Amanda Septimo
Amanda Septimo is the Democratic and Working Families Party nominee for re-election in NY Assembly District 84, a South Bronx seat she has held since January 2021. A lifelong Bronx resident, she serves on the Ways and Means, Education, Banks, Agriculture, Environmental Conservation and Veterans' Affairs committees.[2][3]
Floor votes in Albany
- YesProvides that a microbusiness licensee authorized to conduct retail sales may serve as a processor and cultivator for purposes of cannabis showcase event permits · S10113 · Passed Assembly 88–53 · 2026-06-05 official record ↗Provides that a microbusiness licensee authorized to conduct retail sales may serve as a processor and cultivator for purposes of cannabis showcase event permits.
- Didn't voteRelates to granting employees access to personnel records · S3460 · Passed Assembly 92–49 · 2026-05-19 official record ↗Grants employees access to personnel records; requires notice of negative information in such records and an opportunity for a review; permits employee to include certain information in personnel records.
- Didn't voteConcealed Carry Improvement Act · S51001 · Passed 90–52 · 2022-07-01 official record ↗Enacted after the Bruen decision: added training and character requirements for carry permits and barred guns in designated sensitive places.
- Yes2021–22 budget revenue bill · S2509 · Passed 88–61 · 2021-04-07 official record ↗Raised personal income tax rates on incomes above $1 million and raised the corporate franchise tax rate on large businesses, among other revenue measures.
Votes on landmark laws since 2019, plus 2026 roll calls where at least five members voted on the losing side — read from the legislature’s official records.
On the record — official actions
- action2024-10-09 · Along with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and healthcare leaders, secured $6 million allocated for a new opioid treatment facility at Lincoln Hospital.[7]
- action2025-10-18 · Secured $6 million to combat the fentanyl crisis in the district, according to PIX11 coverage.[5]
- bill2025-11-18 · Introduced the New York State Food Rescue Tax Credit and secured $100,000 in state funding for a Catholic Charities/Sharing Excess food-rescue partnership, according to News 12 Bronx coverage.[8]
- action2024-09-24 · Donated $50,000 to the Brides' March, an annual march against domestic violence.[10]
- action2026-04-15 · Publicly opposed cuts to the Essential Plan and joined calls for Governor Hochul to raise taxes on high earners to offset the loss of coverage, per Bronx Times coverage.[9]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsStronger rent regulation and tenant protections
Lists tenant protections among her priorities for making New York more affordable for working families.[4]
- SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes
Voted yes on S2509 (2021–22 budget revenue bill, 2021-04-07): Raised personal income tax rates on incomes above $1 million and raised the corporate franchise tax rate on large businesses, among other revenue measures.[12]
What they say: As Essential Plan health-coverage cuts approached, said the State Senate and Assembly are prepared to raise taxes on the ultra-wealthy to offset the losses, at an April 2026 rally covered by the Bronx Times.[9]
“The governor has to choose whether she will use her power to finally stand up for communities like ours. Or whether she will use her power to continue to support the interests that have built this New York for themselves. The interests of rich donors.”
- SupportsExpand public health coverage
Describes herself as a strong advocate for affordable healthcare and community health resources, and has spoken out against proposed cuts to health-coverage programs including the Essential Plan.[4][9]
- SupportsStricter gun laws
Her campaign cites a 667-day stretch without gun violence at a NYCHA development in her district as part of her public-safety record, framed around violence-prevention investment.[5]
In their words — priorities
- Fighting for affordable communities: tenant protections, economic opportunity and investments that help families stay in the neighborhoods they built.[4]
- Expanding healthcare access and opposing cuts to programs working families depend on.[4]
- Supporting safer neighborhoods through investments in violence prevention, mental health services and youth programs.[4]
- Investing in schools and young people, including better-funded schools, youth programs and childcare access.[4]
Background
- A lifelong Bronx resident who began organizing in the South Bronx around social, economic and environmental issues as a teenager, working with The Point Community Development Corporation's youth activism program.[3]
- Received the Posse Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where she interned with the Legal Aid Society on domestic-violence cases and with Metro Public Defenders.[3]
- Worked for U.S. Rep. José E. Serrano as a community liaison and later as district director, and later worked with the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA).[3]
- Has served with the New York City Parks Department and the International YMCA.[2]
- First elected to the Assembly in 2020 after an earlier unsuccessful run for the seat; assumed office January 1, 2021.[2][3]
- Also sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in New York's 15th Congressional District in 2026 but did not appear on the June 23 primary ballot, and ran instead for re-election to her Assembly seat.[2]