Over four hundred community leaders, elected officials, and residents gathered on Friday (January 30) at the Democratic Club in Brooklyn to attend the campaign kickoff event for Dr. Larry He, who is running for New York State Senator in the 17th District. During the event, several political figures and community representatives spoke, affirming Dr. He’s years of dedication to the community and his tangible actions in responding to the needs of the people, urging voters to actively support him in the Democratic primaries in June and the general election in November.
Prominent figures such as New York State Assemblyman William Colton and City Council Member Wen-Yi Zhu endorsed Dr. He at the event. Colton described Dr. He as a “community activist”, highlighting his internship in Colton’s office as far back as 2006 and his continuing role as Chief of Staff, assisting residents with immigration, elder services, and education-related matters, providing support to residents of diverse language backgrounds.
Speakers at the event mainly consisted of leaders from the Cantonese community in Brooklyn, including the New York Guangdong Association, Brooklyn Chinese United Association, Bay Parkway Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Laundromat Association, Guangdong Alumni Association, BBA, and other organizations. They praised Dr. He’s specific community service achievements, such as coordinating the reopening of restrooms at Seth Low Park in Brooklyn, assisting seniors with snow removal during storms, and ensuring homeless individuals were sheltered during extreme cold weather, even offering to stay overnight to comfort those in need.
On issues of public safety and community development, attendees mentioned Dr. He’s involvement in walking patrols with the 62nd Precinct of the police department and organizing or participating in numerous rallies against the placement of homeless shelters on 86th Street. In education, he has shown concern for the specialized high school admissions exam system and students’ access to educational resources, advocating for increased education and tuition support for low-income families.
Several local Democratic leaders emphasized Dr. He’s long-standing presence at the forefront of the community, noting his willingness to speak up for residents and his receipt of over 600 threatening messages for his stance against the homeless shelter issue on 86th Street. They described him as a “community hero”, “activist”, and “constantly on the scene”, stating that the community needs a representative who can bring resources, is willing to be present in person, serves long-term, and has a proven track record.
In a passionate speech, Dr. He expressed that his motivation for running lies in his deep emotional connection and sense of responsibility to the community. From Sunset Park to Bensonhurst, 8th Avenue to 86th Street, Kensington to Gravesend, these communities have nurtured families, established businesses, and welcomed generations of immigrants. “We are often overlooked, underestimated, but as long as we stand together, one voice can become many voices, bringing true change to the community,” he said.
Dr. He emphasized his choice to prioritize “community over politics”, pledging to serve residents impartially regardless of political party, ethnicity, religion, or background. He stated that the core of this movement is unity and responsibility, not opposition and emotions, hoping to set an example for the younger generation through his actions, demonstrating a people-centric spirit of public service.
City Council Member Wen-Yi Zhu voiced her strong support for Dr. He, emphasizing that what the community needs most at present is not just empty talk and slogans but a spirit of “solid perseverance and steady progress” in getting things done. She recalled knowing Dr. He twenty years ago when his wife was her university professor, and during her student years when in need, the He family always opened their home to provide care and support for her and her classmates. She described Dr. He as someone with resilience and initiative, capable of implementing community affairs one by one, garnering support from the Chinese and multi-ethnic communities.
Currently, the incumbent State Senator for the 17th District is Republican candidate Xue Li Chen. In this election cycle, Dr. Larry He is the only registered Democratic candidate for this seat. Former State Senator Yin-Wen Qu, who registered to run a year ago, did not register to run in this election cycle. Instead, on Thursday afternoon, she announced on her personal LinkedIn account that she has joined the Empire State Development as Assistant Vice President of the Film and Television Office, expressing her excitement to support New York’s film, television, and creative industries. This move has been interpreted by the public as her decision not to participate in the election campaign for this district this year.