A newly elected state assemblywoman for the Bronx says her win is exciting, but she knows her role comes with some big responsibilities.

Karines Reyes was among the Democrats who swept into office in the midterm elections earlier this month.

"People ask me if I feel different and I don't. I get up every morning and I do everything the same as I used to, take my kids to school, make them breakfast," she says.

Reyes came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic when she was 6 years old.

"When I first moved to this country and I didn't speak the language and I couldn't understand this culture, I would never have thought that I'd be an elected official," she says.

Health care is among her top priorities in office.

"Everybody deserves health care," says Reyes. "I believe it's a human right, it's not a privilege, and that people should be treated with dignity and respect when they're sick particularly."

Climate change is also on her agenda. "Climate change is real," she says. "We saw Superstorm Sandy. We've seen more and more larger, stronger storms that have been not only affecting the Caribbean but our area as well."

Reyes says she also plans to advocate for funding for youth and senior centers.