Juan Pagan

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Juan Pagan was born in New York, New York. Pagan attended New York's High School of Music & Art and earned an associate degree from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2000.[1][2]

Pagan's professional experience includes working as an author, the assistant to the provost for faculty development at the City University of New York's Baruch College, the director of the community centers at Campos Plaza and the Bernard Baruch Houses for the New York City Housing Authority, and a resource officer for the New York State Department of Correctional Services. He has also served as the Manhattan representative to the New York City Department of Education's Citywide Council on High Schools and the president of the Legacy High School Parents Association.[3][1]

Juan Pagan did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Juan Pagan did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Juan Pagan did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a true life-long community member, a citizen representative of New York City, I understand the importance of community and will ensure that our district has the best political representation.

My parents, Rosa and Ramón, migrated from Puerto Rico to lower Manhattan where they met and married. Rosa gave birth to identical twins at Bellevue Hospital; I was her first born.

For the first seven years we lived in a tenement on the Lower East Side. Thereafter, we moved a few blocks north to the East Village in the enclave known as ‘Loisaida’ where I lived in NYCHA’s Housing Developments for well over 50 years.

I have two adult children. My daughter lives with her husband and four-year-old daughter. My son is a sergeant in the NYPD and a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves.

I was educated in New York City public schools, attended the High School of Music & Art, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of maintaining law and order while protecting the civil rights of the people.

To learn more about me please visit my website and click ‘Meet Juan’.

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?

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY: The rising crime rate is the result of current political leaders defunding and demoralizing our police and passing bail reform laws that allow repeat and violent offenders back onto the streets while law-abiding citizens live in fear. As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of maintaining law and order while protecting the civil rights of the people.ECONOMIC RECOVERY: End outsourcing, return jobs and industries to America, and get spending under control to restrain inflation. Rent help and no-interest loans to small business owners harmed by Covid.EDUCATION: Protect education from all regulations that undermine parental authority; support school choice; protect gifted and talented programs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Family, education, small business, homeland security, infrastructure, and ethics.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The philosophy of Mr. Smith portrayed by James Stuart in the movie ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Magnanimity, honesty, fairness, and being consistent are most important in any position of leadership, especially in politics.

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

To truly and faithfully defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States; to repeal, amend, or legislate laws that truly benefit America and its citizens; to make certain that tax dollars are used solely for the benefit of America and its citizens.

What legacy would you like to leave?

True unity among American citizens, united by their love for America and what this country truly stands for despite our differences.

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

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was just a little boy, but I clearly remember my mother crying and my grandmother sobbing when the news came on our television.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The book titled Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas. Just look at America today; Bonhoeffer serves as concrete evidence that history does in fact repeat itself.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe that there should be limits no longer than three House terms and two Senate terms. A similar fashion of term limits should also apply to State and Local government.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

There are many politicians I look up to; it’s difficult to choose just one. These are my top three: Congressman Vito Marcantonio, Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, and President Abraham Lincoln.

Campaign website

Pagan's campaign website stated the following:

INFLATION, ECONOMY & OUTSOURCING

Under the administration of Democrats, inflation has gotten out of control. Our economy is trending on a downward spiral and we need to take back control. We must ensure Americans are able to live without fear of going into debt or surviving paycheck to paycheck. Here is my plan:

1. Reduce Inflation

2. Promote Economic Growth

3. Slash Outsourcing

Reducing Inflation

The yearly inflation rate has risen to over 8.5% in 2022 alone. From month to month, this metric keeps going up, putting Americans in situations where they can't afford basic groceries and gas. We need to:

1. Ease spending and and the money supply to reduce inflationary pressures

2. Get the supply chain back up and running to ensure the flow of goods remains stable

3. Reopen the Keystone Pipeline to regain Energy Independence to reduce gas prices

Promote Economic Growth

We should be relying on our American industry for our own goods, not foreign countries, and especially not our enemies. If we're to stay on top in economic power, we need to promote growth by:

1. Support small businesses with rent, low interest loans, especially after pandemic recovery

2. Rely on American manufacturing to support our industries and imposing tariffs on China

3. Promote New York tourism by creating safer streets and stronger communities

Slash Outsourcing

Foreign labor, $1 trillion trade deficit, millions of lost jobs, declining standard of living. Inflation. All notorious problems, all interrelated, all solvable. Here is a plan to end the stubborn problem:

1. Promote ethical trading through fair trade deals, proper punishments, and good foreign labor practices

2. Promote immigration reform through work visas, enforcing labor laws, and fair wages

3. Ensuring environmental protections through trade agreements

CRIME & JUSTICE

Crime continues to rise in our great state everyday. From the issues of bail reform to not being able to walk safely at night, the common citizen cannot rest knowing what might happen to him. We must:

1. Roll back bail reform so that criminals will not be released the same day

2. Instill morale into the police force and back them to keep our streets safe

3. Back security officers and small business owners to defend themselves from dangerous criminals intent on robbing merchandise or harming customers

4. Reform criminals in prisons with vocational schools so that they may return to society as upstanding citizens

INFRASTRUCTURE REBUILD

As your congressman I will work to bring federal funds to improve subways, buses, water/sewage pipes, bridges, and tunnels connecting us to New Jersey - all in troubling disrepair.

