An Asian immigrant is seeking to topple Democratic Socialist Brooklyn Councilwoman Alexa Avilés in the June 24 primary election.
Democratic challenger Ling Ye kicked off her campaign Sunday for the 38th Council District. The southern Brooklyn district covers Red Hook, Park Slope, Sunset Park, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, which has heavy Hispanic and Asian immigrant populations.
Ye, who emigrated from China when she was 14, formerly served as a congressional aide to Rep. Dan Goldman and describes herself as a pragmatic Democrat backing public safety and quality schools.
She has the support of the pro-Israel Solidarity PAC after Avilés abstained on the City Council resolution to condemn Jewish hate following the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Ye spoke in English and Chinese, and had Spanish translators at her campaign rally.
”I am looking around my community and I am seeing a lot of families who need more support,
just like mine did growing up. People are not feeling safe and families are leaving, either
because of unaffordable housing or unsafe streets,” Ye said.
“New York City has an annual budget of over $110 billion. It’s not right. We can have a safe community, good public schools, a clean environment and good infrastructure if our community gets the funding we deserve. We need a Council member who delivers and actually reflects our needs and values.”
Ye said she raised more than $24,000 in one week after she set up her campaign committee and is on pace to qualify for full public matching funds and run a competitive campaign.
She grew up in Sunset Park and Dyker Heights while her mom worked as a garment factory worker and street vendor.
Ye, who is married and has a young daughter, attended the Cooper Union School of Engineering.
