Nashville’s school board spent $1 million on AI “gun detection” scanners that failed to prevent a school shooting. That’s because these weapons detection systems are snake oil, sold by sleazy tech vendors, and paid for by voters like us.

45 years after the CDC's initial report on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, NYC AIDS Memorial, alongside orgs including @housingworksnyc.bsky.social, @callen-lorde.org, ACT Up NY, and @riseandresist.bsky.social, held a vigil mourning 45 years of an ongoing AIDS epidemic. [1/2]

This Pride month, it's time to commit to defending LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers in the face of an onslaught of hatred. This means coming up with concrete strategies for keeping us safe. Assembly District 66 is famous for this, and I am going to make those who came before me proud.

Thanks to everyone who turned out for our Pride Month Canvassing Kick-Off at Washington Square Park! As we see attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people across the country, it's critical that we embrace the political nature of Pride month and fight to protect our queer siblings. [1/2]

On Thurs. I joined @handsoffnyc.bsky.social, @thecirclekeepers.bsky.social, @dignityinschools.bsky.social, Central Queens Mutual Aid, @thenyic.bsky.social, Brooklyn Resist, and @uft.org at City Hall to demand that NYC DoE develop plans to protect schools from ICE. [1/3]

NY passed the nation’s leading climate law in 2019; this yr, rather than implement it, they rolled it back. Trump's crises have pushed the climate crisis off the front pages. We elect representatives to mind the store, because the public can’t pay attention to everything at once. What a failure.

Honored to speak at the Shaping the Future of Privacy in New York panel at Stonewall Visitor Center, hosted by Equality NY and @woodhullfreedom.bsky.social for #NYTechWeek. A great audience question: why do we end up using privacy-invasive tech, and why are most people fine with it? 🤔 [1/3]

This is going to be one of our biggest canvasses yet. We’ll be joined by two rockstar LGBTQIA+ activists, Émilia Decaudin and Tyler Hack! 🔥 [1/4]

Join me at 1PM this Saturday, 6/6 in Washington Square Park for a special Pride Canvass Kick-Off! I’ll be joined by some exciting guest speakers to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, then we’ll break to go talk to voters during this critical stretch of the campaign.

Knicks in 4️⃣‼️

The six-month calendar, coupled with a historically late budget, is preventing the NYS legislature from doing their job. They had just four days to pass a year’s worth of legislation, including the bills mentioned in this @gothamist.com article and our Excited Delirium bill. [1/3]

Until just 4 years ago, a person with a non-binary gender identity couldn't run for party positions in NY without being misgendered. That changed in 2022 with the Gender Inclusive Ballot Act, co-written by Émilia Decaudin + @siffertforny.bsky.social. Imagine what he can do as an actual legislator.

“…the term “excited delirium,” while not a diagnosis accepted by any major medical association, has served…as a justification for excessive force & as an alternative cause of 😵, exculpating law enforcement when they ☠️. Based on racist pseudoscience…” @votejgr.bsky.social @siffertforny.bsky.social

Excited Delirium is a racist, pseudoscientific “diagnosis” used to let cops get away with murder, so we wrote a bill to ban it; last yr, it died on the floor despite no Dem opposition. Lucky to have worked with @votejgr.bsky.social on this bill and this op-ed. Read at the link below! 👇️

My uncle installed the soundsystem in Madison Square Garden in the 80s. In exchange, he got his choice of season tickets to Knicks games. He picked 4th row, across from the visitors’ bench. [1/4]

This Pride, NYers have the opportunity to make history by electing the first openly non-binary legislator in state history. Let's make it happen! We're hosting a Pride Month Canvass Kick-Off featuring guest speakers and Pride-themed campaign swag. RSVP at the link below! 👇️

Did you know that our legislature actually *can* pass important bills in a timely manner? 🤯 In this episode of State Government 101: how a bill I co-authored passed in just 13 months, and why it’s so difficult for most legislation to make it through NY’s state legislature.

Happy Pride! I think a lot of us have gotten whiplash from watching Pride go from a subversive and anti-authoritarian position to rainbow logos on military contractors and back again.

Had a wonderful time gardening with the Morton Street Block Association!

The first target of Trump's authoritarian cruelty has been immigrants. I've spent years fighting for immigrants in New York and around the country. Here is what the state legislature can and must do to thwart Donald Trump's attempts to kidnap and torture our neighbors.

I’m excited to continue my series about Lower Manhattan’s living history with a chat with my good friend Johnny Dynell, a legend of the Downtown music and arts scene. Johnny has way more stories than can fit into a short video, but hopefully this gives you a fun taste.

AI is already impacting our society, and how the labor shocks are particularly acute.  Every day on this campaign, I talk about the role of unions in navigating the labor market into the AI era.  I’m glad @ippr.org agrees. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

I am honored to have received the 2026 Gun Sense Distinction from @momsdemandaction.org. New York gun safety laws are under repeated attack by an out-of-control Supreme Court, and I have spent years studying how to navigate federal hurdles to strengthen our gun laws.