Bursting Pipes & Sinkholes. Aging infrastructure under streets need modernization. It is senselessly costly to wait for pipes to burst and put lives in danger.

Schools. Many schools are aging - mold, poor heating and hot water. They desperately need federal funding.

Clean Energy. I propose installation of solar energy and battery equipment on rooftops. Let’s convert buses and city vehicles to electricity.

Tunnels. Tunnels serve trains and cars under the Hudson River. They are long overdue for repair. I totally support completion of the project. Same holds true for all tunnels connecting subways to the boroughs.

Subways. Our subways are an embarrassment compared to trains running throughout European cities. We need to expedite modernization and regular cleanings in every station.

NYCHA. Our public housing is a disgrace. People live without hot water and heat. They endure mold. What a lousy way to treat children. The federal government must provide funds to repair these buildings and ensure that people never again live without hot water and heat. Progressive and Democrat incumbents, with so many empty promises, really stunk up the system. I intend to take action - and quickly.

Bridges. What would river-edged Manhattan and the city be without its bridges? Drive across them and you see rust everywhere. We had better take action before this problem becomes a catastrophe.

SCHOOLS & STUDENT LOANS

As a father and grandfather, I am disturbed about the poor quality of education our young get. I propose a major rebuild of our school system. Regarding K-12 education, here is my plan.

Special Schools Entrance Exams. Many politicians want to lower entrance standards or eliminate exams. This is reckless. It will lower academic quality. This is the wrong path. It merely locks out the most highly qualified students.

Double the Special Schools. The real solution is to double the number of special schools. Twice as many special schools. Not lower entrance standards.

CRT in Schools. Critical race theory (CRT) and cancel culture threaten academic excellence. Biased teachers broadcasting extremist ideas are not how we want students to learn history. Books should not show bias or blame ethnic groups for events that occurred centuries ago. We should ensure history is taught accurately and without racial bias.

Cap Salary. Cut and cap administrator pay, now averaging $179,000 in much of the state. This will put more money in classrooms, where needed most.

Fire Incompetence. Dismiss teachers who have been expelled from the classroom yet still get paid full salary. Eliminate wasted resources spent on bad teachers. The teacher’s union must protect students, not incompetent teachers. Union contracts must be renegotiated with the understanding that each dismissed teacher will be replaced with competent ones. No jobs will be lost… only incompetent teachers. The sooner the better.

Vocational Schools. Create a citywide vocational school system that increases equity among students who wish to pursue a trade verses a college education.

Teacher Requirements. Raise requirements to become a teacher. We must require teachers to take at least 60 undergraduate credits in their subject areas. Studies have proven that teachers with in-depth knowledge of their subjects produce better students. Furthermore, every prospective teacher must have an overall 3.0-plus GPA. C-minus teachers yield C-mi students.

Safety. Take steps to ensure that schools are safer for students and teachers, as school crime rates have risen 21% in recent years.

Drugs. A zero-tolerance approach must be implemented. Those caught using drugs in or out of school must be sent to rehabilitation specialists. Those selling drugs, no matter what age, must be removed from any school and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Cellphones. Distractions are epidemic in many classrooms. There is little of importance justifying students using the Internet, Facebook, or texting during class time. No teacher should have to quarrel with a student about paying attention and putting away a cellphone. The solution is simple: a citywide ban on use of cellphones during school hours. Cellphones will be stored in a safe room during school hours and returned when student leave school. Parents must not oppose the needs of good education.

Civics Classes. Create citywide civics classes focusing on important topics not covered: finances, respecting police and acting appropriately, showing courtesy to others, basic understanding of government/Congress/Supreme Court, the need to vote, why democracy and participation are important, acceptance of different peoples and cultures, renouncing and reporting sexual assault and inappropriate behavior, responsible sexual practices, the need to follow news and read newspapers, respecting environment, conserving energy, recycling waste, etc.

