Krystal Harris

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Krystal Harris

Democratic Party

Education

High school

High School for Health Professions and Human Services

Personal

Profession

Government administrator

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Krystal Harris (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Albany Common Council to represent Ward 13 in New York. Harris was disqualified from the Democratic primary scheduled on June 24, 2025.

Harris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Harris was disqualified from the ballot after the City of Albany Board of Elections upheld challenges to her election petitions.

Biography

Krystal Harris earned a high school diploma from the High School for Health Professions and Human Services. Harris' career experience includes working as a government administrator.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Albany, New York (2025)

General election

General election for Albany Common Council Ward 13

Virginia Farrell is running in the general election for Albany Common Council Ward 13 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Virginia Farrell (D)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Virginia Farrell advanced from the Democratic primary for Albany Common Council Ward 13.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Krystal Harris (D)

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Krystal Harris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Harris' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Krystal Harris, and I’m a proud resident of Albany, New York. I am a public servant, community advocate, and parent, who believes deeply in the power of local government to serve everyday people. Over the years, I’ve spoken out alongside other parents navigating the special education system, raised awareness about the treatment of students in our public schools, and supported neighbors facing systemic barriers to housing, safety, and equitable services. My advocacy stems from lived experience, and I’ve made it my mission to amplify voices that are too often overlooked. I am running to bring accountability, compassion, and real community input back into our city’s decision-making.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I show up for everyone. Whether it’s attending community forums, standing with families in crisis, or advocating for system-level change, I don’t shy away from tough conversations or difficult decisions. I show up with honesty, consistency, and empathy.
• I speak truth to power. I’m not afraid to challenge systems that aren’t working. Especially when they fail our most vulnerable residents. My campaign centers justice, equity, and transparency because that’s what our city deserves.
• This campaign belongs to the people. My candidacy isn’t about politics as usual. It is about building something new with the people of Albany. I want to be a voice for everyday residents who know we can do better, and who are ready for bold, community-led leadership.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about educational equity, community-centered public safety, housing justice, and youth empowerment. I believe our children deserve trauma-informed schools where they feel safe, supported, and celebrated, rather than criminalized. I am also deeply committed to ensuring affordable and dignified housing, as well as holding institutions accountable when they fail to protect our residents.
My lived experience has taught me that policy is not abstract; it profoundly affects our daily lives. I intend to use my platform to ensure that city decisions are informed by the voices of those impacted by the challenges and opportunities in the city of Albany.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, accountability, and humility are essential qualities for an elected official. They must lead with integrity, doing what is right even when it is difficult. Elected officials should be accountable to the people they serve at all times, not just during campaign season, and in every decision they make.

Equally important is humility. The willingness to listen, learn, and admit when they don’t have all the answers.

I believe that public service is fundamentally about serving others. It involves showing up, building trust, and prioritizing the needs of the people over personal ambition or political games.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I lead with courage, compassion, and consistency. I’m not afraid to ask hard questions, or speak up when something isn’t right. Especially when it affects our most vulnerable neighbors.

My lived experience navigating public systems as a parent and advocate gives me a real understanding of the challenges people face every day, and that keeps me grounded in the work. I’m also a strong communicator and collaborator. I know how to build relationships, listen deeply, and bring people together across differences to get things done.

Most importantly, I’m deeply committed to transparency and community accountability. I don’t just want a seat at the table. I want to make sure everyone has a voice in shaping the decisions that impact their lives.

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

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Government

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External links

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Candidate

Albany Common Council Ward 13

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