Susan Lee (New York)
Susan Lee (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New York City Council to represent District 1. She lost in the Democratic primary on June 27, 2023.
Lee completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Susan Lee earned a high school diploma from Brooklyn Technical High School, a bachelor's degree from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2000, and a graduate degree from the New York University, Wagner School of Public Service in 2005. Her career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive.[1]
Elections
2023
See also: City elections in New York, New York (2023)
General election
General election for New York City Council District 1
Incumbent Christopher Marte defeated Helen Qiu in the general election for New York City Council District 1 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Christopher Marte (D) | 68.1 | 9,038 |
 | Helen Qiu (R / Conservative Party / Common Sense Party / Arts and Culture Party) | 30.9 | 4,102 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 123 | ||
| Total votes: 13,263 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for New York City Council District 1
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Christopher Marte in round 1 .
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Total votes: 8,761 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican Primary for New York City Council District 1
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Helen Qiu in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Conservative Party primary election
Conservative Primary for New York City Council District 1
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Helen Qiu in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Lee in this election.
2021
See also: City elections in New York, New York (2021)
General election
General election for New York City Council District 1
Christopher Marte defeated Maud Maron and Jacqueline Toboroff in the general election for New York City Council District 1 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Christopher Marte (D) | 72.1 | 16,733 |
 | Maud Maron (Independent NY Party) | 14.1 | 3,265 | |
 | Jacqueline Toboroff (R) | 13.6 | 3,166 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 48 | ||
| Total votes: 23,212 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic Primary for New York City Council District 1
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Christopher Marte in round 8 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.
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Total votes: 21,834 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Jacqueline Toboroff advanced from the Republican primary for New York City Council District 1.
Campaign themes
2023
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released June 9, 2023 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Susan Lee completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lee's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am the daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong, and a lifelong New Yorker who grew up in affordable housing on the Lower East Side. My parents taught me the values of integrity, caring for your neighbor, and believing the American Dream is attainable through hard work and an excellent public school education. These values powered me to become a successful non-profit executive with the belief that the role of city government is to give a hand-up to people to move into the middle class, and to ensure government services and resources are delivered to those who need it most.
I’ve worked in the nonprofit sphere for most of my life. I spearheaded 9/11 recovery efforts at Sullivan and Cromwell LLP, I have worked as a freelance grant writer, and served on the Board of Directors of Nomi Network and the Board of Trustees of MercyFirst.
Most recently, I founded the SDR Park Alliance, which was awarded $3.3 million from Gov. Kathy Hochul's Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award.
District One is my home, and I will not rest until every constituent thrives. My community agrees: I’m honored to have received the endorsement of DC37, Citizens Union, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, and many other family associations, labor unions, and community leaders.
- Public safety and quality of life have decreased while crime has increased, leading to unemployment and economic instability. I want to work proactively to prevent hate crimes, get illegal guns off our streets and close illegal smoke shops that have proliferated in our communities, especially around schools.
- I am a product of the New York City public school system. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in our education system, and I am committed to do the hard work necessary so that all children have access to quality education regardless of where they live.
- Seniors have poured their hearts and souls into the communities they live in. With the rising cost of living, it is very difficult for some to remain in the neighborhoods they helped build. I am running for City Council because I strongly believe we need to support our senior residents as they age.
According to NYPD CompStat, crime is still much higher in precincts 7, 5 and 1 than it was in 2021 or 2019. While crime is down in districts 7 and 1 thanks to the hard work of our courageous NYPD officers, crime continues to skyrocket in District 5, which encompasses Chinatown. We need to make sure that our communities of color are protected, and ensure all New Yorkers feel safe. That’s why I will champion community policing, give officers incentives to live in-district, and make sure residents are connected with their local officers - who will routinely walk a beat.
A healthy downtown begins with a safe downtown. Tragically, many of our seniors and residents of color are living in fear of hate crimes and gun violence. A healthy downtown is one that is walkable, bikeable, accessible, and has a mix of uses, including residential, commercial, and cultural. It is a place where people can live, work, and play. It is a place that is welcoming to people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds.
We need to do more to make our streets safer for pedestrians, especially seniors and wheelchair users. This is not just a public safety, but also a sanitation and infrastructure issue. We also need to invest in more public spaces, such as parks and plazas. Vibrant, inviting public spaces will inevitably attract more businesses, residents, and will provide valuable cultural capital to our district.
