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Joseph Hernandez

INDEPDENDENT

Joseph Hernandez is running for New York City Mayor.

Personal background

Joseph Hernandez was born in Camagüey, Cuba, and raised in Florida. He has a bachelor's degree in neuroscience, a master's degree in genetics and microbiology, and a master's degree in finance from the University of Florida. He also has a master's degree in chronic disease epidemiology and biostatistics from Yale University. Joseph has three children.

Professional background

Joseph is a biotech entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and managing partner of Blue Water Venture Partners. He previously worked at Merck, where he focused on pharmaceutical research and development.

Political background

Joseph's campaign for New York City Mayor is his first time running for public office.

Economy

Supports keeping real estate taxes stable, diversifying the economy, and expanding sectors like technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.

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Public Services

Plans to use artificial intelligence and real-time data to improve public safety, sanitation, traffic flow, and city services in every neighborhood.

Supports using sensors to trigger rapid cleanup of overflowing bins, illegal dumping, and graffiti.

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Education

Plans to implement artificial intelligence in schools.

Believes in reforming the Department of Education budget to raise teacher pay and redirect resources into classrooms.

Supports expanding charter schools and education vouchers, which allow qualifying students to use public money for private education.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports using early-warning sensors for potholes, lighting, and structural issues to reduce emergency repair costs.

Supports providing free or reduced-cost MTA fares for eligible low-income residents.

Supports implementing smart city technologies such as adaptive traffic lights, waste sensors, and AI-integrated 311 systems.

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Public Safety

Plans to hire 10,000 new NYPD officers, strengthen community policing, and improve emergency response with smarter technology.

Plans to deploy AI firearm detection in high-risk areas and build an emergency alert network to notify citizens of active threats.

Plans to partner with federal agencies to dismantle organized crime networks, stop gun trafficking, and root out political corruption.

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Housing & Urban Development

Plans to add 132,000 housing units in 24 months by unlocking vacant rent-stabilized apartments, converting unused office space, and fast-tracking new construction to raise NYC’s vacancy rate to 7% and lower rents.

Supports converting empty commercial properties into permanent, affordable housing to revitalize neighborhoods and reduce homelessness.

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Public Health

Plans to build 5,000 transitional mental health units aboard a docked cruise ship in Harlem, offering treatment, job training, and a pipeline to permanent housing.

Proposes housing unsheltered individuals with severe mental illness and addiction on a cruise ship staffed with medical professionals to provide on-site treatment and support long-term reintegration through therapy, job training, and life-skills programs.

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Ethics & Conduct

As of September 15, 2025, Joseph Hernandez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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