Benjamin Chou (New York)
Benjamin Chou (Democratic Party) is running for election to the New York City Council to represent District 19. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the Democratic primary on June 24, 2025.
Chou completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Benjamin Chou was born in Flushing, New York. He graduated from Bronx Science High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Queens College in 2013 and a graduate degree from Baruch College in 2022. His career experience includes working as a firefighter and EMT. He has been affiliated with the Phoenix Society.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in New York, New York (2025)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for New York City Council District 19
Incumbent Vickie Paladino and Benjamin Chou are running in the general election for New York City Council District 19 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Vickie Paladino (R / Conservative Party) | |
 | Benjamin Chou (D)  | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Alexander Caruso (Working Families Party)
Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for New York City Council District 19
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Benjamin Chou in round 1 .
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Total votes: 11,575 |
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Republican primary election
Republican Primary for New York City Council District 19
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Vickie Paladino in round 1 .
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Conservative Party primary election
Conservative Primary for New York City Council District 19
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Vickie Paladino in round 1 .
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Working Families Party primary election
Working Families Primary for New York City Council District 19
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Alexander Caruso in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Benjamin Chou completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chou's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm running for City Council as a Democrat who fights for the middle class, the people who make New York City great. A community-first leader guided by my faith.
I remember growing up in a neighborhood where neighbors looked after each other, where block parties forged lifelong friendships, where I got my education — both at church and in our schools. It’s where I learned the values that make me who I am today.
I’ve spent my life serving this city, running towards fires to keep the people of Queens safe. Now I’m ready to serve in a different way: by running toward City Hall.- Community. I will protect what makes our neighborhoods of Northeast Queens special. No to City of Yes. No to one-size-fits-all policies from Manhattan. Yes to funding parks, libraries, senior centers, and after-school programs — the spaces that bring us together.
- Affordability. I want a Queens that’s affordable for working people who keep this city going. The heart and soul of New York City. Our teachers, our nurses, our officers, our firefighters — are being left behind. They’re being priced out of their homes. We are stronger when our civil servants live in the neighborhoods they serve.
- Safety. Everyone deserves to feel safe — in their home, on their block. I know, I’ve walked our neighborhoods and talked to people who are tired of break ins and squatters and reckless drivers. Safety isn’t just about statistics or slogans — it’s about community trust. I’ll work to rebuild that trust, one block at a time.
✅ Affordability — making NYC livable for working and middle-class families
✅ Supporting city workers — fair wages, benefits, and respect
✅ Public safety — safer streets and stronger community trust
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 5, 2025
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