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Senator James Sanders Jr. represents New York’s 10th District, which includes Southeast Queens and Rockaway Beach. A lifelong public servant, Sanders is a Marine Corps veteran and former New York City Council Member. He has been a leading voice on issues like economic development, labor rights, and social justice, with a strong focus on empowering underrepresented communities. Sanders is also spearheading the movement for New York State reparations, leading a task force to examine the impact of slavery on Black New Yorkers and pushing for legislation to address historical injustices. Before his time as an elected official, Senator James Sanders Jr. served Queens School Board District 27 for 10 years, including 7 years as its first African-American President. His leadership on the school board led to his election to the New York City Council in 2001, where he became the first African-American unanimously voted as Chair of the Economic Development Committee. In this role, he advanced affirmative action policies and expanded opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses, benefiting both his district and the entire state of New York. He remains committed to securing funding for critical services and advocating for equitable access to resources in his district.