Tony Simone

Tony Simone was born in Queens, New York, and lives in Hell's Kitchen. Simone earned a bachelor's degree in political science and applied economics from Hofstra University in 1994 and a master's degree in public management, public finance, and policy from Columbia University in 2001. His career experience includes working as a legislative aide for state Sen. Catherine Abate and as a legislative aide and director of community outreach for New York City Councilmember Christine Quinn. He was a special assistant in the office of the New York State Comptroller H. Carol McCall, executive vice president of East River Media, deputy director of the northeast regional office for People for the American Way, and director of external affairs for Hudson River Park Friends.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a native New Yorker, son of a Peruvian immigrant mother and a Native New Yorker father born in Queens, who drove taxis and trucks to support our family. My mom worked making wigs for chemotherapy patients. My late grandfather, a Teamster’s union delegate, showed me the importance of collective action from a young age.

I live in Hell’s Kitchen with my fiancé, Jason, and our rescue dog, Radar. I have worked as an advocate, organizer, and in government & not for profits on the West Side for most of the past two decades. I’ve led or worked on fights for tenant and immigrant rights, marriage equality, public safety and accessible green space as a volunteer and when I served as Director of Community Outreach for the New York City Council. Most recently, I’ve been the Director of External Affairs for Friends of Hudson River Park. In my various roles, I directed volunteer relief efforts after Superstorm Sandy, led local initiatives to reduce hate crimes, participated in the NYS fight for marriage equality, and defended tenants from bad landlords. I have also volunteered or been a staff member on many political campaigns.

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?

Government can be a force for equity, progress, and the improvement of all our lives. (That’s why I’m a Democrat!) Our district has had strong representation over the last fifty years by Assembly Member Gottfried fighting for our district's interests here at home and for progressive values in Albany. I am eager to continue that strong tradition as our next Assembly Member.I believe in co-governance. It takes a collaborative approach to find lasting solutions to our most complex problems. That’s how we’ll get things done. As an Assembly Member, I’ll bring everyone to the table, new voices from the city and state, public, private, and nonprofit sectors, and most importantly from the local community. I know I can do all this because I’ve done it before, throughout my career as an organizer and advocate serving the neighborhoods of the West Side.I’m not running for this seat for a fancy title. I’m running because I love the community that I’ve lived in, and have served, for over two decades -- from serving on the community board to working for local elected officials and most recently working for Friends of Hudson River Park. I’m best positioned to deliver on the needs of this community because I’m part of the community and know it. That’s why local elected officials like Rep. Jerry Nadler, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and the retiring Assemblymember Dick Gottfried, Council Member Erik Bottcher are supporting me, along with local activists, community leaders, labor unions, and political clubs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Civil rights, racial and economic justice: I have organized and advocated throughout my public service career. We need someone with a track record to fight for reproductive choice, LGBTQ+ equality, immigrant rights.

Housing: I support good cause eviction, rent protections for market rate housing, bills to protect tenants, & housing for people who are homeless, low- & middle- income w/o subsidizing developers.

Climate change: NYS needs a radical green agenda. I support public renewable energy, improved mass transit, all electric buildings, and will work to improve water & air quality.

Health care: I will carry on Assemblymember Gottfried’s legacy by being a true advocate & champion for the NY Health Act & support increasing funding for safety net hospitals.

Penn Station: I oppose the current plan, which is more of a real estate plan than a transportation plan. I oppose the use of eminent domain. We need a commitment to examine the possibilities of moving Madison Square Garden and also implementing through-running trains at Penn. See my op-ed on Penn.

Public safety: Crime is up nationwide. We can take many actions on the state and local levels. At the start of the campaign, I released a public safety plan that includes the need to stop illegal guns from other states, rebuild bonds between communities and the NYPD, & copy what other cities did to deal with the mental health crisis, and investing in our youth (such as afterschool & summer programs)