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Jessica González-Rojas

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Jessica González-Rojas
González-Rojas in 2023
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 (age 50)
Queens, New York, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
EducationBoston University (BA)
New York University (MPA)
Signature
WebsiteState Assembly website

Jessica González-Rojas (born May 19, 1976)[1][2][3] 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.[4] She is currently running to represent the 13th district in the New York State Senate. She is the second openly LGBTQ female elected to the New York State Assembly and the first openly queer female elected to the New York State Senate.

Early life, education, and career

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González-Rojas was born in Queens[5] and raised in what she calls an "immigrant family and a Puerto Rican family",[6] and is of Paraguayan and Puerto Rican descent.[7] She has lived in Jackson Heights since 1999.[8][5] She earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Boston University[9][10] and, in 2003, a Master's in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.[11][12] She interned at the office of Congressmember Nydia Velázquez.[13] A "defining moment" in her activism occurred in 1994, when anti-abortion protesters outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Boston grabbed her.[14]

González-Rojas at the introduction for the EACH Woman Act legislation.

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.[12] As the head of NLIRH, she wrote and spoke about reproductive justice in news outlets as well as in academic settings.[15][16][17][18][19] González-Rojas has additionally served as an adjunct professor of Latin American Studies at the City University of New York's City College.

From 2002 to 2006, González-Rojas served on the state Democratic Committee for New York's 29th Assembly District.[15] From 2005 to 2013, she served on the New York City Transit Riders Council of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.[20][21][22][23][24]

New York State Assembly

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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.[25] Her campaign was endorsed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.[26] The COVID-19 pandemic caused her campaign to switch to virtual campaigning and mutual aid work.[27][9] She won the June primary and the November election, becoming the first Latina to represent the district.[8] She was re-elected in November 2024, running on the Democratic Party and Working Family Party lines.[28]

González-Rojas is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).[29] In the 2021 New York City mayoral election, she was the first elected official to endorse Dianne Morales, a progressive nonprofit executive.[30]

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.[31]

Committee membership

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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.[32]

State Senate candidacy

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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.[33][34] She was also endorsed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[35]

Local immigrant advocacy group Make The Road Action endorsed González-Rojas in September 2025,[36] and the Working Families Party in December 2025,[37] 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.[38]

The two candidates differed 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.[39][40][41] 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"[42] (at least two consultants on Cohen's lobbying payroll served on González-Rojas’ campaign launch party host committee).[43]

In mid-June 2026, as early voting in the election was underway, New York Focus reported a new influx of campaign spending, with an anonymous donation of $850,000 to a super PAC to support González-Rojas and oppose Ramos. New York Focus described it as "what appears to be New York’s biggest-ever donation to an independent expenditure committee focused on a single state legislative primary race."[44]

González-Rojas defeated Ramos and Hiram Monserrate in the primary election, and will face the Republican candidate in the general election in November.[45]

Personal life

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González-Rojas is queer.[46] She lives in Jackson Heights with her partner and their son.[8]