Restore The Fine Arts. This important part of spiritual life has been gutted for generations. Shame on an system that teaches almost nothing about great music, opera, dance, and Broadway in the cultural capital of the world. We should fund at least two fine-arts teachers in every school. Orchestras, bands, and live music/dance must be part of the young’s upbringing.

Finance & Computer Education. These must be an essential part of high-school curriculum: use of basic computer programs (MSW, etc.), checking, banking, spotting scams, etc.

Government. Students should become part of local government and learn about it firsthand. All students must be required to offer 20 hours of time during high school by volunteering to work in a government office, from councilman to statewide officials, so that they become more of a part of our democracy and see it working firsthand.

Discipline & Attendance. This generational problem — kids behaving badly and disrespecting teachers with no repercussions — sends a terrible message opposite of what students should understand: respecting adults, education and teachers. Systematic change is needed: a) students continuously disrespecting the class must not return and be placed in special classes or schools (newly created for this purpose) where psychology experts trained for troubled kids will address the problem; b) those regularly missing classes will be removed and helped by trained experts; c) parents refusing to make their children attend will be brought to court or fined — whatever it takes to instill a duty to ensure that their children are in class and learning daily.

After-School Programs. We must expand such programs to provide kids with activities and tutors to help those struggling in class. Libraries should be more accessible and provide tutors to assist those in need.

Social Promotion. This is the practice of promoting students to the next grade even if they fail to meet minimum requirements. It must end! Being left back may be hurtful, but being truthful is essential if kids are to be prepared for the real world. Principals, administrators and teachers caught fudging or changing grades must be dismissed immediately and subject to criminal charges. A completely new view of education is needed.

Recreation. Kids play sports on parking lots of concrete. When kids face harsh conditions daily, it conditions them to ugliness and mediocrity. Efforts should be made to improve recreational facilities. Grass and trees are important to a child’s upbringing. Green lands must not belong solely to the suburban privileged.

Summer Programs. City kids are rarely exposed to nature and the countryside. They should know what forests, farms, and animals are. Summer exposure must be promoted as much as possible. Learning to respect nature and the environment suggests actually being within it.

Districts Autonomy. Create regional districts allowing administrators greater flexibility to innovate. The Board of Education, a huge bureaucracy, snarls innovation. Change comes slowly. Greater autonomy gives schools opportunity to address problems intelligently and quickly. The needs of Harlem and Soho are different from those in Queens and Staten Island. Let administrators innovate quickly with enhanced autonomy.

HATE CRIMES, MASS SHOOTINGS & INTERNET HATE SITES

Uvalde… Buffalo… Chicago… over 300 shootings this year… over 600 school shootings since 1998… children, teachers and innocent bystanders murdered. While Washington moved forward with (tentative) legislation dealing with mass shootings and mental health, we need stronger action. Read my proposals.

Our country is plagued by hate crime, mass shootings, and social media promoting racism and violence. We need comprehensive legislation addressing the multitude causes of violence: growing drug use, opioid and prescription drug addiction, mounting depression and suicide, unstable youth exposed to hate websites, schools failing to locate and help troubled students, ease of deranged people buying semi-automatic guns, a healthcare system that does not promote mental illness treatment, ineffective background checks, easy gun access at fairs... Without legislation on many levels, we will face more monthly (weekly?) massacres.

Cyber Crime Police Units. I propose creation of local police cyber units, in cooperation with the FBI, built to seek out and arrest people on websites who threaten violence and death. Shootings in Texas and Buffalo emphasize the need for federal and local law-enforcement designed for 21st-century threats and mentally deranged Internet users who are violent and full of hate. I propose modernized police units equipped to seek out and arrest hate crime criminals on the Internet. Such units would be interconnected with school psychiatrists and nationwide databases focusing on those with severe mental illness who promote violence online. Police are embarrassingly behind, for criminals long ago migrated to the Internet.

Locate Mental Illness. A deranged man with crazy ideas about “the great replacement” killed 10 people. He should’ve been found before he got those guns. Social media has bred hate and violence. Terror attacks occur frequently. Locally there have been Chinatown killings and synagogue attacks. Online hate sites encourage mentally ill people to act violently.

Let’s Be Realistic. Note these two statistics: 1) mass shootings 1998-2019, U.S. 101, all other countries 38; 2) gun ownership per 100,000, U.S. 125, all other countries under 20 (except Canada at 35). The 2nd amendment protects gun rights. Let’s do what is possible. Democrats repeatedly try to ban assault weapons, to no effect. It would be better if they focus on mental health and national database legislation (as noted above). The only realistic path is incremental improvement and cooperation with Republicans instead of finger-pointing and one-fixes-all legislation, for there is no one thing that will end the problem. Many issues need fixing if we are to see improvement. Don’t let good be the enemy of perfect.

