Yiatin Chu, challenging Senator Stavinsky in the 11th District, and Kenneth Paek, challenging Assemblyman Lee Rosa in the 25th District, officially opened their campaign offices at the same location in East Queens (58-06 Springfield Blvd.) on September 1st. They mentioned that this marks the sprint phase leading up to the general election on November 5th.
In her speech, Yiatin Chu shared that her parents brought her and her two siblings to the United States in 1976, purchasing a house in Whitestone with their savings, where she moved in 1979. She believes that hard work, law-abiding behavior, and taking care of the neighborhood are traditional American values, but these foundations established over generations are currently in danger. She highlighted the increase in various crime rates in the city, including a 34% or higher increase in major crime categories citywide compared to five years ago, with a 74% rise in North Queens; robberies in the 109th and 111th precincts of the police department increased by 70% and 150% respectively, while car thefts rose by 5 times and 7 times respectively. If elected, her first goal would be to push for bail reform.
Yiatin Chu also criticized the influx of illegal immigrants, New York’s sanctuary city status, and the decline in quality of life due to Adam’s “City of Yes” project.
Despite Democrats being the majority of voters in New York, Yiatin Chu expressed confidence in her chances of winning. She cited examples such as Stefano Forte, who challenged Stavinsky and received 43% of the vote two years ago at just 25 years old, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Sutton winning a significant portion of this district; as well as Republican Councilman Paradino defeating a Democratic candidate by 20 points. She urged Republicans to vote absentee, early, and on election day, pointing out that many Democratic voters are eager for sensible policies and willing to cross party lines.
Kenneth Paek, a Republican candidate who emerged victorious in the primary election and is challenging the State Assembly in the 25th District, shared his background: a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, served in the Navy, worked for 17 years in the NYPD, held positions at the 109th precinct, and retired from the NYPD in January 2023. He welcomed everyone to the campaign office to voice their concerns, suggestions, and opinions to both himself and Yiatin Chu.
Several supporters, including former Republican mayoral candidate Cruise Siliwa, attended the opening ceremony of the campaign office to express their support for the two candidates. Zang Donghui remarked that while defending the specialized high school entrance exams and opposing the construction of a prison in the community, he witnessed Yiatin Chu’s outstanding abilities, good character, non-extremist approach, and strong organizational and leadership skills, describing her as an excellent candidate with a combination of competence and morality.
Jiang Fanghua, a “lifelong Republican” who has been in the United States for over thirty years, emphasized that traditional American values are based on one’s efforts, contributions, and achievements, and that in contributing, one also reaps benefits. She chose Yiatin Chu because she hopes for a change in the many disturbances that have arisen in New York since the COVID-19 pandemic.