Today I visited the protest outside of Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, NJ, and what I saw was jarring, even as someone who spent a week at ICE’s “baby jail” in Texas.

Gov. Hochul’s cynical tactic of using her budget leverage to strongarm her policy decisions through the budget has been, unfortunately, very effective. New York’s budget system needs serious reform.

Did you know New York State Legislators don't even have time to read budget bills before they pass them? On this episode of State Government 101, I explain how the Governor and legislature use "messages of necessity" to block public oversight of the budget.

Our democracy rests on independent institutions: independent prosecutors in the DOJ, independent agencies, and independent administrative judges (including immigration judges). Trump and the Supreme Court have systematically torn down every institutional barrier to autocracy.

It’s always so exciting to me to see young people interested in state and local government. It was such a pleasure to chat with NYU Petal, and seeing the time and energy they put into reviewing the candidates in this race is really inspirational.

I’m honored to have received a 100% rating from @ppgnyact.bsky.social. Planned Parenthood provides such critical healthcare, and I’m running to be their staunch ally in the legislature. (1/2)

We’re so back

Astor Place & Broadway without Cozy Soup 'n' Burger just doesn't make sense. Small businesses increasingly can't survive in Lower Manhattan, and our state legislature has been no help. 🆘

Excited to see you all at 5:30pm today! This is one of your best opportunities to stump me with a hard state government question - or ask me where I get my bowties!

🚨 We interrupt your long weekend to bring you important news: Primary Day is just 30 days out! 🚨 It’s crunch time for the campaign, and these next few weeks are the most critical when it comes to engaging with voters in the district.

ICYMI: this is tomorrow! ⬇️ I would love to see you there!

If you think that legislation prohibiting solely *formal* agreements between local police and ICE is adequate, you should watch the video in this article from @nysfocus.com. nysfocus.com/2026/05/07/o...

Until very recently, non-binary people weren’t eligible to run for some state offices in New York. My friend Émilia Decaudin and I wrote legislation that changed that – now I’m taking that same spirit of legislative creativity with me to Albany.

How many horses and humans have to get seriously hurt before they ban the medieval practice of carriage rides through Central Park? Honored to have the endorsement of NYCLASS, who have been on the forefront of advocating against this unnecessary cruelty. www.otdowntown.com/news/central...

Lights Out NY, NYCLASS, and @nylohv.bsky.social are three of New York's hardest working and most engaged animal welfare organizations. (1/2)

I got to sit down with @ghostrunnerblog.bsky.social to discuss a wide range of policy issues, the ins and outs of the lobbying process in Albany, and the NY-12 race. Here’s a choice cut of our conversation about AI companies and the RAISE act.

@jimowlesclub.bsky.social is one of New York City's most impactful and engaged progressive organizations, representing the LGBTQIA+ community. (1/2)

Some selections from a wonderful day of canvassing at Tribeca Greenmarket! ☀️🌸 Team Siffert is out at farmers' markets across the district every Sunday - join us this weekend through the link below! 👇️

I've been lucky enough to work with @theanimalvoters.bsky.social for years on the front lines of animal advocacy. Their leadership in animal welfare policy has been inspiring, and I'm excited to continue to partner with them!

Thanks to @maddow.bsky.social for covering last week's protest against ICE parking in NYC garages, organized by Chelsea Neighbors United, Hands Off NYC, 50501 NY, @riseandresist.bsky.social and @villagedems.bsky.social. 👇️

Did you know that New Yorkers have no way to call for a constitutional referendum? 🤔 In this episode of State Government 101, I explain one way New York is less democratic than other states and why we need a quicker way to amend the state constitution.

Half of all New Yorkers are rent burdened, tens of thousands are homeless, and many older adults who have accommodations are finding themselves unable to age in place. Albany can and must address these issues, lower rents, and make housing more affordable for everyone. Here’s how we can start. 👇

We're hosting a Campaign Happy Hour on Memorial Day! Join us next Monday, May 25, 5:30-7:30, at The Immigrant in the East Village – a hard-earned break from all the door-knocking.

The last major fundraising deadline for the campaign is tonight at midnight. The numbers from will help voters determine which campaigns are viable, and the funds help me get my name and platform out to voters during this critical final stretch. Please donate at the link below.

Surveillance pricing is discriminatory, unethical, and a privacy nightmare, and it takes money out of our pockets. The Senate recently advanced a bill banning it. The Assembly must do the same. news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...

I had a great time at last night's @jimowlesclub.bsky.social Spring Pride Gala! Thanks as always to Allen Roskoff for hosting a great event.

Not my district but this is the most I’ve ever felt targeted by a campaign promotion