Hate Counseling. We need counseling programs that firmly address online hate sites where violent racist hide. This must be equally applied to cyber bullies traumatizing school kids. I propose nationwide programs where local police locate and arrest people on hate sites who talk dangerously, and court mandated requirements that such people undergo mental health counseling addressing their hatred to bring them back to a healthy state of mind… and racial tolerance.

Lax Bail. Part of the problem is lax bail. In one attack on Riverdale synagogues, the criminal was released about a week later. It is a notorious example of widespread bail problems in New York and other cities. Bail reform releasing criminals is part of the problem and therefore part of the solution. Local legislators need to stiffen bail requirements.

Parents of Mass Shooting Criminals. I support criminalization of online threats. Among my legislative plans: 1) national and local law enforcement databases locating people with serious mental illness who may end up getting guns and killing, 2) criminalize parents who knowingly have mentally ill children and let them get guns, 3) subject such patents to criminal and civil lawsuits and let them go to prison for allowing their deeply ill child get guns and kill. Let’s make every parent who owns guns recognize that they have a responsibility to make sure no one, especially very mentally sick children, gets hold of guns.

Arrest Cyber Bullies. Cowardly threats on social media must count as an assault felony. I support federal legislation allowing the FBI to go after hate crimes committed on Facebook and other social media. We’ve got to put a stop to these cowards who threaten people and hide behind websites. This must end. The same goes for teen cyber bullies. Children and teenagers live in fear. It must be addressed. They need to be protected from cyber bullies.

SOCIAL SECURITY, HEALTHCARE & MENTAL ILLNESS

People may pay $10,000-plus for insurance with high deductibles. I will work as your congressman to end this shameful gap in our healthcare system. I will go out of my way to reach across the aisle to create legislation that remedies problems. It is an embarrassment how both political parties squabble about something so obvious as providing affordable healthcare for everyone. I will be the first to shake the hand of my colleagues across the aisle, for it is for the best of all Americans.

Mental Illness Mental illness is one of the most overlooked problems of our healthcare system. I think it’s time for us to place emphasis on this. Case in point, read the following excerpt from a New York Times article about the murderer in the Buffalo rampage, when he killed 10 innocent people.

“Mr. Gendron’s newly discovered online posts also cast doubt on the thoroughness of his mental health evaluation. ‘I had to spend 20 hours in that ER waiting for somebody to give me 15 minutes to talk to me,’ he wrote. ‘This proved to me that the US healthcare system is a joke.’”

Why didn’t the “experts” pay attention and get him treatment? His death spree could’ve been prevented had professionals not been apathetic. It is a scary condemnation of our healthcare system. This deeply sick man made statements online about his plans and was able to buy guns. His high school record indicated he was pulled aside for dangerous and violent comments. They let it slip by.

COVID: RETURNING TO NORMAL

We cannot live as if Covid is the same killer it was two years ago. It’s not.

The CDC estimated there were 52,000 influenza deaths in the 2017-18 flu season. Using that as a reference for “normal”, it averages 142 deaths/day. By comparison, the recent range is 260 to 350 (mostly unvaccinated people!). Even in normal times we witness nearly 150 deaths/day. We are getting closer to “normal”. (We averaged over 2000/day in January.) Dr. Fauci stated on The PBS NewsHour that we are “out of the pandemic phase.“ We need to move to normalcy for we risk permanent overreaction. Plummeting Covid deaths among the vaccinated reinforces this. Covid has mutated many times. We cannot live as if it were the same killer it was two years ago. Beware our becoming a “hypochondriac society.”

Virus-Killing Technology. Promote virus-killing UVC ventilation everywhere - subways, buses, stores, elevators, auditoriums, etc.

Fear. Perhaps it’s time to call cases “flu” rather than Covid. Covid is a common family of virus species - not a death sentence! Even in the worst of times nearly 98% of people who caught it recovered. Stop overreacting. We are harmed by the obsessive Covid news coverage for over two years, yet 98-99% of people who catch Covid (or a variant) recover. The remaining 1-2% are mostly unvaccinated, old or had underlying health problems. We overreact.

2nd Booster I fear overly zealous officials and employers will force people against their will to get a second booster to keep their jobs. It unfairly threatens careers. As long as deaths among the vaccinated remain low, let people who got vaccines choose whether to get a second booster.

Mutations. Covid mutated many times and mutations are behaving like a normal flu. Vaccinated people seem normal. Government officials must calm the fear.

Ruined Careers. Ruining careers is wrong - career-ruining mandates further divide our nation.

