All candidates for New York State Senate District 17 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey


Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for New York State Senate District 17 — Iwen Chu (D) and Vito LaBella (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

Eighty-eight of the country’s 99 state legislative chambers will hold regularly scheduled elections in 2022. The Democratic Party controls both chambers of New York’s state legislature. New York is one of 14 states with a Democratic trifecta government.

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Chu:       

“Public safety for all communities is one of my top priorities. I’ve spent many years as a 68th Precinct community partner, working to strengthen ties between NYPD and community. We must tackle public safety for everyone including stopping the flow of illegal guns into our city and advocate for change on the Federal level.”

LaBella:                   

“As State Senator, I want to focus on Law & Order, Education Integrity, Tax Reform, Helping Small Business and Improving New York’s Future. I will work to end cashless bail, reverse the Less Is More Act, push to fund drug treatment and mental health resources and enforce Kendra’s Law.”

Click on candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

Additional reading:

New York State Senate elections, 2022