Jessica González-Rojas

Jessica González-Rojas
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 34th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2021
Preceded byMichael DenDekker
Personal details
Born (1976-05-19) May 19, 1976
PartyDemocratic
EducationBoston University (BA)
New York University (MPA)
Signature
WebsiteState Assembly website

Jessica González-Rojas (born May 19, 1976)[1][2] is an American activist, politician, and academic serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 34th district since 2021. A Democrat and member of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America, she was first elected in 2020 after defeating incumbent Michael DenDekker in the primary.[3] She is currently running to represent the 13th district in the New York State Senate.

Early life, education, and career

González-Rojas earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Boston University and a Master's in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.[4] González-Rojas is of Paraguayan and Puerto Rican descent.[5]

González-Rojas previously served as the executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, an organization that advocates for access to affordable health and reproductive care for Latino and immigrant communities.[4] González-Rojas has additionally served as an adjunct professor of Latin American Studies at the City University of New York's City College.

New York State Assembly

In 2019, González-Rojas announced she was running in the 2020 Democratic primary for the 34th district of the New York State Assembly, held by Michael DenDekker, and covering parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside, Corona and East Elmhurst, all within Queens, New York.[6] Her campaign was endorsed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.[7] She won the June primary and the November election. She was re-elected in November 2024, running on the Democratic Party and Working Family Party lines.[8]

González-Rojas is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).[9] In the 2021 New York City mayoral election, she was the first elected official to endorse Dianne Morales, a progressive nonprofit executive.[10]

In December 2024, González-Rojas' bill was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul mandating that all New York State agencies add Middle Eastern and North African categories on applications and surveys for self-identification.[11]

Committee membership

González-Rojas is a member of the Committee on Children and Families, the Committee on Cities, the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, the Committee on Environmental Conservation, and the Committee on Social Services. She is also a member of the Asian Pacific American Task Force, the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, the Legislative Women's Caucus, the Task Force on New Americans, the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, and the Task Force on Women's Issues.[12]

State Senate candidacy

In July 2025, González-Rojas announced her campaign for the New York State Senate in 2026 for the 13th district held by incumbent Democrat Jessica Ramos. Ramos had drawn backlash for previously alienating progressives and endorsing Andrew Cuomo in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Upon announcing her candidacy, González-Rojas was endorsed by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Borough President Donovan Richards, fellow assemblymember Catalina Cruz, and New York City Councilmembers Shekar Krishnan and Tiffany Cabán.[13][14] She is also endorsed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[15]

Local immigrant advocacy group Make The Road Action endorsed González-Rojas in September 2025,[16] and the Working Families Party in December 2025,[17] favoring her over Ramos (whom they had previously endorsed). While González-Rojas is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, she did not apply for NYC DSA's endorsement for this race.[18]

The two candidates differ in their stances on the proposed Metropolitan Park project in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, an integrated resort next to Citi Field with a casino proposed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. Ramos opposes it while González-Rojas supports it, citing potential benefits to the local area.[19][20][21] Ramos has said that "Jessica González-Rojas is Steve Cohen’s state Senate candidate" and that her "launch was sponsored precisely by consultants of the casino"[22] (at least two consultants on Cohen's lobbying payroll served on González-Rojas’ campaign launch party host committee).[23]

Personal life

González-Rojas is queer.[24]

References

  1. ^ González-Rojas, Jessica [@votejgr] (May 20, 2021). "Proud to share my birthday (and my neighborhood!) with Malcolm X ✊🏽 https://t.co/uXRtdxJosJ" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ González-Rojas, Jessica [@votejgr] (May 12, 2021). "Loved celebrating @JumaaneWilliams birthday today, alongside a line-up of power women special guests: @TishJames, @SenGillibrand & the fierce freedom fighter, @TamikaDMallory. 🥳 Happy 45th Jumaane! I'll be catching up to you in a week! 🎂 #TaurusSeason #YearOfTheDragon https://t.co/Or6fwa2u71" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "Progressive challenger Jessica González-Rojas wins Jackson Heights Assembly primary". QNS.com. 17 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Executive Director". National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  5. ^ Mays, Jeffery C.; Ferré-Sadurní, Luis (2020-06-30). "Insurgent Wave in New York Pushes Old Guard Democrats Aside". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  6. ^ "Jackson Heights leader challenges six-term incumbent Assemblyman DenDekker". Queens Daily Eagle. 26 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Jessica González-Rojas". Bernie Sanders Official Website. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  8. ^ "Jessica González-Rojas". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  9. ^ Parrott, Max (25 June 2020). "Leftward wave still showing its energy". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  10. ^ González-Rojas, Jessica [@votejgr] (February 6, 2021). "Today I wholeheartedly endorse @Dianne4NYC for Mayor. I have known Dianne for 25 years and believe that she has the executive experience and bold vision that New Yorkers deserve. Our city is at a critical juncture. The time is now for an unapologetic demand for equity. https://t.co/VBhZwfojQ9" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Advocates applaud new law for better representation of MENA communities in NY State". 24 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Jessica González-Rojas - Assembly District 34 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  13. ^ Sterne, Peter (July 22, 2025). "Jessica González-Rojas launches state Senate campaign with high-profile endorsements". City and State. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  14. ^ O'Brien, Shane (2025-07-22). "González-Rojas picks up high-profile endorsements after officially launching campaign for Ramos' Senate seat – QNS". qns.com. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  15. ^ Schwach, Ryan (2025-12-19). "Working Families Party goes for JGR over Ramos". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  16. ^ Sterne, Peter (2025-09-30). "Make the Road Action chooses González-Rojas over Ramos". City & State NY. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  17. ^ Hogan, Bernadette (2025-12-16). "Working Families Party makes early endorsements". Spectrum NY1. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  18. ^ Sterne, Peter (2026-01-06). "Here are the NYC seats DSA is eyeing in 2026". City & State NY. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  19. ^ Chu, Haidee (2025-12-15). "All Three Casino Proposals Hit Jackpot". THE CITY - NYC News. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  20. ^ Hartley, Lauren (2025-09-30). "Steve Cohen's Citi Field Casino Plan Passes to Final Step". THE CITY - NYC News. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  21. ^ O'Brien, Shane (2025-05-15). "Assembly passes Metropolitan Park parkland alienation bill". qns.com. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  22. ^ Karpan, Andrew (2025-09-25). "Ramos says casino fight key in primary". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  23. ^ Krichevsky, Sophie (2025-09-29). "The cancellation of Jessica Ramos". City & State NY. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  24. ^ "Coming out isn't the same for everyone". 11 October 2022.
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