Antibodies. People with natural covid immunity through antibodies deserve to be considered the equivalent of vaccinated. Who arbitrarily decided that natural immunity does that count?

Small Businesses. Small business owners were ruined by no fault of their own. We need to help small business owners recover, and those bankrupted must be given no interest government loans so that they can attempt to restore their lost businesses.

CLEAN ENERGY JOBS & PLASTIC POLLUTION

Imagine investing in a new industry called “petroleum” in 1880. John D. Rockefeller did. By 1920 he was a multi-billionaire. Clean energy now offers such opportunities. If New York invests wisely, imagine the wealth and thousands of jobs we can create. My plan foresees cooperation with industry giants like Exxon and Tesla over the next 30 years. The industries of geothermal, tidal, solar and fusion energy are the Microsofts, Googles and Amazons of the future. Do it… before China does.

Let Chevron and Ford, GM and Apple lead the way in ending world dependence on dirty oil from hostile nations like Russia or Iran. I want our city and state to lead the way. I want thousands of jobs to be created in New York as we build internationally admired products providing clean energy.

America must do it. Not China. Us. In past times America was at the cutting edge of emerging technologies. Make it happen again! Let’s keep the technology “American” and keep the jobs here. Unleash the genius of American industry with government encouragement. Do it patiently. Let New York City be the headquarters of the enormous clean energy industries of the future.

Destroying Our Future. Better put, our own government is destroying our future prospects. Read the following excerpt from the New York Times:

“Since then the U.S. share of solar component shipments worldwide fell to less than 1 percent in 2021 from 13 percent in 2004. China’s share of the production of solar components has increased over the past two decades from virtually nothing to nearly 85 percent today. For some solar components, that could rise to 95 percent in the coming years, according to a report this week from the International Energy Agency.”

The solution is self-evident: Congress passing legislation to promote domestic clean energy industries. Not angry politicians screaming about stolen elections or left-wing matters instead of managing our economy correctly. I will be different. My congressional opponent is devoid of ideas and will take no action. Some 30 years in office, what has she accomplished? For starters, decimated domestic clean energy industries. You want more of her?

Plastics Ocean Pollution. One pathetically overlooked problem with our environment involves plastics. Recent reports indicate that about 8% of plastics thrown out get recycled. Shocking. These plastics end up in the oceans, breaking down into tiny particles poisoning the ecosystem. Plankton, then fish, eat these tiny plastics particles. It’s in our seafood. Every time you swallow that cod or tunafish sandwich, you may be swallowing a bunch of microscopic plastic. Hmm… It’s hard to believe that government is not taking serious action. As your next congressman, plastics pollution will be a high priority for me. I will sponsor legislation that takes real action -starting with thorough nationwide plastics recycling with no loopholes. One wonders why my Democratic opponent claiming concern for the environment has not taken firm action. So much for lip service. If you want cleaner oceans - and safe seafoods - I’m your guy.

This is my quest once elected as your congressman. Together let’s make this happen!

NYCHA & AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Politicians talk about housing but do little to help. I know! I am a NYCHA resident. We endure mold, broken elevators and frequent loss of hot water and heat. I will bring Federal funding for repairs.

Expand Housing. Housing is in crisis. It costs more to live here than in most other urban areas in the U.S. New Yorkers’ wages have been stagnant over the past decade, and yet monthly expenses rise without mercy. Housing costs have escalated for all income brackets. That’s why we have to expand and upgrade New York City’s housing stock to meet our growing population demands. We have to concentrate on moderately priced housing because the middle class has been hit the hardest.

25% Income Rent Cap. One proposal I offer is a program guaranteeing low income families with income up to $47,000, about the average NYCHA income, will pay 25% of income for rent but never more. The rest will be subsidized by the government. This will be an important component of creating affordable housing without onerous rent control rules that harm or bankrupt building owners.

Oligarch Tax. Midtown Manhattan is filled with luxury high-rise buildings that are empty almost all year. This is some lousy way for a city government to handle the housing shortage. I propose a heavy tax on the super rich, and they can certainly afford it. A 10% tax of the purchase price. And a 20% tax on their yearly rental. The money gained will be used to subsidize rent for the needy in New York. If it has a tempering affect on rich people moving here, so what. They are here so little, what does it matter?

End Subsidies for Rich. With an increasing population and a diminishing affordable housing supply, New York is facing a huge crisis. Even though new housing has been built over the last two decades, it is mostly at the upper end of the spectrum. New York is unique in that a large portion of housing is sold to non-New-Yorkers who live here only part-time. About 40% of apartments have been purchased by foreigners in recent years. That’s not counting US citi