On the evening of February 27, over a hundred supporters gathered to fundraise for Phil Wong, who is running for New York City Council Member in the 30th District, expressing their support for him. The incumbent councilman of the district, Robert Holden, has endorsed Phil Wong, stating that “there is no one more loyal to his community than Phil Wong.”
The Democratic Party’s primary election will take place on June 24. Robert Holden, who is retiring at the end of this year, has endorsed his office’s budget director, Phil Wong (Democratic Party), and his office’s deputy chief of staff, Alicia Vaichunas (Republican Party). Holden expressed that both of them are sensible candidates and voters should cast their ballots for common sense, stating that “whether either of them wins, the community will benefit.”
Holden praised Phil Wong as someone who is “honest, loyal, hardworking, and dedicated to the community. There is no one more loyal to his community than Phil Wong. Among the Democratic Party candidates, there is no one more suitable than Phil Wong.”
Supporters at the fundraising event came from Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, former Assistant District Attorney of Queens Jim Quinn, founder of Asian Americans for Equality Jo-Ann Yoo, Chairwoman of the New York Community Alliance Eva Tang, Vice-Chair of Asian Americans for Equality Xiao-Lian Lin, and others attended to express their support for Phil Wong.
Xiao-Lian Lin presented Phil Wong’s track record to the audience. Phil Wong, who previously served as chairman of the 24th School District and is currently the Chair of Asian Americans for Equality, has been actively engaged in defending specialized high school entrance exams, gifted programs, opposing lottery admissions, and mandatory diversity plans, tirelessly advocating for equal and quality education rights for the Chinese community. He has devoted countless efforts, braving all kinds of weather conditions, traveling to every corner of the city, and even to Albany and Washington DC.
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate running for Mayor again this year, stated that Phil Wong is his advisor in the Asian community, guiding him to avoid risks during the campaign, and he is very grateful to have a mentor and friend like Phil Wong.
Jo-Ann Yoo commented that having someone like Phil Wong in the city council would be a step forward, potentially leading to better laws for New York City, emphasizing the importance of Phil Wong’s presence in the council.
Eva Tang remarked that Phil Wong is not seeking fame or fortune. He often works behind the scenes in many struggles, letting others take the spotlight. “He does not attend events for photo-ops or personal glory; he participates because he genuinely cares about our city and our children’s future. Phil fights for common sense, believing in the right and wrong of policies and laws, never showing animosity towards anyone in real life, only respect and care for others.”
Phil Wong expressed his gratitude to all the supporters who traveled from afar to back him. He promised to follow in Councilman Holden’s footsteps, upholding values of common sense, stating that “caring for the community, caring for the school district, caring for schools – only then can you identify and see where the problems lie and what needs to be done.”
In addition to Phil Wong, other Democratic candidates for City Council include Paul Pogozelski (businessman) and Dermot Smyth (teacher union coordinator).
The primary election for City Council will be held on June 24. The 30th District of the City Council includes communities such as Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Woodhaven.
Phil Wong’s campaign fundraising website: https://contribute.nycvotes.org/campaigns/philwong/contributions/new