Rafael Espinal

Rafael L. Espinal Jr. (born June 30, 1984) is an American politician and non-profit executive. A Democrat, he began his political career in the New York State Assembly, representing New York's 54th State Assembly district in Brooklyn from 2011 to 2013. He later served on the New York City Council from 2014 to 2020, representing the 37th district, which includes portions of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Cypress Hills, and East New York in Brooklyn.

On January 26, 2020, he resigned from the City Council to become President and Executive Director of the Freelancers Union, a national organization advocating for independent workers.

Early life and education

Espinal has lived in Brooklyn all his life, while his parents are from the Dominican Republic. He was born in 1984, and is the third of six children. He was raised in Cypress Hills, attending and graduating from New York City public schools, P.S. 108, I.S. 302, and Franklin K. Lane High School. Espinal attended Queens College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English.

In 2017 - 2018, Espinal was selected for a MIT CoLab Fellowship. A two year program within the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning focused on prospective models for community-driven economic development tied to shared wealth and ownership.

Career

Espinal first worked as an adult literacy teacher.
Espinal entered public service as an aide to City Councilmember Erik Martin Dilan, ultimately serving as his chief of staff.

In the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries, he was the only New York City Councilmember to endorse Bernie Sanders. He endorsed him again for the 2020 primaries, the first City Councilmember to do so.

In 2017, Espinal was named one of ''Time Out New York'''s "New Yorkers of the Year", largely in recognition of his advocacy in repealing the New York City Cabaret Law, enforcement of which disproportionately targeted LGBTQ and ethnic minority venues and creating the city's Office of Nightlife, dedicated to supporting DIY art spaces, music venues, bars and restaurants.

In 2019, Espinal ran in the special election for New York City Public Advocate, following Letitia James's victory in her race for New York State Attorney General. He came in 7th place in a crowded field of 17 candidates, won by fellow Brooklyn City Councilmember Jumaane Williams. The New York Times endorsed Jumaane Williams, but noted on Espinal's career as a City Council Member, "In a 51-member body, Mr. Espinal has been a standout."

Espinal, facing term limits to another term in the City Council, announced plans to run for Brooklyn Borough President in the 2021 election, as Eric Adams, then Brooklyn Borough President, faced term limits. Espinal dropped out of the race in January 2020, and subsequently resigned from the Council entirely.

New York State Assembly

In his first campaign, Espinal won the open 54th district seat in the New York State Assembly in a special election held on September 13, 2011. The seat was left vacant after Darryl Towns resigned from the post in order to take a position with Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration. The assembly district represents parts of Bushwick, East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Cypress Hills, and Cityline in Brooklyn.

Espinal had endorsements from the Brooklyn Democratic Party, the Republican Party and the Conservative Party of New York State. In a tight race, Espinal (46%) defeated Jesus Gonzalez (35%) running on the Working Families Party line and Deidra Towns (19%) running on her party platform, "Community First".

In 2012, Espinal was named one of City & State's "New York City Rising Stars: 40 Under 40" for his work as New York State Assemblyman.

New York City Council

In 2013, Espinal opted to leave the state Assembly to run for the New York City Council to succeed Erik Martin Dilan, and won the primary and general to take the seat in 2014.

In 2014 Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an affordable housing plan that would create over 3,000 units of affordable housing in the Cypress Hills, East New York, and Ocean Hill portions of his district. Espinal used the opportunity to advocate for funding to address all of the social and infrastructure issues his community had experienced for decades. While facing opposition from a citywide advocacy group, Espinal was able to secure what some have called the most comprehensive rezoning plan in the City of New York, over a quarter of a billion dollars to address unemployment, crumbling infrastructure, and affordable housing issues. ''The New York Times'' endorsed Espinal's move and stated that "Espinal did right by his constituents."

In 2017 Espinal introduced and passed a bill calling for the full repeal of the New York City Cabaret Law, a regulation introduced in 1926 and often called racist, homophobic and authoritarian by its opponents. He soon after passed legislation creating the nation's first Office of Nightlife, a city agency dedicated to supporting the city's nightlife economy.

In 2019 Espinal passed legislation requiring all New York City buildings to install solar panels or green roofs as part of New York City's "Green New Deal" to decrease carbon emissions and build green infrastructure. Espinal also lead on many green initiatives like banning singles use plastics, securing funding for New York City's first electric school buses and passing the city's first Urban Agriculture policy, creating a comprehensive Urban Ag plan, website and Office.

On January 26, 2020, he resigned from the City Council to become the Executive Director and President of Freelancers Union.

Freelancers Union

In January 2020, Rafael Espinal was appointed Executive Director of th
Freelancers Union
a national nonprofit organization advocating for the rights and protections of independent workers. He became the third individual to lead the organization since its founding in 1995.

Under Espinal's leadership, the union expanded its legislative and support initiatives:

* Expansion of the Freelance Isn’t Free Act: Espinal helped expand the Freelance Isn’t Free Act beyond New York City. Originally enacted in NYC in 2017, the law, which creates non-payment protections, and mandates a minimum net pay of 30 days for independent workers, was later adopted in other jurisdictions, including New York State, Illinois, and California, providing freelancers with protections against nonpayment and ensuring the right to timely compensation.

* Freelancers Relief Fund: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Espinal oversaw the launch of the Freelancers Relief Fund, which provided emergency cash assistance to freelancers facing income loss.

* Advocacy for portable benefits: Espinal has been a national advocate for the creation of portable benefits systems for independent workers. He has called for policy reforms that decouple benefits like health care and retirement from traditional employment relationships.

Election history

References

External links

Espinal - New York City Council (official site)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Espinal, Rafael
Living people
American politicians of Dominican Republic descent
Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly
New York City Council members
Hispanic and Latino American New York City Council members
Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in New York (state)
Politicians from Brooklyn
People from East New York, Brooklyn
1984 births
21st-century members of the New York State Legislature