Mondaire Jones offers an ambitious progressive legislative agenda and a resume of accomplishments as part of his plans to win a congressional seat representing Rockland and ousting longtime Rep. Nita Lowey in 2020.

Jones, 32, an East Ramapo school district graduate from Spring Valley who worked for President Obama's Justice Department and the Westchester County Law Department, describes himself as a progressive Democrat, according to his campaign website. He filed for Congress on July 5.

MONDAIRE JONES: Why I am running for Congress

NITA LOWEY: About her and her accomplishments

He said that while he respects Lowey's accomplishment over three decades in Congress, a more active voice is needed representing Rockland and parts of northern Westchester County.

He said too many residents of the 17th Congressional District are struggling.

"Residents of both counties pay the highest property taxes in the nation, yet wages have remained stagnant for decades and Donald Trump’s cap on the State and Local Tax deduction added to our burdens," he said in a news release. "Crippled by student debt and low earnings, young adults live with their parents because they cannot afford to pay rent or buy a home. Healthcare costs continue to rise as insurance companies place profits over people."

He said he would champion cancellation of student debt, Medicare for all, a $15 minimum wage, universal child care, and a Green New Deal, pressed by Congress members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens.

NITA LOWEY: U.S. Rep. on 2020 presidential picks, Chelsea Clinton and Trump

Jones also was critical of Lowey, who chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

He disparaged her support of spending $1.4 billion for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which enforces immigration laws. He said Lowey voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which he said legalized discrimination against LGBTQ Americans, and President Bill Clinton's crime bill that he said accelerated mass incarceration and ravaged low-income communities and communities of color. He also cited her votes to what he called gut welfare, support the Iraq war and oppose the Iran nuclear deal.

Spokesperson Katelynn Thorpe said Lowey doesn't comment on other candidates, but said the congresswoman "is honored that the voters have entrusted her to represent them in Congress and would never take an election for granted."

Lowey, 82, first won election in 1988 and her website chronicles her accomplishments over the decades.

Her website calls her a strong advocate for women, children, and families, a champion of education, fighting for school modernization, teacher development, and literacy programs. Under Lowey’s leadership, federal funding for after-school programs has increased from $1 million in 1996 to $1 billion.

She's brought funding into New York, such as $68 million to develop local bio-terrorism response plans and provide first-responders with interoperable communication devices, rescue equipment and protective gear.

Jones and other critics in Rockland have accused her of steering away from the problems of public school children attending East Ramapo, which is controlled by the Orthodox Jewish board members and with its divide between public and private school families.

Jones said he wants young people to have the opportunities to follow his path. A child of a single mother, his resume includes a degrees from Stanford University and Harvard University Law School.

"My family and I fought against the odds every day," he said, "and I will fight for the people of the 17th Congressional District like I have been fighting my whole life."

Jones got support from several progressives.

“People in Rockland know that Mondaire has been a leader in the fight for public school students in the East Ramapo Central School District,” said Steven White, founder of Power of Ten, which advocates for the public school students.

Dr. Ivanya Alpert, a Piermont village trustee, praised Jones as an advocated for a progressive agenda to solve issues important to people.

"We need progressive champions like Mondaire Jones, who will take on climate change, embrace the Green New Deal, and treat global warming like the existential threat that it is," she said.

Tasha Young, a founder of the Westchester Black Political Conference, said, that "for far too long, many people have not felt connected to their representative in Washington. Many don't even know who she is. This shouldn't be."

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