Illapa Sairitupac

Illapa Sairitupac (Democratic Party) is running for election to the New York State Assembly to represent District 65. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. He advanced from the Democratic primary on June 23, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the proud son of Peruvian immigrants, and I’m running to make New York more affordable for working people and to stand up to ICE. Fighting for working people and for our most vulnerable neighbors reflects my values and what I stand for as an organizer and candidate. I’m a local tenant organizer, an anti-ICE activist, and also an organizer with the This Land is Ours Community Land Trust, which fights for community land trusts in Lower Manhattan. I received a Masters of Social Work from NYU, and I was previously a mental healthcare worker. I’ve lived in the Lower East Side for almost 14 years.

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?

It’s time for the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay their fair share. I support taxing the rich to help fund transformative social services for everyday people, because all New Yorkers deserve housing, healthcare, and childcare. I will fight for a fairer, more progressive income tax system and to implement a state heirs tax so that the very rich are contributing their fair share towards making New York affordable and equitable.I believe that housing is a human right, not a privilege. As a tenant and community organizer, I’ve seen displacement and soaring rents take a huge toll on my Lower Manhattan neighbors, and I’ve helped renters fight back by building tenant associations and pressuring landlords into delivering the repairs they need. In the Assembly I’ll fight for New York State to directly build affordable housing through a Social Housing Development Authority, for rent stabilization protections, and for the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.We must protect our neighbors and get ICE out of New York. I have organized our community against ICE by leading Know Your Rights trainings, coordinating and growing local networks against ICE, and empowering community leaders. I’ll fight to pass legislation like the New York for All Act, which bars state and local governments from colluding with ICE.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

In addition to fighting ICE and organizing for affordable housing, universal healthcare, and universal childcare, I wholeheartedly support the union movement in New York State and will always stand with workers against corporate greed. I’ve also been very involved in the climate fight because I know we are running out of time to protect ourselves from climate change, and Lower Manhattan neighborhoods are some of the most at-risk in the city from catastrophes like frequent, severe flooding. I’ve organized to win climate action for years and will continue to do so as an elected official.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani

NYC-DSA

Senator Bernie Sanders

Hotel and Gaming Trades Council

NYC Carpenters

32BJ SEIU

UAW Region 9A

UNITE HERE Local 100

New York State Nurses Association

TenantsPAC

CAAAV Voice

Met Council Action

Native Action NYC

Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club

Caring Majority Rising

Voters For Animal Rights

Assembly Members Claire Valdez, Diana Moreno, Emily Gallagher, and Sarahana Shrestha

State Senators Julia Salazar, Kristen Gonzalez, and Jabari Brisport

Council Members Shahana Hanif, Chi Ossé, Alexa Avilés, and Tiffany Cabán

Committee Member Marti Cummings

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a social worker, climate organizer and the proud son of Peruvian immigrants. When I came to NYC I earned poverty wages, and today, like many New Yorkers, I still worry about stretching my paycheck to cover rent, food, medical costs, utility bills, and student loans. So I know what it means to deal with stagnant wages and skyrocketing costs of living. I’m running to protect low income New Yorkers and recent immigrants from the increased powers of the real estate industry and the incredibly wealthy.

I’m also running because Albany hasn’t passed any meaningful climate legislation in over 3 years. Despite supermajorities in both legislative houses, New York is still at only 6% renewable energy, which is far behind even some deep red states. That’s why I’ve fought against the power of energy monopolies and for a transition to 100% renewables by 2030. Last year, I was arrested for protesting in support of the Build Public Renewables act, which would allow New York State to rapidly transition to 100% renewable energy.

Our campaign is powered by small donations and hundreds of volunteers. When I’m in Albany, I’ll be accountable to working people like you, not big donors.

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?

New York should be a leader in the transition from fossil fuels. However energy monopolies like ConEd and National Grid have us stuck at just 4% wind and solar. I’ll fight for 100% renewable energy by 2030.I believe that housing is a human right, which is why I’ve fought to pass Good Cause Eviction. Good Cause would protect New York’s 4 million unregulated tenants from unconscionable rent increases and retaliatory evictions.As a social worker, I’ve seen how for profit healthcare keeps vulnerable New Yorkers from receiving basic medical care. In Albany I’ll continue to fight for the New York Health act, which would guarantee healthcare to all New Yorkers, regardless of income, immigration status or ability to pay.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Taxing the rich. Wealth inequality in New York is higher than almost every US state and growing every year. The rich keep getting richer, and New York’s regressive tax laws are a big reason for the expanding level of wealth inequality in our district and in our state! We must tax the rich and provide universal healthcare, free quality public education, fully funded public housing, and 100% renewable energy for everyday New Yorkers.

I was a volunteer on the 2021 Tax the Rich campaign, which won the great victory of raising taxes on those making over $1 million a year. But there are still areas left untouched and in desperate need of reform. Currently wealthy New Yorkers can leave their children literally tens of millions of dollars, untaxed. Additionally capital gains, another source of wealth for Wall Street and the 1%, are currently untaxed. The result is that everyday New Yorkers are carrying an undue tax burden and receiving fewer and fewer resources every year. We must start taxing these enormous sums to provide services to all New Yorkers and to reduce generational inequality.