Julia Salazar is a Democratic and Working Families Party member representing New York's 18th Senate District in Brooklyn. Born in 1990 in Miami, Florida, she is a Colombian-American who rose from community organizing to become a prominent progressive figure, noted as the youngest woman elected to the New York State Senate in 2018 following a historic upset victory as the first Democratic Socialist in the state legislature.

She previously worked as a community organizer with Jews for Racial & Economic Justice , advocating for tenant rights, criminal justice reform, and racial and economic justice. Salazar shifted from pro-Israel advocacy to anti-Zionist activism, including involvement with IfNotNow protests and editing for a Jewish Voice for Peace-linked blog. She currently chairs the Senate Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, and the Democratic Steering Committee, helping thousands of constituents.

Education and Political Experience

Salazar attended Columbia University as an undergraduate. Her political journey includes her 2018 election to the 18th District, where she has won with overwhelming margins, prioritizing progressive causes like ending Albany's status quo, supporting BDS activism, and tenant protections.