Brian Romero, a candidate for the New York State Assembly and a self-described socialist, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay his rent and personal bills after resigning from his position as a legislative aide. Romero is running unopposed in the 34th District, which includes parts of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in Queens, and is expected to win in the November elections.
Romero stated he left his role as a senior advisor to State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez in March due to state ethics guidelines applicable during his campaign. His resignation left him without employment, prompting him to seek public donations. The GoFundMe, titled "Help Brian Cover Rent After State Assembly Run," aimed to raise $2,000, with Romero explaining that he had saved for months but had depleted his savings while closing out consulting gigs.
<![CDATA[IMAGE1]]>He indicated on the fundraising page that the money would be used to cover rent and groceries. Romero had previously worked as a legislative aide, earning $106,469 annually last year, and lives in a $2,600 per month apartment. He also noted on his LinkedIn profile that he was "Open to Work."
Romero faced criticism for publicly soliciting funds while awaiting election to a legislative body that will manage state finances. A GoFundMe page showed he had raised $1,095 from 13 donations by Friday morning. Some contributions were anonymous.
<![CDATA[IMAGE2]]>Romero later closed the GoFundMe campaign and stated he did not keep any of the money, calling the initiative a "mistake" made in consultation with friends. He mentioned trying to navigate a "broken" unemployment insurance system, which he said fuels his passion for addressing such issues. He also said friends had offered to help cover his expenses directly.
Once sworn into office, Romero would be eligible for an annual salary of $142,000, plus a daily per diem when the Assembly is in session. Romero has lived in public housing for approximately 15 years before moving to a private apartment building.