Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Julie Won for City Council District 26

Candidate Name: Julie Won

Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 26

1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?

I was first elected to the City Council in 2021, and since then, I have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for local schools, parks, and community organizations, approved over 1,600 units of affordable housing, and focused on uplifting marginalized communities across the city. My race is uncontested this year, and in my final term, I hope to continue delivering for my constituents.

2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?

I rely on the JOLDC to alert me to issues that are of great importance to the community, and I am proud to be an ally and supporter of many LGBTQ organizations, candidates, and political movements. I do not endorse candidates often, but endorsed LGBTQ candidates at the city and state, and judicial level – often at the strong recommendation of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club

3. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?

Yes absolutely, and I’m proud to have been endorsed by JOLDC since my first campaign.

4. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump?

As a progressive Democrat, I have joined other around the city at many protests for reproductive rights, racial justice, LGBT rights, and those opposing Trump’s hard-right policies. Now, as his second term is underway, Trump seems more determined than ever to fulfill his campaign promises, but I will ensure that this city protects those he has targeted for years, including the trans community and our immigrant neighbors.

5. In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?

The war on women has been ongoing, but Trump has stacked the courts, Congress, and his cabinet with those who wish to roll back reproductive rights and execute mass deportations. As Council Member, I will do everything in my power to stand in Trump’s way, from attending protests and rallies, to drafting and supporting legislation that uplifts the most vulnerable among us.

6. Will you seek or accept endorsements of individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, such as Ruben Diaz Sr., Fernando Cabrera or Erick Salgado? Will you pledge to denounce their homophobia and anti-choice positions in the event you receive an endorsement from such individuals?

No, I will never seek endorsements from anti-LGBTQ+ candidates, and will be supporting my colleague CM Sanchez against Cabrera and his hateful rhetoric. If they do endorse me for some reason, I’ll denounce them. But they would never endorse me in the first place.

7. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?

Yes.

8. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?

Yes to all–and I will gladly continue funding, supporting, and hosting Drag Story Hours in my district’s libraries.

9. What proposals will do you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?

I will support any measure that prevents the City from cooperating with federal immigration agencies. I am heartbroken and angered by the images of such operations over the past few weeks.

10. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?

My district has one of the highest concentrations of asylum seekers in the City, and I have never opposed the siting of any homeless or migrant shelters in my district’s empty hotels. I’ve welcomed asylum seekers at the bus terminal, hosted dinners for them and members of the community, and continue to offer free necessities for all asylum seekers and struggling New Yorkers in my district office.

11. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2970, introduced by Council Member Shahana Hanif? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text urges the NYS Legislature to pass the New York for All Act, which would ensure state and local resources are not used to facilitate federal immigration enforcement. If not, please explain.

Yes

12. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2917, introduced by Council Member Crystal Hudson? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text endorses the Access to Representation Act, which would establish a “universal right to counsel” for indigent New Yorkers who are subject to removal proceedings under federal immigration law. If not, please explain.

Yes

13. Will you join our efforts to pass legislation mandating the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release? The legislation is commonly known as the New York Elder Parole Bill.

Yes

14. Do you oppose the death penalty?

Yes

15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?

Yes

16. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?

Yes, I have visited Rikers Island detainees regularly since being sworn in, and was there just a few days ago. Absolutely, I believe that incarceration must be focused on rehabilitation and personal growth, not compounding trauma and warehousing non-violent offenders.

17. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?

Yes

18. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?

Yes, but I should note that clemency is a state issue, so I will first check if the information is appropriate for my Council newsletter.

19. . Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?

To be honest, I had 15 opponents as a first-time candidate, so I was too focused on my race to consider the dozen or so candidates for Mayor.

20. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?

I have not endorsed any candidate for Mayor yet, and may wait to see who makes the ballot, and let the candidates state their case before I jump in. In fact, I rarely issue endorsements and choose to focus on delivering for my constituents.

21. Do you support the renaming of the Ed Koch bridge and will you work towards the renaming including sponsoring such legislation?

Yes

22. What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for “City of Yes”? If not, please explain.

Yes, I voted in favor of City of Yes. The solution to the affordable housing crisis is to build more affordable housing all across our City. Our 1.5% vacancy rate, and the unchecked development of luxury units has made many of our neighborhoods unaffordable.

23. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?

I am against the legalization of short-term rentals like AirBnB, as it incentivizes keeping homes unavailable for New Yorkers, drives up housing prices, and creates a network of unregulated hotels.

24. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?

I believe that I have been a fierce advocate for progressive government as Council Member, and have written and supported legislation to bring this vision to reality. And in my last term, I will continue to fight back against the actions of the extreme right at every opportunity.

25. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?

I have great admiration and respect for the Jim Owles Club and its leadership, and I am so honored to have had your support from the very beginning of my career in politics. Since then, I have been responsive, active, and supportive of the club–and I always will be.

26. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?

No, I am not running for City Council Speaker.

questionnaireJim Owles Liberal Democratic ClubFebruary 23, 2025nyc 2025