When constituents have issues, they need to be able to voice their concerns in a safe and respectful environment — and, indeed, be listened to. That is why my office will be open to constituents seven days a week, and I will spend a minimum of two days a week personally taking in-person meetings with any constituents who want to talk to me.
My aim is nothing short of building the most accessible and responsive City Council office in the city. Ultimately, I am a public servant, and am here to serve those in my district regardless of who they voted for.
I will know I am doing a good job if every resident of District One feels as if they can bring whatever issues they have to their City Council office, be listened to, and have their concerns addressed promptly.
Transparency and accountability in government is absolutely vital. I believe that record requests from the public should be handled in a timely and efficient manner. The public has a right to know how their government is operating, and I would work to ensure that all records are made available to the public, unless there is a specific reason why they cannot be released.
The spirit of accountability begins in one’s own office. That is why, when elected, I will clearly and publicly display to which nonprofits our district’s discretionary funding is going.
From my first day in office, I will work to make it easier for the public to access information about government activities, and I will create a more open and transparent government culture, both through policy and through my own actions.
Unlike the current councilmember, who has been a longtime advocate of "defunding" the police, I believe strongly in community policing.
When I assume office, I will ensure that officers walk the beat, talk to neighbors, and be incentivized to live in the communities that they patrol. We need to ensure that officers are properly trained, held accountable, and focusing on the concerns of the district residents.
District One does not need any more luxury development. As a lifelong Downtown Manhattan resident who grew up in low-income housing on the Lower East Side, I have seen countless families displaced from the neighborhoods that they have built. We must ensure that our neighbors, especially our seniors, are protected. We must take a thoughtful and inclusive approach to planning
First, we need to make sure that all new development is compatible with the character of our neighborhoods. District One has an incredibly rich history, and is home to some of the oldest ethnic communities in the city. We don't want to see our district transformed into something that it's not. We also need to make sure that any new development provides benefits to all residents, not just the wealthy.
Second, we need to be proactive in addressing the issue of gentrification and displacement. We need to make sure that new development doesn't price out existing residents. We can do this by providing affordable housing options, increasing the FAR cap, and by investing in programs that help people stay in their homes.
I'm committed to working with all stakeholders to create a plan for development that works for everyone. I believe that we can create a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone has a place to call home.
Leading a strong City Council office begins with listening to all constituents. I intend on having nothing less than the most accessible and transparent city council office in NYC history. I believe that the best way to set priorities and develop plans that reflect community values and goals is to engage with the community. In addition to two days of open office hours wherein I will meet directly with constituents, I will hold town halls and community meetings to hear from residents about their concerns and priorities. I will also work with community organizations and leaders to get their input.
I believe that by engaging with all communities in District One, and developing a plan that reflects our values and goals, I can make a positive difference in our district. I am committed to working with the community to create a better future for everyone - and that begins with listening.
Public safety is one of my top issues. With the rise of hate crimes, gun violence and attacks on our most vulnerable seniors of color, we need to step up and ensure that district one is safe for everyone. I believe that the city's current approach to public safety is not working. We are seeing an increase in crime, and people are feeling less safe. I believe that we need to take a different approach, one that focuses on prevention and community-building.
Here are some specific things that I would do to improve public safety in our district:
-I would invest in programs that prevent crime, such as after-school programs and job training programs.
-I would work to build stronger relationships between the police and the community, and incentivize police to stay -in the community . Having officers walking the beat is vital.
-I would promote legislation championing formation of a non-police mental health task force, to ensure that responses to mental health crises are always appropriate.
-I would support policies that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality.
I believe that by taking these steps, we can make District One safer for everyone.
District one is not prepared for our current climate crisis. The Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project must be expedited - we need to ensure goals are always hit. I believe that the city's environmental health is a serious concern. We are facing a number of challenges, including air pollution, water pollution, and climate change. These challenges are having a negative impact on our health and our economy.
Our public and green spaces are in immediate need of attention. As a nonprofit executive, I was able to secure a $3.3 million grant from Kathy Hochul’s office to revitalize Sara D. Roosevelt Park. As councilmember, I will ensure that all parks in District One are welcoming, well-maintained, family friendly spaces for all to appreciate and enjoy.
As councilmember, I vow to clean and update our sewage system. While the construction of the seawall is a vital step forward in our quest for climate resiliency, we also must ensure that our sewers are prepared for heavy rainfall. Not only do we need to expand our existing sewage system, but the existing system must be cleaned and maintained to a far greater extent than it is in the present.
