This election cycle, fresh off Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the mayoral race, the New York City chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is running its largest-ever slate of legislative insurgents. But DSA chapters in other parts of the state are hoping to help build the socialist bloc in the New York State Legislature.Adam Bojak is an attorney and Buffalo DSA member running for state assembly in the 149th District in Western New York — an area once partially represented by Gov. Kathy Hochul in Congress. In addition to being endorsed by Buffalo DSA, New York City DSA, and national DSA, Bojak’s campaign has garnered support from several labor unions and progressive and tenant advocacy groups.Bojak previously ran for the seat in 2020 and lost. The seat is once again open, and the political environment has changed. Driven by a cost-of-living crisis, chaos caused by Donald Trump’s authoritarian immigration enforcement, and an ascendant DSA presence in the state, Bojak believes that voters are eager for something new. Jacobin recently sat down with Bojak to discuss what electing a democratic socialist in Kathy Hochul’s backyard would mean for Western New York and for the movement.Roman BroszkowskiCan you tell us a bit about who you were before you decided to run for office?Adam BojakI am an attorney here in Western New York. I’m on the assigned council program here in Erie County for family court; we’re the family court equivalent of a public defender. Through that job, I see poverty all day, every day.In my spare time, for about ten years, I’ve been trying to provide legal services and advice to tenants and even some homeowners who are facing housing issues, on a completely pro bono basis. I’m trying to step in and help them avoid court. Because once you end up in housing court, it’s probably already too late.My wife and I live on the West Side of Buffalo. We’ve got two kids, two and four years old. We’re getting crushed by the…
