Hatem El-Gamasy
Hatem El-Gamasy (Safe&Affordable Party) is running for election to the New York City Council to represent District 45. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on June 24, 2025.
El-Gamasy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Hatem El-Gamasy earned a bachelor's degree from Menoufia University in Egypt and a graduate degree from Seton Hall University.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in New York, New York (2025)
General election
General election for New York City Council District 45
Incumbent Farah Louis, Elijah Diaz, and Hatem El-Gamasy are running in the general election for New York City Council District 45 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Farah Louis (D) | |
 | Elijah Diaz (R / Conservative Party)  | |
 | Hatem El-Gamasy (Safe&Affordable Party) | |
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Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for New York City Council District 45
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Farah Louis in round 1 .
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Republican primary election
Republican Primary for New York City Council District 45
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Elijah Diaz in round 1 .
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Hatem El-Gamasy (R)
Conservative Party primary election
Conservative Primary for New York City Council District 45
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Elijah Diaz in round 1 .
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Hatem El-Gamasy completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by El-Gamasy's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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In Brooklyn, I’ve embraced my role as a neighbor and community member, volunteering at the New York Foundling Hospital, teaching ESL to immigrants at Columbia University’s Community Impact Center, and assisting asylum seekers at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. I’ve also run a small business, which deepened my understanding of the struggles small business owners face. My love for this diverse district led me to pursue a master’s degree in international relations and publish a book highlighting critical social issues.
Now, encouraged by neighbors and friends, I’m running for New York City Council in District 45. My candidacy is built on community values and a commitment to ensuring our diverse voices are heard. Together, we can secure a seat at the table and demand the change we deserve.
Join me—our unity is our strength.- Reduce and Simplify City Laws:
Have you gotten a ticket for double parking in a bus lane just for stopping in front of your home to pick up family members or unload groceries? You’re not alone. This is just one example of how our city has become overregulated, complicating our daily lives without solving real problems. It’s like those drug commercials on TV that claim to treat one condition but cause twenty other side effects.
New York City is one of the most regulated cities in the country, with rules governing nearly every aspect of our daily life. While many of these regulations aim to protect public safety and fairness, the sheer volume and complexity have unintended consequences—burdening small businesses, and residents alike. - Support for Small Business: In New York City, nearly half of our 220,000 small businesses are owned and run by hard-working immigrants. These businesses are the backbone of our local economy. Money spent at local businesses tends to stay in the neighborhood, supporting the entire community. Small business owners work long hours and must navigate a maze of complex city requirements, regulations, and laws just to stay afloat. Many of these regulations are confusing and open to multiple interpretations, making it hard for business owners to fight against fines and easy for city agencies to use them as a source of revenue. As a former small business owner, supporting small businesses is my top priority.
- Support For families: The more hard-earned money you pay to the City in fines and tickets issued under confusing laws and regulations, the less you have to secure food and essentials for your family. Overregulation drives up costs and complicates daily life. From traffic rules that make it hard to drive or park, to housing regulations that discourage landlords from maintaining affordable units, to restrictive childcare requirements—these layers of bureaucracy often make life harder for the people who work the hardest. It doesn’t have to be this way. NYC needs smarter, simpler regulations that work with residents and businesses—not against them. By streamlining outdated and unnecessary rules, we can strike a better balance.
I am also deeply committed to addressing the mismanagement of our city funds. I support prioritizing people’s needs and advocate for transparency and strong accountability mechanisms. People deserve to know how city agencies spend public money, how spending is prioritized, and how funds are ensured to be used as intended.
Throughout the story, Santiago, the main character, reflects on how the fear of failure can hold us back from pursuing our dreams. The book reminds us to follow our hearts, because, as it says, “Wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”
For me, putting people first is my top priority. That is why I am running as an independent—to fully represent the people of my district, the neighbors I relate to and live among, and nothing else.
My very first job after graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in education was teaching ESL in Egyptian public schools. I taught for seven years, and it became my true passion. Being a teacher allowed me to inspire young minds, connect with my community, and develop invaluable skills like active listening and problem-solving. I loved every moment of it, and I still miss teaching to this day.
This lack of participation shows that many New Yorkers may not realize just how much the City Council shapes their lives. It’s essential to raise awareness about the power of this office and encourage more residents to engage in local elections. Strong voter participation can lead to better representation and ensure that the Council reflects the needs and priorities of all New Yorkers.
An elected official must be connected to the people they serve, listen to their concerns, and advocate for their demands. Familiarity with the district and the willingness to stand up for the community are far more valuable than prior political experience. I believe leadership is about serving people, not about resumes or titles.
These decisions have eroded trust in government for many, as they reflect a pattern of misplaced priorities. In fact, trust in government is at an all-time low, both in New York City and nationwide, as highlighted by studies from organizations like Pew Research Center. Perceived inefficiencies, corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and frustration with government services all contribute to this growing sentiment of disillusionment.
That is why I believe financial transparency and government accountability are non-negotiable for restoring trust between elected officials and the people they serve. Taxpayers have a right to know exactly how their money is being spent and whether it’s being used effectively to meet their needs.
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 December 29, 2024.
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