On January 26th, Ling Ye, the Chinese-American assistant to current U.S. Congressman Dan Goldman, announced her candidacy for the position of City Council Member in the 38th district of Brooklyn’s Sunset Park. She will challenge the incumbent council member, Alexa Avilés, under the Democratic Party.
At a press conference, Ling Ye appeared alongside several Chinese community leaders and volunteer moms. As a member of an immigrant family, Ling Ye shared her upbringing experience. She immigrated to the United States from China with her mother at the age of 14, growing up in Sunset Park and Dyker Heights while her mother supported the family by working in a garment factory and selling goods on the streets. She attended Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art with a full scholarship. Currently, she is a working mother residing in Brooklyn with her husband and young daughter.
Ling Ye expressed her commitment to improving community safety and the environment, ensuring quality education, securing more housing resources for residents, and hoping to give back to the community that nurtured her through her candidacy. She stated, “I understand the daily struggles of immigrant families, as well as the needs of low-income, middle-class families, and small business owners. I aim to provide the community with safer streets, better schools, more accessible services, and fairer distribution of funds.”
Her campaign goals include “common-sense priorities,” such as supporting police funding, enhancing public schools, efficient government services, and providing funds for the community. She stated, “Looking around my community, people are forced to leave due to unaffordable housing or unsafe streets. New York City has an annual budget of over $110 billion, yet it is not being used to address the core issues facing residents, which is unacceptable.”
Ling Ye’s political experience started in the office of former City Council Member Carlos Menchaca in the 38th district of Sunset Park, later joining the team of U.S. Congressman Dan Goldman, actively advocating for community funds and addressing resident needs. Over the years, she has pragmatically assisted constituents, breaking bureaucratic barriers and becoming a voice for community members.
The 38th district of the City Council covers a large part of Red Hook, Sunset Park, Eighth Avenue, Dyker Heights, and parts of Bensonhurst and Bath Beach. According to the 2020 census and the 2023 redistricting, Asians make up 31.5% of the district’s population, and Hispanics make up 36.6%. Ling Ye believes that the Asian and Hispanic populations are almost equal, and with many Hispanic immigrant families currently dissatisfied with far-left policies, this presents an opportunity for her victory.
“We need a council member who can provide services and truly reflect our needs and values,” she said. Within a week of establishing her campaign committee, she raised over $24,000 and is poised to receive full matching funds. Her strong fundraising ability and deep relationships built over the years in the district have laid the foundation for a competitive grassroots campaign.
Incumbent council member Alexa Avilés is a member of the Progressive Caucus of the City Council and was elected with 9,200 votes (80%) in 2021, successfully re-elected with 5,900 votes (66%) in 2023 after district redraw. According to the New York City Campaign Finance Board data, besides Avilés and Ling Ye, there are two independent candidates in the race — Peter Spiak and Luis E. Quero, who focuses on anti-homeless policy. Therefore, the Democratic primary is expected to focus on the competition between Ling Ye and Avilés.
Community blogger Feng Ling reminded voters that those supporting Ling Ye must register as Democratic Party voters to vote in the primary. If Ling Ye does not win the primary, she will not be able to participate in the November election. Voters must change party registration by February 14, 2025, and new voters can register by June 3, 2025. ◇