Danielle Welch D

Danielle Welch

Democratic

BACKGROUND:

• Danielle Welch, 35, of Bayside, Queens is a public defender. She graduated from New York University Law School in 2015.
• Welch grew up in Hampton Roads, Virginia, but left the area to attend the University of Pittsburgh with a full-tuition scholarship. She graduated in 2012 with her Bachelor of Arts in political science and communication.
• Welch has worked for the Legal Aid Society of Queens since 2015, and also has served as a vice president for the union representing the borough’s public defenders.

ISSUES:

• Welch said she was compelled to run after incumbent Rep. Tom Suozzi voted in favor of a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security in January. Suozzi later said he “failed” by casting the yes vote. Welch said she supports abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and ensuring the right to counsel in immigration proceedings.
• She said she would tackle affordability issues by supporting universal, single-payer healthcare, taxing billionaires and expanding and protecting Social Security benefits.
• Welch said Congress needs to enact robust anticorruption protections, saying she believes there needs to be accountability for those who abuse their power.