Anna Kaplan

Kaplan was born on August 23, 1965, in Tabriz, Iran. She graduated from Yeshiva University, Stern College for Women with a bachelor's degree in 1985. She went on to obtain her J.D. from Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1991. Kaplan's professional experience includes working as a New York State Senator as well as being elected to other local government positions.[1]

Anna Kaplan did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Anna Kaplan did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Tabriz, Iran, as Anna Monahemi. I came to the United States at the age of thirteen, as a Persian-Jewish religious refugee, fleeing persecution after the Iranian Revolution.

After graduating from Yeshiva University's Stern College For Women and then the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, I settled in Nassau County and started a family with my husband Darren. I felt a strong desire to give back to the country that opened its arms to me as a child in need. After years of volunteering in my local schools and community, I was elected to the Great Neck Library Board, appointed to the North Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals, and then elected to two terms as a North Hempstead Town Councilmember. I made history in 2018 when I was elected to the State Senate as the first former refugee to be elected to the New York State Legislature and the first Persian American.

Now, I'm running for re-election to the State Senate so I can continue serving my community and Nassau County families.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Bringing Back the Funding and Resources our Public Schools NeedKeeping Taxes in Check & Supporting our Local EconomyEnding Gun Violence in our Communities

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Ending the gun violence epidemic has been one issue of which I've been extremely passionate about. Since arriving in the State Senate, I've been instrumental in implementing the strongest gun safety legislation in the nation, helping to keep our families safe and end gun violence in our communities. In fact, the first bill I introduced and passed closed the part time resident loophole that allowed some gun buyers to avoid a complete and thorough background check.

Now, I'm working to crackdown on ghost guns and unfinished receivers. I've introduced and passed legislation to ban unfinished receivers, which can be used to make untraceable and illegal guns. If re-elected, my first priority is fighting for the passage of this legislation in both legislative chambers, so it can be signed into law by the Governor, and help to make our communities safer.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My best quality as a representative is my commitment to listening. Since beginning my work as a public servant, I've made it a commitment to truly listen to my residents. Whether writing legislation or voting on bills, I will always make decisions based on the needs of my constituents by actively listening to their concerns and thoughts.

My courage has also made me into the legislator I am today. I came to this country at the age of thirteen and, while I was saying goodbye to my family, and the only home I had ever known, I faced it without fear, because I knew that it was the best decision for my family. Now, as a legislator, I am not afraid to make hard decisions. During my time in the State Senate, I've taken plenty of difficult votes, but I've made these decisions with the knowledge that they were the right decisions for my district and for my residents.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

At the core, being a State Senator is about serving the public and doing what's best for our communities. I have worked very hard to make myself fully accessible to the people I represent, and every vote I take and every decision I make is always with the best interest of Long Island families in mind.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the end of the Iranian Revolution-a moment that would change my life forever. I was thirteen years old, living as a religious minority in my country. My family quickly became aware that we could no longer stay in the home that we loved. That's when my parents made the decision to send my brother and me to America.

I'll never forget that day. As a child, it was unthinkably difficult leaving my family and the only home I ever loved, but I am thankful for the opportunity to come to this country and live my American Dream.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is the Great Gatsby, which takes place in my district.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I strongly believe that prior experience is beneficial for all legislators. After years serving as a local volunteer in my local schools and community, I was elected as a Trustee for the Great Neck Library Board and appointed to the North Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals. I then ran for Town Council and served two terms as a Councilwoman for the Town of North Hempstead, before being elected to the State Senate in 2018.

These experiences not only allowed me vital insight into the political process, but also taught me more about my own district and the issues my constituents care most about. I learned about the importance of compromise and how we, as legislators, can reach across the political aisle to best serve our constituents.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives from our health, to our schools, and our small businesses.  New Yorkers came together, worked hard, and made immense sacrifices to flatten the curve and stop the spread of the coronavirus in our communities, but unfortunately, despite those successes, we still face significant challenges ahead in order to ensure our children get the best education possible, and ensure our small businesses continue to survive and thrive again.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Right now, so many small business owners are struggling to survive during the COVID pandemic. I'm proud to serve as the Chair of the Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee and stand alongside our local businesses during this unprecedented time.

I've collected a wealth of insight since being appointed as the Committee Chair, which has given me an important perspective on the needs of our business economy. At the beginning of my term, I went on a statewide tour, meeting with businesses and chambers from every corner of our state, to hear first-hand the needs of our business community. I've fought for legislation to reduce the tax burden, support investment and savings opportunities, develop grant and loan programs, and incentivize job opportunities.

Since March, I've hosted four webinars advising small businesses on small business relief programs and re-opening procedures and fought for legislation to expand access to PPE for businesses.

I'm honored to be a representative for our local economy and ensure that our state does all it can to support our local businesses when they need it most.

The following issues were listed on Kaplan's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

Affordability & Strengthening Our Middle Class: Anna knows we must do something to address the rising costs facing today’s middle class and working families. That is why she is committed to securing living wages for workers, tax relief to help those dealing with rising living costs, funding to create decent jobs and address the needs of America’s aging infrastructure, and addressing college affordability by expanding the Pell Grant program and letting students borrow at the same low rates as America’s big banks.

Protecting Our Seniors: Anna believes that we must protect our seniors – that people who work their entire lives should be able to enjoy their retirement with dignity. That’s why as a Councilwoman she fought hard to successfully secure affordable housing for seniors and expand “Project Independence” to seniors across her district.

Standing Strong with Israel: Anna knows that it is in America’s best interests to stand by Israel – our most important ally in the Middle East – and make sure that it remains a secure homeland for the Jewish people. Anna strongly opposed the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal framework because, as a former refugee that fled Iran as a teenager, she knows firsthand that the Iranian regime cannot be trusted.

Queens: One of the assets of the Third Congressional District is its broad and diverse population – it looks like America. Anna Kaplan is committed to making sure that every corner of the district is heard and has a seat at the table. She also knows Queens has its own unique needs and concerns because she’s lived there, gone to school there and commuted to work from there.

Women: Anna Kaplan, who has been endorsed by EMILY’s list, knows that we need a voice in Congress, now more than ever before, that understands that women aren’t a special interest group. They are our mothers, our daughters, heads of households, community leaders, CEO’s and entrepreneurs. That is why Anna is committed to removing barriers that restrict a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions and will support legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act, which takes concrete steps to eradicate pay inequities.

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—Anna Kaplan's campaign website, https://www.annakaplanforcongress.com/issues/