Jason A. Richberg
Suffolk County Legislator, 15th District
Party: Democratic, Working Families
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
When in office, what will you do to reduce harm and ensure there is social and economic equity for Black Long Islanders? If you are an incumbent, what policies/initiatives/laws have you supported that do this?
Since being elected in 2020, I have introduced legislation aiming to prevent discrimination based on certain visible characteristics, including cultural hairstyles and religious garments. I formed the county's first Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force to study the effects in communities of color and hear to voices of women who are not being heard. I've worked to provide job access to our youth by making sure vocational training, scholarships and job fairs are equally available in all of the communities I represent. I've fought for police reform, serving on the county's Police Reform Task Force and sponsoring legislation requiring all public facing officer to wear body cameras, as well as legislation aimed at transparency, making sure the county's Human Rights commission is involved in the Internal Affairs process.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your campaign?
I am a husband, father, former Sunday School teacher, former church board president, mentor, and community advocate. I am a third-generation African American who is a graduate of an HBCU. I am the President of the Nassau-Suffolk Alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., I am also the President of the Witness Project of Long Island, a Black religious-based breast cancer organization that works to have a meaningful conversation about health and cancer everywhere we can.
I am running to continue the work of advocating for our communities and creating opportunities for those who need the most help. My core values are to serve, and uplift those around me and to leave this world a little better than I found it, and my vision is to be better every day, and when I'm not, to get up and start again.