References

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  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. ↑ "Jessica González-Rojas". Iowa State University Archives of Women's Political Communication. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  4. ↑ "Progressive challenger Jessica González-Rojas wins Jackson Heights Assembly primary". QNS.com. 17 July 2020.
  5. 1 2 Mutoh, Anna (2020-11-04). "González-Rojas Set to End 44-year Streak of White Men Representing Queens District". Columbia News Service. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  6. ↑ González-Rojas, Jessica (2014-04-12). "Speaking Out for Reproductive Freedom - April 12 2014". Iowa State University Archives of Women's Political Communication. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. 1 2 3 Velasquez, Francisco (2020-11-24). "Her Representative Voice". NY City News Service.
  9. 1 2 Coltin, Jeff; McDonough, Annie; Williams, Zach (2020-04-20). "If they can't knock on doors, how do candidates get face time?". City & State NY. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  10. ↑ Richardson, Clem (2014-02-18). "Fresh take on abortion story". New York Daily News. p. 30. ISSN 2692-1251. 1288372133 – via Proquest.
  11. ↑ "Alumni Spotlight: Jessica González-Rojas (MPA 2003) | NYU Wagner". NYU Wagner. 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  12. 1 2 "Executive Director". National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  13. ↑ Farghaly, Mohamed (2026-04-02). "Jessica González-Rojas Bid for Senate Driven by Local Needs". Queens Ledger. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  14. ↑ Jordan, Judi. "Putting Health into the Hands of the People". Latino Leaders. 15 (3) (May/Jun 2014 ed.): 36–41. ISSN 1529-3998 – via EBSCOhost.
  15. 1 2 "Jessica González-Rojas | Guests". BillMoyers.com. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  16. ↑ González-Rojas, Jessica (2014-10-01). "Abortion laws have created two nations, and women of color pay the price". The Hill. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  17. ↑ Cauterucci, Christina (2016-06-01). "When Fox News Covers Abortion, It's Usually a Man Telling a Lie". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  18. ↑ GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS, Jessica. "BOLD, BRAVE, AND PROACTIVE: ADVOCACY AND ORGANIZING AT THE INTERSECTION OF REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE AND LGBTQ LIBERATION". Columbia Journal of Gender & Law. 29 (1): 156–159. ISSN 1062-6220 – via EBSCOHOST.
  19. ↑ Reid, D.; Roberts, D.; Gonzalez-Rojas, J.; Gilliam, M. (2014-10-13). The Continuing Debate on the Medicaid Sterilization Consent Policy: The Advocacy Community’s Perspective. North American Forum on Family Planning Annual Meeting.
  20. ↑ "Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2005 ANNUAL REPORT" (PDF). Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. NYCTRC: New Officers and Membership: Changes. In May, Jessica Lila Gonzalez joined the Council.
  21. ↑ "Meeting Minutes Jan 24, 2008". PCAC. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  22. ↑ "Meeting Minutes Jan 24, 2013". PCAC. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  23. ↑ González-Rojas, Jessica. "LinkedIn: Jessica González-Rojas". LinkedIn.
  24. ↑ Gonzalez-Rojas, Jessica (2009-02-04). "NYCTRC Testimony – February 4, 2009 – Fare Hearing". PCAC. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  25. ↑ "Jackson Heights leader challenges six-term incumbent Assemblyman DenDekker". Queens Daily Eagle. 26 September 2019.
  26. ↑ "Jessica González-Rojas". Bernie Sanders Official Website. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  27. ↑ Ruffner, Zoe (2020-04-15). "Meet Jessica González-Rojas, the Activist and Progressive Candidate Fighting to Save Queens's District 34, "the Epicenter of the Epicenter"". Vogue. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  28. ↑ "Jessica González-Rojas". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  29. ↑ Parrott, Max (25 June 2020). "Leftward wave still showing its energy". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ "Advocates applaud new law for better representation of MENA communities in NY State". 24 December 2024.
  32. ↑ "Jessica González-Rojas - Assembly District 34 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  33. ↑ Sterne, Peter (July 22, 2025). "Jessica González-Rojas launches state Senate campaign with high-profile endorsements". City and State. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. ↑ Schwach, Ryan (2025-12-19). "Working Families Party goes for JGR over Ramos". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  36. ↑ Sterne, Peter (2025-09-30). "Make the Road Action chooses González-Rojas over Ramos". City & State NY. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  37. ↑ Hogan, Bernadette (2025-12-16). "Working Families Party makes early endorsements". Spectrum NY1. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  38. ↑ Sterne, Peter (2026-01-06). "Here are the NYC seats DSA is eyeing in 2026". City & State NY. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  39. ↑ Chu, Haidee (2025-12-15). "All Three Casino Proposals Hit Jackpot". THE CITY - NYC News. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  40. ↑ Hartley, Lauren (2025-09-30). "Steve Cohen's Citi Field Casino Plan Passes to Final Step". THE CITY - NYC News. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  41. ↑ O'Brien, Shane (2025-05-15). "Assembly passes Metropolitan Park parkland alienation bill". qns.com. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  42. ↑ Karpan, Andrew (2025-09-25). "Ramos says casino fight key in primary". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  43. ↑ Krichevsky, Sophie (2025-09-29). "The cancellation of Jessica Ramos". City & State NY. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  44. ↑ Garber, Nick; Bragg, Chris (18 June 2026). "Mystery Donor Spends Record $850K to Oust Jessica Ramos". New York Focus. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  45. ↑ Powelson, Noah (2026-06-24). "Jessica Ramos loses reelection bid". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  46. ↑ "Coming out isn't the same for everyone". 11 October 2022.
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