Brian Romero, the Democratic nominee for New York's 34th Assembly District, briefly created a GoFundMe seeking $2,000 to cover rent and groceries while he awaited taking office and removed it after media inquiries. The page raised just over $1,000 from 13 donors before being taken down. Critics noted the optics of the appeal because the Assembly salary for incoming members is $142,000 annually. Romero said he made a mistake, did not keep the donations, and received offers of private help from friends.
Democratic Socialist Poised For $142K Assembly Salary Removes GoFundMe Rent Appeal After Backlash
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Brian Romero, the Democratic nominee for New York's 34th Assembly District, briefly posted a GoFundMe asking for $2,000 to cover rent and groceries while he awaited taking office, then removed the page after media inquiries and public criticism.
What Happened
Romero's fundraiser, which sought $2,000 to help with living expenses during the transition into elected office, raised just over $1,000 from 13 donors before he took it down. The page was removed after the New York Post questioned the appeal.
Voters cast their ballot at a polling station in the Queens borough of New York, US, on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
“As many of you know, I had to leave my full time job in the legislature when I got on the ballot for our Assembly race,” Romero wrote on the now-deleted page, according to news reports. “I'm excited that we won and I saved for months to get by but I've now depleted my savings as I'm close to closing down some consulting gigs.”
Reaction And Context
The request drew criticism because Romero is the presumptive winner in a heavily Democratic Queens district and would earn the New York State Assembly's $142,000 annual base salary once sworn in, plus per diems while the Legislature is in session. Ethics-watchers and political commentators said it is unusual for a lawmaker-elect to solicit personal donations while awaiting office.
Background And Financial Details
Romero said he left a senior adviser role to State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez earlier this year after receiving ethics guidance when he became a candidate. State payroll records cited by the Post show he earned $106,469 last year as a legislative aide. Reporters also noted he shares a Jackson Heights apartment with his partner that rents for about $2,600 a month.
People walk towards a polling site during early voting in the New York City mayoral election in Manhattan in New York City, Oct. 27, 2025.
Romero's Response
Romero told the Post he removed the fundraiser after consulting friends and called creating the page “a mistake.” He said he did not keep the donations that had been made and that friends have offered direct assistance while he searches for consulting work. He also said he had been unable to collect unemployment benefits during the transition.
Observers say the episode highlights tensions around lawmakers' personal finances during campaign-to-office transitions and the optics of soliciting donations when a public salary is imminent. Romero did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
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