Kristen Gonzalez: Quotes and Statements

Following her decisive win in the August 2022 Democratic primary, Gonzalez addressed supporters at a victory party in Long Island City, declaring that the result demonstrated that democratic socialism was not going away and that her movement would continue to build a socialist slate across the city . She attributed the victory to grassroots organizing and direct voter engagement, noting that she had knocked on doors and spoken to as many residents as possible despite being outspent by her opponent .

Gonzalez has framed AI regulation as an urgent responsibility for state government, arguing that artificial intelligence is already affecting daily life and that irresponsible deployment poses serious risks to communities and public trust in institutions . She has stated that New York cannot wait for Washington to act and must lead with legislation that balances innovation with accountability . She has described her New York AI Act as a measure ensuring that AI systems used in employment, housing, and healthcare decisions do not harm workers, consumers, or marginalized communities .

Gonzalez has described data center regulation as a matter of environmental justice and consumer protection, arguing that technology should improve people's lives rather than drive up utility bills, strain energy grids, or undermine climate goals . She has pointed to the experience of other states, citing reports of significant electricity bill increases near data centers in Virginia as a cautionary example . She has stated that if the wealthiest companies in the world have the resources to invest billions in data center development, they should also have the resources to build out renewable energy sources to power those facilities .

Following the Senate's passage of the Build Public Renewables Act in February 2023, Gonzalez described the legislation as decisive action on climate justice that would transform the energy sector by empowering the New York Power Authority to build and own new generating projects . She highlighted the provision allowing NYPA to sell energy at rates 50 percent below what private utilities charge, framing it as a lifeline for low-income New Yorkers struggling with energy costs .

Gonzalez has described the closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel as devastating to the community and disproportionately harmful to low-income patients from medically underserved communities . She called the indefinite delay of the closure in July 2024 a major step forward and proof that communities can win when they organize together, while cautioning that the fight was not yet over . She has stated that the healthcare system is in crisis and that New York must protect community hospitals and prioritize healthcare access for the most vulnerable residents .

Gonzalez has spoken openly about her membership in the Democratic Socialists of America, describing herself as proud to be part of the organization and noting that her campaign rejected the politics of fear and division promoted by opposing forces funded by real estate and dark money interests . She has framed her political approach as rooted in the belief that every New Yorker deserves a dignified life, encompassing housing as a human right, publicly owned renewable energy, and accessible healthcare .

Gonzalez has stated that New York has a responsibility to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of children's safety, citing dozens of tragic cases around the country involving AI chatbot interactions with minors . She described the passage of her AI chatbot safety legislation as a commitment to ensuring that technology is developed responsibly and does not endanger young people .

At her inaugural State of the District event in November 2025, Gonzalez stated that protecting democracy and fighting fascism would require collective action . She connected the theme to her legislative priorities, including election integrity, AI transparency, and the defense of civil liberties against what she characterized as threats from the federal level .

Gonzalez has spoken about how her upbringing by a single mother in a one-bedroom apartment in Elmhurst shaped her understanding of economic hardship and motivated her to seek public office . She has described the experience of commuting between a working-class neighborhood in Queens and an elite private school in Manhattan as formative, giving her a firsthand view of the gap between the city's wealthiest and most struggling communities .