Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
38.5%
33.5%
NY-13 Democratic nominee?
$718.2K
JUN 30, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePublic servant
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationNew York
BackgroundPublic servant
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EducationM.A., International Affairs, The New School
Notable personal detailsOscar J. Romero Jr. is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in New York’s 13th Congressional District. He has worked in New York City government and has served as Chief Information Officer of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission, focusing on civic technology and participatory democracy initiatives. He has also been a Visiting Practitioner Fellow and lecturer at Cornell Tech and has worked with the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation and The New School’s Digital Equity Laboratory.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govoscarforcongress.comnyc.govvote.nyclinkedin.comoscarromero.netdocquery.fec.govthecandidate.comsmcacre.govamericanelectionhq.comonyourballot.vote411.orgcongress.govdarializaforcongress.comen.wikipedia.orglegalclarity.orgarxiv.orgdrgalen.orgsimplify.jobsdblp.orguurmapa.orgindiaforums.comfoxnews.comcbsnews.comsomosprimos.comimdb.comnotebook.communityoscarforaz.comlastampa.itiwmf.orgaljazeera.comlocalcandidates.orgcityandstateny.comcolumbiaspectator.comnbcnewyork.comthecityreporter.nycsussexexpress.co.ukpredictionedge.comthreeparksdems.orgnews.ballotpedia.orgfacebook.cominstagram.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orghistory.house.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports higher taxes on the wealthy and opposes tax breaks for billionaires; calls for public healthcare, expanded funding for housing and education, cancellation of student debt, and other government investments to expand social programs. Advocacy centers on taxing the rich to fund expanded public services and hold corporations accountable.
Healthcare
Supports treating healthcare as a right and calls to expand Medicaid to provide universal coverage, while ending abuses by insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
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Immigration & Border
Supports abolishing ICE and calls for an immigration system that treats people with dignity, protecting due process for asylum seekers and opposing the use of immigration enforcement to terrorize communities. Opposes Republican and Trump-era immigration enforcement practices described as racially profiling and revoking visas of people who followed procedures.
Climate & Energy
The candidate states climate change is an existential threat and pledges to work to fight climate change and protect communities, but provides only general commitments on the campaign site without specific legislation, targets, or detailed energy policy. Public materials emphasize local sustainability initiatives (e.g., zero-waste challenges) and urban resilience concerns like flooding, but do not articulate aggressive emissions targets or a clear fossil-fuel phase-out plan.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports expanding background checks, strengthening gun control laws, and holding gun dealers and manufacturers accountable. He also advocates funding community-led public safety programs and rapid-response social and mental-health teams rather than relying solely on policing.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Oscar Romero is in the news because he is a Democratic candidate in New York’s 13th Congressional District and is challenging Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 2026 primary. His campaign has also drawn scrutiny over an early-voting giveaway tied to an ice cream token, with questions about possible election-law issues. More broadly, he is part of a wave of Democratic nominees trying to unify ahead of the 2026 House elections.
fec.gov+44
Articles
NYNew York Post29 days ago
Hakeem Jeffries slammed for embracing Mamdani-backed candidates 'with open arms' after Dem primary sweep
Positive
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
Democratic socialist candidate's giveaway raises election law concerns
Negative
TNThe New York Times2 months ago
What to Watch For in the NY Primary: Key Races and Why They Matter
Neutral
Polls
NY-13 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
NY-13 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Oscar Romero for NY-13 Democratic nominee?
Stefaan G. Verhulst, PhD
Public endorsement
Stefaan G. Verhulst, PhD endorsed Oscar Romero for NY-13.
Three Parks Independent Democrats
Public figure
Three Parks Independent Democrats endorsed Oscar Romero for NY-13.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$20.4K
$15.3K
$10.2K
$5.1K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$20.4K
$708.73
$19.7K
$1.1K
Source: FEC