Karen Ortiz

Where Ortiz stands

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about housing justice, particularly saving Fulton Elliott-Chelsea Houses from demolition and preventing the loss of Section 9 housing units. I also deeply care about disability rights and making sure that our urban landscape is fully accessible through centering the experience of disabled New Yorkers alongside the knowledge of disability experts. Finally, as the daughter of small business owners, I am passionate about supporting small businesses, including creative arts spaces. Unfortunately, private equity and mega corporations are swallowing up properties and artificially inflating the cost of owning and renting commercial properties. I support providing low and no interest loans to small business entrepreneurs in NYC.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House controls the budget and collectively, its members wield more power than the Executive and Judicial branches. It is the branch that truly represents the People.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That anyone can lead at any point in their life and that activists belong in Congress.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to people who are courageous enough to stand up for the most marginalized people, locally and globally, even when it costs them dearly. I look up to people who use their privilege to uplift humanity. Some examples are Marsha P. Johnson, Aaron Bushnell, Pedro Albizu Campos, Rachel Accurso (Ms. Rachel), and Gabriela Soto.

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

Elected officials are first and foremost public servants. As such, it is incumbent on them to center and learn from the most marginalized community members. An elected official must also be open minded and an eternal learner.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Being a witness to cruelty on a global scale and feeling powerless to stop it.