Alex Pan was born in New York, New York. As of April 2021, he attended Denison University. Pan’s career experience includes working as a social media intern at eXP Realty.[1]
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Brad Lander in round 10 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.
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1,791
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There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
Total votes: 868,087
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
Alex Pan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pan's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Alex Pan (Democratic Party) is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree at Denison University, with past experience as a Groundskeeper at the New York City Housing Authority and Administrative Assistant at the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council.
Pan (Democratic Party) is running for election for New York City Comptroller. Pan declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled for June 22, 2021.
I'm particularly passionate about desegregation of our schools (particularly disparities amongst public high schools) and tackling systemic racism in our government. Growing up as a product of our public schools system, my experiences in PACE High School and other institutions serving predominately low-income students of color have showed me the disparities students face and the imbalance of economic resources and programs. Also with the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), the data shows clear disproportionality in the racial makeup of admitted classes. I'm a big advocate for eliminating screens to schools, scrapping the SHSAT for a more holistic approach, and reforming the charter school system to reduce DOE spending to fund them.
Police reform is a necessity in our nation, especially with the senseless profiling, attacking, and killings of African Americans in our communities. Not only do we need to re-examine police training, we need to shift/reallocate nonviolent responses by the NYPD to psychologists and nonlethal responses, and invest in such resources. We need to examine our spending on paying NYPD arbitration costs, and ensure accountability. The system needs to change.
I'm not connected to special interests. I'm a working class, everyday guy who can't drive and relies on public transportation to travel, and I understand that our city is in a financial hole. We must spend responsibly while stimulating economic recovery from COVID-19.
The Comptroller is the Chief Financial Officer, Government Watchdog, and Fiduciary of the City's Pension Funds. That's a lot of financial power, power to ensure accountability, and control over government efficiency. The capability to audit city government agencies can insure transparency and compliance with Freedom of Information Law requests amongst others, and makes it so that we can have better public service.
I look up to my mother Sophia, and immigrant and teacher. I grew up in her footsteps and marching around with her as she worked and provided for me, and I've always admired her passion for working with children and tenacity for fighting the language barrier despite English being her second language. She went to school with me while she was pregnant, and continued to go to ESL classes at my elementary school as I went to class. I look up to her every single day.
Serving only the best interests of the entire constituency void of special interests is important in our current political landscape. Not only do they need to be collaborative, but also principled and empathetic.
I've had to work and hustle for everything I have, and I understand that it's an honor for a working young man of color to have a shot at a citywide office. I'm incredibly humbled by that reality, and I'm indebted to my supporters, my community, and my city for giving me this opportunity - and I'm determined to serve with everything I've got.
I believe that the officeholder must listen to grassroots voices and make prudent decisions in terms of auditing, investments, and commit to being antiracist.
I want to see a city that makes a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, revitalized small businesses, and reducing poverty and crime across the city.
The first historical event that I remember in my lifetime is President Obama's first election win, and I remember being 6 years old. All I remember is standing up to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and my elementary school teacher crying for tears because Obama won. She was the only African American teacher at my school, and I will never forget the look of joy in her eyes and the framed picture of the President she kept right next the the chalkboard under the flag.
My first job was as a Groundskeeper in the New York City Housing Authority Rutgers Houses at 15 years old. I held the job for two months, and it was a lifechanging experience. I was sweeping leaves off the grounds, picking up needles in playgrounds, and cleaning used condoms off parking lots for the minimum wage. I gained valuable mentorship and experience in the essential work that our groundskeepers do, and gained an appreciation and understanding for the public bureaucracy. I saw the state of affordable housing for the first time, and the makeup of it from the underground to what the public sees.
My favorite book is Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. It was always a childhood favorite of mine, and gave me the initial spark that anybody could be a hero - even if we didn't realize our potential.
I struggled with my skin and culture growing up as a Taiwanese/Chinese American. It wasn't easy being one of three people who shared your ethnicity in school, being the "chinito" on the bus, and watching hate crimes rise on the AAPI community. Intersectionality has had a huge spot in this area, and I've seen it clash with my fight against toxic masculinity growing up, and standing up to traditionalist family values. Learning and constant growth is difficult, and remains a beautiful struggle to this day, especially embracing and accepting myself and my identity.
It may be beneficial , however it's not a prerequisite to ethical and clean governance. Political experience doesn't guarantee the absence of special interests, lobbyists, and private interests.
I'm a collaborative listener and technocrat when it comes to management. I will surround myself as Comptroller with financial industry talent, and brilliant minds that will serve the public well and dutifully.
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