Zahava Durchin

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

Zahava Durchin

Democratic Party

Education

Other

Independence University, Utah Campus, 2021

Personal

Religion

Jewish

Profession

Healthcare

Zahava Durchin (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New York City Council to represent District 44. She did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on June 24, 2025.

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

Biography

Zahava Durchin earned a degree from Independence University in 2021. Her career experience includes working as in healthcare.

Elections

2025

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

General election

General election for New York City Council District 44

Incumbent Simcha Felder and Harold Tischler are running in the general election for New York City Council District 44 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Simcha Felder (D / Conservative Party / Law & Order Party)
		Harold Tischler (R / Trump MAGA Party)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic Primary for New York City Council District 44

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Simcha Felder in round 1 .

		Candidate
✔		Simcha Felder

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Zahava Durchin (D)

Republican primary election

Republican Primary for New York City Council District 44

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Harold Tischler in round 1 .

		Candidate
✔		Harold Tischler

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Conservative Party primary election

Conservative Primary for New York City Council District 44

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Simcha Felder in round 1 .

		Candidate
✔		Simcha Felder

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= 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

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

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Zahava Durchin. I am running for New York City Council, District 44. Have you ever felt like “New York Politicians” are out of touch with the needs of Real Working Class New Yorkers? Well, that feeling is what motivated me to run for New York City Council. For the last 10 years, I worked in the healthcare industry, while studying healthcare management, philosophy, and politics. I understand that New Yorkers need leaders who will work for the best interests of "We the people" - Not Big Corporations. We need leaders who understand the cost of living crisis - and my plan to fight the cost of living crisis includes affordable rent, healthcare, and wages that reflect the cost of living. We need affordable housing and healthcare coverage that covers ALL New Yorkers, regardless of income or employment status. New Yorkers don't deserve to go into debt over a hospital bill - and with The New York Health Act, that will never happen again. If you Agree that it is time for the next generation of leaders to step up and introduce fresh ideas to voters, vote for Zahava.

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?

• Support the New York Health Act
• Support policies that link minimum wage increases to the NYC cost of living
• My vision for housing justice: no one in District 44 pays unreasonable rent to live in their own community. My Rent Control plan includes eliminating Non-refundable Application Fees and advocating for affordable housing projects that cap rent at the following levels per month.

  Studios: $600. 1-Bedroom: $800. 2-Bedroom: $1,000. 3-Bedroom: $1,600. 4-Bedroom: $1,800. I will advocate for incentives that reduce the financial pressure on property owners, allowing them to offer affordable rents without losing profit

  Why is this good for the economy? New Yorkers will have more money each month to support local NYC Businesses, which will lead to a stronger economy. You save money on rent prices = more money going back into NYC Economy

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Affordable housing and healthcare and childcare and transportation and higher education. A living wage for all New Yorkers.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I feel inspired by leaders of many industries: Artists like Taylor Swift and Ethel Cain and Julien Baker, Athletes like Simone Biles and Junko Tabei, a Japanese mountaineer, and the first woman to climb Mount Everest and the Seven Summits, climbing the highest mountain on every continent, Activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Harvey Milk and Greta Thunberg. I feel inspired by politicians who give me hope for a better future, like Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

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

Integrity. Empathy. Accountability. Communication with voters, and welcoming questions from voters. Respect for Diversity- Elected officials must value the diverse backgrounds, and experiences of voters, to guarantee all voices are heard and represented.

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

A strong passion for social justice, healthcare justice, housing justice, and a living wage for all New Yorkers.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Introduce and vote on proposed NYC laws. Negotiate NYC budget with the Mayor. Monitor NYC agencies such as the Department of Education and the NYPD to make sure they serve all New Yorkers fairly.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Building a pathway to affordable housing, healthcare, education, child care, and a living wage, that will lead to a safer NYC for all New York Families.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is a picture book called "Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag", Written by
Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno. The first time I read this book, I learned about the history of the Pride Flag, starting in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker. I read this book every time I feel like I need a reminder of how important it is to always keep fighting for equality.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

For the last 10 years, I worked in the healthcare industry, while studying healthcare management, philosophy, history, and politics. I have a strong passion for research, and social justice. I believe previous experience in government is helpful, but I do not believe it should be REQUIRED, because it is an impossible starting point - everyone must start somewhere, every time you start a new job, in a new industry, you are starting with no previous experience.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I think a passion for social justice is the most important skill - the passion to make the world a better place, and fight for a better future.

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

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic