
Branch — Stylo Sapaskis, 2026 NY-15 general election ↗
Gonzalo Duran
Says the middle class is being hollowed out and too many people feel trapped, and says his campaign will focus on restoring accountability, personal responsibility and economic opportunity in the Bronx.
Bronx Times — Gonzalo Duran enters NY-15 race ↗
Ritchie Torres
In coverageSupports expanding the Child Tax Credit and other tax provisions that help low- and middle-income families, stronger tax enforcement against wealthy tax evasion, and preserving revenue for public services such as transit.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on S.J.Res. 18, a resolution disapproving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule on overdraft lending at very large financial institutions, on April 9, 2025. Voted for H.R. 6955, a bill to modify and lessen certain banking regulations, on July 21, 2026.
Voted no on S.J.Res. 18 (House roll call 96, 2025); voted yes on H.R. 6955 · 2025-04-09 to 2026-07-21 · Recorded House votes on April 9, 2025 (S.J.Res. 18) and July 21, 2026 (H.R. 6955)
Discussed at
OneNYC Action NY-15 virtual debate ↗Housing costs and public housing
Central to the raceCongress funds public housing repairs and federal rental assistance and sets the rules for building new public housing; the dispute is how much to spend and whether to keep targeted programs or open the way to a large expansion of public housing and rent aid.
Andre Easton
Wants to repeal the federal Faircloth Amendment so new public housing can be built, fund the backlog of public housing repairs and safety inspections, and use federal rental assistance to cap rent at 20% of income, paid for by taxing billionaires and Wall Street and cutting the military budget. Backs a national tenant right to buy a building when it is sold.
Andre for The Bronx — campaign home page ↗Jose Vega
Proposes returning to a national banking system so housing development can get the capital it needs.
Bronx Times — NY-15 debate between Michael Blake and Jose Vega ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageLists making the Bronx an affordable place to live among his top issues and says he will fight for housing.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Sponsored the Housing Temperature Safety Act of 2025 (H.R. 638), introduced Jan. 22, 2025 and referred to the House Financial Services Committee that day. Introduced the Elder Abuse Prevention in Public Housing Act (H.R. 10017) on Oct. 18, 2024; it was referred to the House Financial Services Committee the same day.
Sponsor of H.R. 638 and H.R. 10017 · 2024-10-18 to 2025-01-22 · H.R. 638 referred to the House Financial Services Committee on Jan. 22, 2025; H.R. 10017 referred to the House Financial Services Committee on Oct. 18, 2024
No public position yet from Sapaskis, Duran
Discussed at
OneNYC Action NY-15 virtual debate ↗Health coverage and hospitals
Central to the raceCongress sets the rules and money for Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health programs, and replacing private insurance with a single government-run plan that covers everyone would take an act of Congress; the question is how far and how fast federal coverage should expand.
Jose Vega
Supports a universal single-payer national health insurance system as part of a Medicare for All policy.
Jose Vega for Congress — Policy Proposals ↗Andre Easton
Supports a single-payer system that provides health care to everyone regardless of employment, with no-cost coverage of reproductive care, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and mental health services.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageSupports Medicare for All and major expansions of public coverage, along with protections against insurer practices.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on H.J.Res. 7, which ended the COVID-19 national emergency declared on March 13, 2020; it passed the House 229-197 on Feb. 1, 2023 and became law. Introduced the No Medicare Clawbacks Act of 2026 (H.R. 9532) on June 29, 2026.
Voted no on H.J.Res. 7 (House roll call 104, 2023); sponsor of H.R. 9532 · 2023-02-01 to 2026-06-29 · H.J.Res. 7 passed the House 229-197 on Feb. 1, 2023 and became Public Law 118-3; H.R. 9532 introduced June 29, 2026
No public position yet from Sapaskis, Duran
Discussed at
OneNYC Action NY-15 virtual debate ↗Immigration enforcement and legal status
Central to the raceImmigration law and enforcement money come from Congress, which in 2025 enacted a law requiring federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of certain theft crimes; the dispute runs from expanding detention and enforcement to granting legal status to undocumented immigrants and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Jose Vega
Calls for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Patriot Act; says his stepfather was detained by ICE.
Bronx Times — NY-15 debate between Michael Blake and Jose Vega ↗Gonzalo Duran
Criticized the opening of a migrant shelter in the South Bronx in 2025.
