Meet the new City Council members

It’ll be an unusual session for the New York City Council starting next year. Due to redistricting, it’s only two years, rather than the typical four, and everyone will be representing at least slightly altered districts. And this class has only four new City Council members – each of whom walked a unique path to office. In East New York’s District 42, Democrat Chris Banks defeated a dynastic incumbent in a Democratic primary. In District 13 in the East Bronx, Kristy Marmorato defeated an incumbent in the general election, becoming the first Republican to represent the Bronx in two decades. Harlem’s new City Council member will be Yusef Salaam, who prevailed against two Harlem Democratic heavyweights in a competitive primary to succeed a one-term member who announced she wouldn’t be seeking reelection. And Democrat Susan Zhuang is the first representative of a new Asian-majority district in southern Brooklyn. To introduce these new lawmakers to our readers, we asked them each to fill out a brief questionnaire about their favorite politicians, their priorities for this session and what it means to be a New Yorker. Their responses have been edited for clarity.

Chris Banks

Democrat

District 42, East New York, Brooklyn

What’s your bagel order?

A wheat bagel with mustard and turkey bacon.

Favorite New York City politician past or present? And why?

My favorite politician from the past is former New York City Councilwoman Priscilla Wooten. My favorite politician from the present is House Minority Leader Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.

If you could come up with any street name what would it be? Where would it be? 

I would rename the current Linden Boulevard (to) Justice for All Boulevard.

What item do you hope will be obsolete in 20 years? 

Homeless shelters and soup kitchens.

You have an hour to kill in your district. What are you doing?

Volunteering at a local event providing services to seniors or those who may be less fortunate than others.

What part of campaigning will you not miss?

As a former tenant and housing organizer, I actually enjoy campaigning. Many aspects of campaigning come naturally to me having always incorporated them into my organizing and advocacy efforts over the years. I enjoy speaking with new people, hearing their problems and working collectively to try and find real solutions for them. If there’s one aspect I won’t miss, it’s probably starting to knock on doors and then having to reschedule the efforts due to inclement weather.

What is the first bill you hope to pass in the City Council? 

I would love to have a bill passed that would mandate the inclusion of energy efficiency components in NYCHA buildings to help reduce some of the problems that currently exist. This could be mandating the use of solar panels on building roofs, the mandating of split A/C units or some other aspects that would improve the quality of life for many constituents in my district.

What’s one issue that your constituents face that doesn’t get enough attention in the rest of the city?

One of the key issues that doesn’t get enough attention in the rest of the city is not the lack of access to housing, but the need for continued maintenance of existing buildings where many constituents are unfortunately living in substandard housing conditions without receiving the level of support needed to correct basic quality-of-life issues, such as leaks, mold and rodent infestation. I hope to use my position in the City Council to raise awareness and accountability needed to get many of these conditions resolved. I also want to raise awareness about the lack of accessibility to new housing in the district for Indigenous residents living in some of the aforementioned substandard housing conditions.

What makes someone a New Yorker?

What makes someone a New Yorker is their love for the diversity of this great city, while ensuring they are contributing in positive ways that their fellow New Yorkers would see as a benefit to the community. A New Yorker is someone who always puts the needs of all New Yorkers ahead of their own individual needs that may not benefit the majority of New Yorkers.

Kristy Marmorato

Republican

District 13, East Bronx, including Throggs Neck, Pelham Bay and Morris Park

What’s your bagel order?

An everything toasted with cream cheese.

Who is your favorite New York City politician past or present and why?

Michael Bloomberg because he implemented the electronic medical record system in New York City.

If you could come up with any street name what would it be? Where would it be?

Veterans Valor Way on the street of Veterans Memorial Park.

What item do you hope will be obsolete in 20 years?

For the sake of our health, cigarettes.

You have an hour to kill in your district. What are you doing?

Go to Orchard Beach with my daughter.

What part of campaigning will you not miss? 

Engaging with people, understanding their concerns and hearing their stories were the highlights of the campaign. But, the early morning 4 a.m. wake-up calls to visit train stations and bus stops during the campaign are definitely something I can do some time without!

