Resource guide

Who Is Kristen Gonzalez? State Sen. in New York

New York State Senator and chair of the Senate Internet and Technology Committee.

Last updated October 10, 2026 468-word guide Editor Ban the Bots

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez serves in the New York State Senate, where she chairs the Internet and Technology Committee and represents neighborhoods including Astoria, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Stuyvesant Town, and Long Island City.

At Ban the Bots, we track lawmakers and leaders pushing back on how AI is built and used, examining legislative efforts to regulate artificial intelligence infrastructure and energy consumption.

Gonzalez previously launched a candidacy for New York's 17th Senate District before switching to the 59th Senate District following redistricting, ultimately winning her primary election in 2022.

Education and Electoral Career

Gonzalez attended the Dalton School on the Upper East Side and later attended Columbia University, where she majored in political science and ethnicity and race studies Wikipedia.

On February 2, 2022, Gonzalez announced her candidacy for New York's 17th Senate District, and she switched her candidacy to the 59th Senate District following redistricting Wikipedia. Nomiki Konst endorsed Gonzalez after withdrawing from the Senate race, and Gonzalez defeated Elizabeth Crowley by more than 25 percentage points in the primary election on August 24, 2022 Wikipedia.

Responsible Data Center Development Act and Statewide Tour

Gonzalez sponsored legislation known as the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which she stated passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan support cityandstateny.com. She stated that the bill includes a one-year moratorium and mandates environmental impact reports and community benefits cityandstateny.com.

Gonzalez led a statewide 'New York Fights AI Data Centers' tour in collaboration with Food & Water Watch and environmental justice organizers [cityandstateny.com](https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/10/kristen-gonzalez-and-fight-regulate-ai/416512/]. As part of the tour, she stopped in Buffalo across from the Tesla Plant aol.com. The tour was scheduled to conclude on August 30, with stops planned for Geneva, Lansing, and Albany aol.com.

During the tour, Gonzalez urged Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the bill, stating the objective was to secure the governor's signature before the existing data center moratorium lapsed aol.com. She stated she met with opponents of the act outside a cafe in Alabama, New York cityandstateny.com.

Affiliations and Policy Advocacy

Gonzalez is a member of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America and a member of the New York State Socialists in Office Wikipedia.

In policy hearings, Gonzalez testified at an artificial intelligence hearing held by the New York City Council's Committee of the Whole and took part in a data center roundtable in the Hudson Valley held by the governor and members of Congress cityandstateny.com. She has publicly expressed concern that the energy consumption of large data centers could raise costs for everyday consumers if not regulated aol.com.

Sources

More people pushing back on AI are mapped in our guide to who is fighting AI, and the unions, companies and governments drawing the line are tracked on Fighting Back.

Frequently asked questions

▸ Who is Kristen Gonzalez?

Kristen Gonzalez is a New York State Senator who serves as the chair of the New York State Senate's Internet and Technology Committee and represents neighborhoods including Astoria, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Stuyvesant Town, and Long Island City.

▸ What is the Responsible Data Center Development Act?

It is legislation sponsored by Gonzalez that she stated includes a one-year moratorium, mandates environmental impact reports and community benefits, and passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan support.

▸ What was the 'New York Fights AI Data Centers' tour?

It was a statewide tour led by Gonzalez in collaboration with Food & Water Watch and environmental justice organizers, including stops in Buffalo across from the Tesla Plant, Geneva, Lansing, and Albany.

▸ What political organizations does Gonzalez belong to?

Gonzalez is a member of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America and the New York State Socialists in Office.

▸ Where did Gonzalez attend school and university?

Gonzalez attended the Dalton School on the Upper East Side and Columbia University, where she majored in political science and ethnicity and race studies.