Bronx Times — Gonzalo Duran enters NY-15 race ↗Andre Easton
Pledges to sponsor legislation on taking office granting full legal status to all undocumented immigrants, and supports immediate legal status for workers who expose wage theft, unsafe conditions or employer collusion with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Andre for The Bronx — campaign home page ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageSupports expanded legal protections and pathways for immigrants, including Dreamers and people with Temporary Protected Status, along with more transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted for the Laken Riley Act; it passed the House 263-156 on Jan. 22, 2025 and became law. Voted no on the Secure America Act, which passed the House 214-212 on June 9, 2026 and became law, and no on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, which passed the House 221-209 on March 5, 2026. Introduced the Families Deserve to Know Act (H.R. 10107) with Rep. George Latimer on Aug. 13, 2026, to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to notify a detainee's family when the detainee dies, is hospitalized or has a medical emergency in custody.
Voted yes on S. 5 (House roll call 23, 2025); voted no on S. 2 (roll call 214, 2026) and H.R. 7744 (roll call 87, 2026); sponsor of H.R. 10107 · 2025-01-22 to 2026-08-13 · S. 5 passed the House 263-156 and became Public Law 119-1; S. 2 passed the House 214-212 and became Public Law 119-98; H.R. 7744 passed the House 221-209 on March 5, 2026; H.R. 10107 introduced Aug. 13, 2026
No public position yet from Sapaskis
Discussed at
OneNYC Action NY-15 virtual debate ↗Israel, Gaza and U.S. military aid
Central to the raceCongress approves military aid to Israel, including missile-defense money in a 2024 supplemental spending bill; the dispute is whether to continue that aid or end it and bar arms sales.
Andre Easton
Supports an arms embargo on Israel and says he would introduce legislation to end all U.S. aid to Israel.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Jose Vega
Supports ending U.S. military aid to Israel, as he said when asked at the debate held before the June primary.
Bronx Times — NY-15 debate between Michael Blake and Jose Vega ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageHas voted for military aid to Israel, including April 2024 supplemental funding that included money for the Iron Dome, David's Sling and Iron Beam defense systems, and for a May 2024 bill barring federal funds from being used to withhold or cancel delivery of defense articles to Israel.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on H.R. 8034, fiscal 2024 supplemental appropriations responding to the conflict in Israel, on April 20, 2024; yes on H.R. 8369, prohibiting federal funds from being used to withhold, halt, reverse or cancel delivery of defense articles or services to Israel, on May 16, 2024; and yes on H.Con.Res. 57, affirming that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state and rejecting antisemitism and xenophobia, on July 18, 2023.
Voted yes on H.R. 8034, H.R. 8369 and H.Con.Res. 57 · 2023-07-18 to 2024-05-16 · Recorded House votes on July 18, 2023, April 20, 2024 and May 16, 2024
No public position yet from Sapaskis, Duran
Discussed at
OneNYC Action NY-15 virtual debate ↗Public safety, guns and policing
Also in playCongress writes federal gun laws, sets consumer product safety rules and runs a program that transfers military equipment to local police; the dispute is over new gun limits and how much federal support local policing should get.
Andre Easton
Supports ending the federal 1033 program that transfers military gear to local police departments, ending cash bail, overpolicing and police violence, and redirecting billions of dollars from incarceration to housing, health care, schools and jobs.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageSupports universal background checks, closing the Charleston loophole, federal red-flag measures, and a national ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Introduced the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act (H.R. 7077) on March 15, 2022; it became Public Law 117-246 on Dec. 20, 2022. Introduced the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act (H.R. 973) on Feb. 4, 2025, which requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a safety rule for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices; it passed the House 365-42 on April 28, 2025 and was received in the Senate on April 29, 2025. Introduced the Angellyh Yambo Gun Free Zone Expansion Act of 2023 (H.R. 3931) on June 7, 2023 and the AR–15 Perimeter Security Enhancement Act (H.R. 9357) on Aug. 13, 2024; each was referred to the House Judiciary Committee the day it was introduced. Voted no on H.J.Res. 26, disapproving the District of Columbia Council's Revised Criminal Code Act; it passed the House 250-173 on Feb. 9, 2023 and became law.
Sponsor of H.R. 7077, H.R. 973, H.R. 3931 and H.R. 9357; voted no on H.J.Res. 26 (House roll call 119, 2023) · 2022-03-15 to 2025-04-29 · H.R. 7077 became Public Law 117-246 on Dec. 20, 2022; H.R. 973 passed the House 365-42 and was received in the Senate April 29, 2025; H.R. 3931 and H.R. 9357 referred to the House Judiciary Committee; H.J.Res. 26 passed the House 250-173 and became Public Law 118-1
No public position yet from Vega, Sapaskis, Duran
Schools, child care and college costs
Also in playCongress controls federal student aid and loans and could fund child care and pre-kindergarten; the dispute is between expanding aid within the current system and making college tuition-free, canceling student debt and paying for universal child care.
