Currently serving his 6th term, New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. was first elected to the 10th Senatorial District on September 13, 2012. A Marine veteran, public servant, and lifelong advocate for economic and social justice, Senator Sanders has dedicated his career to uplifting working-class families, expanding educational and business opportunities, and ensuring economic equity throughout New York.
A proud son of Southeast Queens, Senator Sanders was born and raised in Hammel Houses, a public housing development in the Rockaways. He is a graduate of Far Rockaway High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a specialization in African-American studies from Brooklyn College in 1984. His early political experience working for Congressman Floyd H. Flake inspired a lifelong passion for public service and community empowerment.
Before joining the Senate, Senator Sanders served as President of Queens School Board District 27 and was the first African-American elected to lead the board. In 2001, he was elected to the New York City Council (District 31), where he became the first African-American to chair the Economic Development Committee, championing MWBE expansion and landmark policies against predatory lending.
Since being elected to the Senate, Sanders has risen to lead the Senate Committee on Banks and the Senate Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). In addition, he serves as Vice President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), advocating for economic justice and policy reforms that improve the lives of African Americans nationwide.
Senator Sanders currently represents Breezy Point, Jacob Riis Park, Roxbury, Neponsit, Belle Harbor, Rockaway Park, Rockaway Beach, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Arverne, Far Rockaway, Wave Crest, Edgemere, Bays Water, Rosedale, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, and Rochdale.
In addition to being the Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Banks, Senator Sanders is a member of the Committees for Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business; Insurance, Labor, Procurement and Contracts; Racing, Gaming and Wagering; and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.
Sponsoring monumental legislation and protecting New Yorkers has been at the forefront of Sanders’ endeavors toward a more equitable and just world. An example of this is displayed through the 2022 NY Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) which works to safeguard homeowners from abusive or unlawful litigation tactics concerning foreclosures. The act holds banks accountable and ensures that homeowners are guaranteed a level playing field that protects them from abuse and manipulation at the hands of lenders. Another such example is highlighted through Carlos’ Law (2022) which increases the penalties for criminal corporate liability for the death or injury of an employee up to $500,000. This ensures that corporations adhere to proper safety protocols and has the power to save lives across the state that otherwise would have been lost due to corporations neglecting their responsibility to protect their employees from harm.
Additionally, Senator Sanders has prioritized an array of topics hindering Southeast Queens and much of the state including climate change, inadequate wages, lack of access to housing and education, workers' protections, the legal cannabis industry, predatory banking practices, and several others.
Furthermore, Senator Sanders has fought hard for transit equity, as emphasized by his recent victory after a 16-year battle to bring City-Ticket to the Rockaways, a program that excluded Rockaway residents from accessing discounted Long Island Railroad (LIRR) tickets during off-peak hours. This victory cut the cost of a LIRR ticket from the Rockaways to Manhattan by almost 50%, placing well-earned money back into the pockets of constituents in the Senator’s district. Despite this heavily anticipated achievement, Senator Sanders continues to push for transit equity across Southeast Queens, which has been widely regarded as a transportation desert.
Senator Sanders is a national leader in the fight for reparations, spearheading the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, a historic bill signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul on December 19, 2023. This groundbreaking legislation establishes a commission to research the lasting harm caused by slavery and racial discrimination in New York and to recommend reparative measures. Senator Sanders, serving as Chair of the NY State Senate Select Majority Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, co-sponsored the legislation alongside Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. This bill positions New York as the second state in the nation, following California, to formally study reparations, marking a historic step toward justice and economic restitution for Black communities.
Beyond legislative work, Senator Sanders is deeply committed to celebrating and uniting diverse communities through cultural initiatives. Each year, he hosts the annual Queens Caribbean Carnival in the Rockaways, an event that celebrates the vibrant culture, music, and heritage of the Caribbean and West Indian communities. The carnival brings together thousands of residents and visitors in a joyous celebration of cultural pride. He also hosts the annual Taste of Africa event, which fosters connections between African Americans and the African diaspora through food, music, and storytelling, highlighting the shared history and traditions that unite these communities.
Above all else, Senator Sanders places his constituents at #1 on his list of priorities. Through each community-based event, constituent services offered at each office, Listening Tours, Mobile Office opportunities, and social media engagement, Sanders is devoted to fulfilling the needs of District 10. Southeast Queens is truly defined by the unique lived experiences of each individual resident, and Senator Sanders is profoundly committed to this fact.
Senator James Sanders Jr. acknowledges that the journey forward is never easy, but he is willing to take the difficult path if it means that his constituents in Southeast Queens will be afforded the protections and access to resources that they deserve.