I believe that the police department plays an important role in keeping our community safe. However, I also believe that we need to make some changes to the way the police department operates.
Here are some specific things that I would do to improve the police department:
-I would increase the number of community-based police officers. These officers would be responsible for building relationships with the community and for proactively preventing crime, in addition to responding to it.
-I would have more officers routinely walk a beat in all areas of the district, especially those with frequently reported violent crime incidents.
-I would promote the financial incentivization of officers to rent or buy in the precincts they work in, and similarly incentivize qualified, caring residents to become officers in their own neighborhoods.
-I would promote investment in training for police officers on how to de-escalate situations and how to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
I believe that by taking these steps, we can make the police department more effective and more accountable to the community.
Here are some specific policies that I would have implemented in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic:
-I would have implemented a widespread testing and contact tracing program. This would have helped to identify and isolate cases of COVID-19, slowing the spread of the virus.
-I would have provided financial assistance to businesses and individuals who were struggling due to the pandemic. This would have helped to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, especially for our small businesses, many of whom were ordered to close their doors, yet provided little state, city or federal assistance.
-I would have worked to increase access to vaccines and other treatments for COVID-19. This would have helped to protect people from the virus and to reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths.
I believe that these policies would have helped to save lives and to protect our community from the COVID-19 pandemic. I am committed to working to ensure that our city is prepared for future public health threats.
I am very passionate about green spaces. We need to continually invest in and fight for our green spaces that play an integral part in the social fabric of our lives. Parks are especially essential in densely populated urban areas where they are extensions of our home.
I am the founding board member of SDR Park Alliance. I am thrilled that our organization was awarded $3.3 million from Governor Hochul's Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award. This significant investment will allow us to renovate Sara D. Roosevelt Park, creating a green sanctuary for use by a multicultural and multigenerational neighborhood.
I have always advocated for public gathering spaces because they are essential to the health of our community. Public spaces provide a place for people to come together, connect with each other, and build relationships. They also offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, providing a place to relax, reflect and enjoy nature.
Compassion. Integrity. Accountability. Listening to instead of lecturing constituents, and committing firmly to putting their priorities first.
Ensuring that all the basics are taken care of. Ensuring that the neighborhood is safe, clean and responsible is the bare minimum.
Ensuring that everyone is represented, and their voices are heard, regardless of who they are, what language they speak, or where they live.
Absolutely. Coming from a nonprofit grant writing background, and having obtained a Master’s in Public Administration from NYU Wagner, I believe that to fully utilize the office of City Council to benefit constituents, one must fully understand how to navigate all levels of government, especially when it comes to finances.
Under my leadership, SDR Park Alliance was awarded $3.3M from Hochul's office to revitalize Sara D. Roosevelt park.
I believe that the most helpful skills or expertise for the holders of this office to possess are:
Financial know-how in the public sector: The City Council is responsible for managing a large budget, and it is important for Councilmembers to have a strong understanding of how to make sound financial decisions.
Ties to the neighborhood: Councilmembers should be familiar with the needs and concerns of their constituents, and they should be able to build relationships with community leaders.
Experience in the public and nonprofit sectors: Councilmembers should have experience working in government or in the nonprofit sector. This experience will give them the skills and knowledge they need to be effective advocates for their constituents.
I have all of these skills and expertise. I have a Master's in Public Administration, and I have worked as a professional grant-writer for the past 10 years. In that time, I have secured over $10 million in funding for a variety of nonprofit organizations. I am also a member of the SDR Park Alliance, a group that is working to improve Sara D. Roosevelt Park. In the past two years, we have secured a $3.3 million grant for the park.
-District Council 37
-504 Democratic Club
-Citizens Union
-United Democratic Organization
-Uniformed Fire Officers Association
-New Leaf Democrats
-Eleanor’s Legacy
-The New Majority
-District Leader Justin Yu
-American Institute of Architects
-American Council of Engineering Companies of New York City
-International Union of Operating Engineers
-Lee Family Association of NY
-New York Lung Kong Tin Yee Association
-Yee Shan Benevolent Society
-Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum Education in NYC (#2)
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Note: Community Questions were submitted by the public and chosen for inclusion by a volunteer advisory board. The chosen questions were modified by staff to adhere to Ballotpedia’s neutrality standards. To learn more about Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Expansion Project, click here.
2021
Susan Lee did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 15, 2023
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