Stylo Sapaskis
Proposes offering financial aid for higher education.
Branch — Stylo Sapaskis, 2026 NY-15 general election ↗Jose Vega
Proposes bringing back classical education.
Jose Vega for Congress — Policy Proposals ↗Andre Easton
Supports federally funded universal child care and pre-K from birth through pre-kindergarten, canceling all student debt, and making all higher education tuition-free.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗No public position yet from Torres, Duran
Abortion and reproductive health
Also in playCongress decides whether federal money, including military health benefits, can pay for abortion, and whether to write either abortion rights or legal protection from conception into federal law.
Stylo Sapaskis
Supports legal protection for human life from conception until natural death and protecting embryos created through artificial methods from destruction; in the same 2026 questionnaire he strongly agreed that abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds.
iVoterGuide — Stylo A. Sapaskis, U.S. House District 15 (2026) ↗Andre Easton
Supports enshrining abortion rights into law, outlawing crisis pregnancy centers, and fully funding clinics that provide reproductive health services.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageSupports access to safe and legal abortion and reproductive justice, and calls for repealing the Hyde Amendment.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on amendments to the fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025 defense authorization bills that would bar the Secretary of Defense from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services, on July 13, 2023 and June 13, 2024.
Voted no on Amendment 5 to H.R. 2670 and Amendment 55 to H.R. 8070 · 2023-07-13 to 2024-06-13 · Recorded House votes on July 13, 2023 and June 13, 2024
No public position yet from Vega, Duran
Elections, parties and campaign money
Also in playCongress writes federal campaign finance and voting law, including how federal campaigns may raise and spend money; the dispute is whether to keep privately funded campaigns or replace private money with full public financing.
Gonzalo Duran
Wants to lower the barriers to getting on the ballot, saying every citizen should have a viable path to run for office; founded the United Alliance Party in 2025 to give candidates the petitioning structure he says they lack.
Gonzalo Duran — United Alliance Party expands petitioning infrastructure statewide ↗Jose Vega
Wants to bring an end to the two-party system in the United States.
Jose Vega for Congress — Meet Jose Vega ↗Andre Easton
Supports banning private money in election campaigns and providing full public financing for candidates, along with legislation to protect the right to vote.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageSponsors the Campaign Event Contract Integrity Act and the Campaign Funds Integrity Act of 2026, both introduced in 2026.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Introduced the Campaign Event Contract Integrity Act (H.R. 8771) on May 12, 2026 and the Campaign Funds Integrity Act of 2026 (H.R. 8912) on May 19, 2026.
Sponsor of H.R. 8771 and H.R. 8912 · 2026-05-12 to 2026-05-19 · H.R. 8771 introduced May 12, 2026; H.R. 8912 introduced May 19, 2026
No public position yet from Sapaskis
Defense and foreign policy
Also in playCongress passes the yearly defense authorization and funds the military; the dispute is how large the defense budget should be and whether the United States should stay in alliances such as NATO.
Jose Vega
Calls for abolishing NATO and for ending the post-9/11 U.S. policies he calls debacles in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria, in favor of a foreign policy of peace through economic development.
Jose Vega for Congress — Policy Proposals ↗Andre Easton
Supports cutting the military budget by 90%.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageHas split on the yearly defense authorization bills, voting for the final 2024 version and against the 2025 and 2026 versions; voted against extending authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in April 2026 and for military aid packages for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in April 2024.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on the conference report for the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670), agreed to 310-118 on Dec. 14, 2023, after voting no on the House's version on July 14, 2023. Voted no on the fiscal 2025 defense authorization (H.R. 5009), which passed 281-140 on Dec. 11, 2024 and became law, and no on the fiscal 2026 defense authorization (S. 1071), which passed 312-112 on Dec. 10, 2025 and became law. Voted no on S. 4465, extending authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act; it passed 261-111 on April 30, 2026 and became law. Voted in April 2024 for military aid packages for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Voted yes on the H.R. 2670 conference report (roll call 723, 2023); no on H.R. 5009 (roll call 500, 2024), S. 1071 (roll call 320, 2025) and S. 4465 (roll call 155, 2026); yes on the April 2024 aid packages · 2023-07-14 to 2026-04-30 · H.R. 2670 conference report agreed to 310-118; H.R. 5009 became Public Law 118-159; S. 1071 became Public Law 119-60; S. 4465 became Public Law 119-87
No public position yet from Sapaskis, Duran
Climate and clean air
Also in playCongress funds clean-energy programs and can overturn Environmental Protection Agency rules; the dispute is how fast to cut emissions from vehicles and buildings and how much federal money to put into it.