What is the first bill you hope to pass in the City Council?

I would really like to support the school choice bill.

What’s one issue that your constituents face that doesn’t get enough attention in the rest of the city?

An issue that often flies under the radar in the city that significantly impacts our community is the implementation of e-scooters. While the pilot program aimed to introduce a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation, it unfortunately lacks sufficient oversight, resulting in several pressing concerns.

One major issue is the inadequate regulation of parking for e-scooters. The haphazard placement of scooters can obstruct sidewalks and public spaces, creating inconveniences for pedestrians and compromising accessibility.

What makes someone a New Yorker?

Being a New Yorker involves resilience, diversity and a fast-paced lifestyle, but it’s also about having a connection built over time.

Yusef Salaam

Democrat

District 9, Central Harlem, Manhattan

What’s your bagel order?

An everything bagel with cream cheese.

Favorite New York City politician past or present? And why?

Keith Wright and C. Virginia Fields because they are visionaries who not only work with integrity to make Harlem better, but also tirelessly work to bring a younger generation of coalition builders.

If you could come up with any street name what would it be? Where would it be? 

Exonerated 5 Way on Central Park North from Frederick Douglass Circle to Fifth Avenue.

What item do you hope will be obsolete in 20 years? 

The need for safe injection sites in New York City.

You have an hour to kill in your district. What are you doing?

Walk down Malcolm X Boulevard to have a burger at Harlem Shake, and then spend some time at The Schomburg Center.

What part of campaigning will you not miss?

Campaigning is an essential part of being an elected official, but I believe it’ll be nice to take a break from asking people for money.

What is the first bill you hope to pass in the City Council? 

I’d like to make halal and kosher food more accessible to children in schools even if the number of Muslim and Jewish children is lower in certain schools.

What’s one issue that your constituents face that doesn’t get enough attention in the rest of the city?

Among the many issues Harlem residents face, the one issue that needs more attention is addiction among our youth.

What makes someone a New Yorker?

Being a New Yorker isn't about the flashy nightlife – it’s about being a part of the rise and grind in the grime to create a better today that inspires a hopeful tomorrow.

Susan Zhuang

Democrat

District 43, Southern Brooklyn, including Sunset Park, Bensonhurst and Gravesend

What’s your bagel order?

A cinnamon raisin.

Favorite New York City politician past or present? And why?

Assemblyman William Colton. He is a hardworking person and my mentor.

What item do you hope will be obsolete in 20 years? 

Drivers.

You have an hour to kill in your district. What are you doing?

Go get boba tea and talk to community members.

What part of campaigning will you not miss?

The communicative untruthfulness from opposition – not only the actual spread of incorrect information but also its discursive construction.

What is the first bill you hope to pass in the City Council?

Introducing our groundbreaking solution to address the alarming rise in hate crimes and ensure public safety. Our platform combines advanced technology, data analysis and community engagement strategies to effectively combat this pressing issue.

What’s one issue that your constituents face that doesn’t get enough attention in the rest of the city?

Housing issue: An innovative platform that aims to address the housing needs of residents and those who are currently unaccounted for on the map. Our platform connects these individuals with available housing options, providing them with a safe and secure place to call home.

What makes someone a New Yorker?

New York City, the concrete jungle where dreams come true. It’s not just a place, it’s a state of mind. Being a New Yorker means having an unstoppable hustle, unbreakable resilience and unrivaled independence. It’s about navigating the fast-paced streets with confidence and embracing the vibrant diversity that makes this city so special. Join a community of like-minded individuals who are proud to call themselves New Yorkers. Connect with people from all walks of life, sharing diverse cultures and backgrounds that contribute to the city’s dynamic tapestry. Experience the energy and excitement as you become part of something bigger than yourself.

Editor’s note: After publication, Zhuang admitted this response was written using artificial intelligence. City & State expects respondents to answer questions in their own words. While this falls short of that standard, we are leaving this response in place for the sake of transparency to our readers.