Candidates for 5th City Council District

Democratic
* If there is an asterisk next to a candidate's name, s/he did not submit a profile or record a video.
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Ben Kallos
Democratic

Party Enrolled In: Democratic

Current Occupation: Good Government Advocate, Tech Entrepreneur and Attorney

Previous Occupation(s): EffectiveNY.org (Good Government Group), Executive Director

Education: SUNY Buffalo Law School, SUNY Albany, Bronx Science

Organizational Affiliations: N.Y. Democratic Lawyers Council, Statewide Voter Protection Coordinator; Asphalt Green, Triathlon Club; Park East Synagogue

Prior Public Experience: Public Advocate Mark Green, Policy Director; Assembly Member Jonathan Bing, Chief of Staff; Community Board 8

1. What is the most important issue in Council District 05 you would address if elected?

Transparency and accountability are crucial for eliminating government waste and corruption. I put elected officials' voting records online to increase transparency in the legislature. Now I have an Open Platform at KallosforCouncil.com, where you can submit and vote on solutions for a better city.

 

2. What other important issues would you address if elected?

Transparency can deliver more jobs, better education, affordable housing, senior services, and responsible development, meaning: opposing Marine Transfer Stations in residential districts; supporting small business and residents along the 2nd Ave Subway construction; and ensuring new development supports local infrastructure such as schools, parks, and transportation. For me, senior services are not just a budget line. I support my mother, who raised me and still lives in the district in her valiant fight against Parkinson's Disease. I will fight to protect seniors and their caregivers so we can all maintain our health and independence.

 

3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I have a vision for the future and the experience to get it done. I have delivered results, including: put voting records online for a more transparent legislature, launched a portal so millions could verify their voter registration, and defeated corrupt Senator Espada. I grew up on the Upper East Side with my grandparents and my mother who still lives here. I care deeply for our community. Join me in building a better city at KallosforCouncil.com or call toll-free 855-2-KALLOS.

 

Reprinted as supplied by the candidate. Participating in the NYC Campaign Finance Program.

 

This Guide lists all candidates who appear to be on the ballot for the primary election based on the latest information obtained from the New York City Board of Elections, even if a candidate did not submit a profile or record a video for the Guide. Profiles and video scripts were submitted to the CFB by the candidates and are reprinted as supplied, except in the case of egregious errors and minor formatting issues, which may be corrected by the CFB. Videos appearing in this Guide were recorded and approved for broadcast by the candidates. All the candidates have affirmed under penalty of perjury that the information in their profiles and videos is true to the best of their knowledge. Website and social media links were supplied by the candidates. The CFB is not responsible for non-working links, although it does correct or remove them to the extent practicable. The CFB removes links that are not campaign-related.

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