Andre Easton
Supports replacing polluting freight trucks with zero-emission fleets, greening the Cross-Bronx, electrifying every school bus and upgrading ventilation in every school building.
Liberation News — Andre Easton, “Fighting for every Black child means fighting for socialism” ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageSupports federal climate action and clean-energy investment, with an emphasis on environmental justice and resilient electric infrastructure.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted no on H.J.Res. 136, nullifying the EPA's emissions standards for 2027-and-later light- and medium-duty vehicles, on Sept. 20, 2024; no on H.R. 1023, repealing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and the EPA methane-reduction incentive program, on March 22, 2024; and no on H.Con.Res. 86, stating that a carbon tax is not in the country's interest, on March 21, 2024. Voted yes on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Voted no on H.J.Res. 136, H.R. 1023 and H.Con.Res. 86; voted yes on H.R. 5376 (117th Congress) · 2022 to 2024-09-20 · Recorded House votes in 2022 and on March 21, March 22 and Sept. 20, 2024
No public position yet from Vega, Sapaskis, Duran
LGBTQ rights
Also in playCongress decides federal anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and funds health and housing programs that serve them; the dispute is how far those protections and programs should go.
Andre Easton
Supports ending LGBTQ youth homelessness through fully funded shelters and permanent supportive housing, opposes policies that discriminate against LGBTQ people, and says access to gender-affirming care should be a decision between a person and their doctor.
Andre for The Bronx — Platform ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageVoted for federal recognition of same-sex marriage in the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the Respect for Marriage Act on Dec. 8, 2022.
Voted yes on the Respect for Marriage Act (House roll call 513, 2022) · 2022-12-08 · Recorded House vote on Dec. 8, 2022
No public position yet from Vega, Sapaskis, Duran
Artificial intelligence and digital finance
Also in playCongress is writing federal rules for artificial intelligence and digital assets such as stablecoins; the dispute is how much disclosure and oversight to require and how to protect workers whose jobs automation could replace.
Andre Easton
Opposes Montefiore's push to replace health care workers with artificial intelligence.
Andre for The Bronx — News (campaign statement, Aug. 12, 2026) ↗Ritchie Torres
In coverageIntroduced the AI Disclosure Act of 2023 and a 2026 bill on public integrity in financial prediction markets, and voted for the GENIUS Act, which created a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Introduced the AI Disclosure Act of 2023 (H.R. 3831) on June 5, 2023; it was referred to the House Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce on June 9, 2023. Introduced the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026 (H.R. 7004) on Jan. 9, 2026. Voted yes on the GENIUS Act (S. 1582), which was signed into law on July 18, 2025.
Sponsor of H.R. 3831 and H.R. 7004; voted yes on S. 1582 · 2023-06-05 to 2026-01-09 · H.R. 3831 referred to the House Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce on June 9, 2023; H.R. 7004 introduced Jan. 9, 2026; S. 1582 signed into law July 18, 2025
No public position yet from Vega, Sapaskis, Duran
Veterans' benefits
Also in playCongress sets and funds veterans' health care and benefits, including care for veterans exposed to toxic substances during service, and sets rules such as when the VA reports a beneficiary to the gun background-check system; the question is what those benefits cover and on what terms.
Gonzalo Duran
Is advancing a national initiative for veterans, the Corporal Yegor Zubarev Veterans Bill; he says it was launched in 2026.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Is advancing the Corporal Yegor Zubarev Veterans Bill, a national initiative for veterans.
Advocate for the initiative (he holds no public office) · Undated; described as ongoing · Described as being advanced as a national initiative
Ritchie Torres
In coverageHas voted to expand health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during service, and against a 2024 amendment that would have barred the VA from using funds to report a beneficiary to the gun background-check system because a fiduciary was appointed.
✓ Track record — what they've actually done
Voted yes on the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (S. 3373), which addressed health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances; it passed the House 342-88 and was signed into law on Aug. 10, 2022. Voted no on Amendment 10 to H.R. 8580 on June 4, 2024, which would have barred the VA from using funds to submit a beneficiary's name to the background-check list based on the appointment of a fiduciary. Voted no on the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act (H.R. 1041) on May 21, 2026.
Voted yes on S. 3373 (117th Congress); voted no on Amendment 10 to H.R. 8580 and on H.R. 1041 · 2022 to 2026-05-21 · S. 3373 signed into law Aug. 10, 2022; House votes recorded June 4, 2024 and May 21, 2026
No public position yet from Vega, Easton, Sapaskis