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Assembly member Karina Reyes outlines record, priorities and reelection case in Bronx Talk interview
Summary
In a Bronx Talk interview, Assembly member Karina Reyes discussed her path from nurse to lawmaker, warned that upcoming Medicaid work requirements could cost Bronx residents coverage, touted ADA subway upgrades secured for Parkchester and described recent state funding wins for Mitchell-Lama housing.
Assembly member Karina Reyes, the incumbent in the 87th Assembly District, told Bronx Talk listeners she ran for office as a nurse and Bronx resident and has spent her term pushing for health care access, transportation upgrades and housing support.
"I was just a nurse, a mom, Bronx resident who was struggling to make ends meet," Reyes said, describing how union advocacy on single-payer health care and worker conditions led her into politics. She said she surprised herself by enjoying the legislative work and credited her team and persistence for passing measures she did not expect to win.
Reyes used the interview to highlight several policy priorities. She warned that a federal rule taking effect Jan. 1, 2027, that will require some Medicaid recipients to document work, school or training participation could lead to coverage losses unless the state prepares staffing and navigation supports. She also described securing ADA improvements at Parkchester station after conditioning support for congestion pricing on a capital-plan commitment, and said the state budget included money for Mitchell-Lama developments in her district.
Reyes framed her candidacy around representing residents’ everyday needs in Albany. "I carry the experiences of all of my constituents with me every day when I go to Albany," she said, and asked voters to reelect her in the June 23 primary. The host closed by reminding listeners that early voting runs through June 21 and directing them to vote.nyc for details.
The interview was conversational and ran through Reyes’s personal background, policy concerns about health-care program administration, public-transportation accessibility and housing oversight. No formal votes or motions were recorded on the program.
