Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Leslie Boghosian Murphy for City Council District 3
Candidate Name: Leslie Boghosian Murphy
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 3
Campaign Website: https://www.lesliefornyc.com/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I have proudly called this district home for over 22 years, living here first as a young working woman, then married, and now raising our 13-year-old daughter, Cecelia, and our rescue dog, Bailey. This neighborhood isn’t just where I live, it’s where I’ve built my family and my community.
I am the granddaughter of immigrants who fled the Armenian genocide and arrived in New York knowing no English, building new lives through hard work. My parents carried that spirit forward: my father, raised in Queens, earned a free education at City College before they opened a small cheese store and I saw the hard work that went into running a small business. Their stories shaped my belief in opportunity, fairness and the promise of this city.
I was extremely close to my maternal grandfather. As a survivor and a refugee, he had a very strong sense of right and wrong, of what was just and what was unjust and he instilled that sense in me as well. It was what led me to journalism and as an EMMY-winning journalist, it was my privilege to work for years telling stories of the marginalized and elevating the voices of people who had none.
For years I’ve dedicated myself to strengthening our community. I am currently the Chair of Manhattan Community Board 4, serve on the Launch Advisory Committee of New Yorkers United for Child Care - where we are celebrating big wins for free child care here in NY just a few years in - serve on the Port Authority Bus Terminal Advisory Council and the Hudson River Park Trust Advisory Council.
I fought to bring shore power to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. I negotiated a Community Fund with the City that every passenger coming off a cruise ship is subject to a $1 fee and goes straight to the community.
These roles and accomplishments have given me a deep understanding of how local government works and how to bring people together to deliver results.
That commitment to independence, rigor, and problem-solving is the same drive I’ll bring to City Council.
I am an environmentalist, a supporter of civil and LGBTQ+ rights, an animal advocate, and a believer in pushing back against the system to get results. Our city needs leaders who can turn big ideas into lasting change, not just temporary fixes. I have spent my career solving problems and delivering results, and I am ready to help build a stronger, fairer, more resilient New York City for everyone in District 3.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have supported many LGBTQ+ initiatives and organizations including GRACE (Gender Research Advisory Council & Education, SAGE and supported/volunteered for Brad Hoylman-Sigal & Tony Simone, local LGBTQ+ candidates.
3. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
I have attended and participated in many gatherings over the years, both big and small with a few recent highlights:
Hands Off/ICE out of NY
Weekly Rallies in front of Trump Tower
No Kings March
Women’s March
BLM/Black Queer Lives
Immigrant Children Separated at the Border (Organizer of fundraiser and awareness event at Columbus Circle)
Azerbaijan human rights violations against Armenia
Painted “Black Lives Matters” in front of Trump Tower
4. In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
There are several fronts on which I will work to counter the Trump agenda. As a local elected official, I believe it is our responsibility to cut through the malicious and harmful voice of Republican politics and ensure that the constituents of District 3 (and the city) receive accurate, timely information about the issues that affect their daily lives. We also have to “Trump-proof” New York going above and beyond, codifying LGBTQ+ and civil rights laws here in New York.
I will collaborate closely with local law enforcement and the Manhattan District Attorney to responsibly address concerns related to ICE and federal immigration enforcement, while ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our community are treated with dignity and protected under our law. And, as a former journalist, I understand the power of clear communication. I intend to use the platform of this office to elevate voices that too often go unheard and to advocate tirelessly on behalf of those who need a champion in City Hall.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
Never.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes. I strongly support the right to abortion because decisions about pregnancy belong to a woman and her doctor, not politicians. I also support repealing the Hyde Amendment so that someone’s income never determines whether they can access essential healthcare. But first, we have to push pro-choice candidates in the midterms to counteract the recent federal funding bans affecting medical and educational clinics.
7. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
Before joining Manhattan Community Board 4, I volunteered at the local women’s and children’s shelter so I understand the dynamics of integrating temporary populations into stable neighborhood offerings such as schools, work opportunities and social events. Our District has one of the highest concentrations of supportive services in the city (Hell’s Kitchen) and I have worked hard through the Community Board and with our elected officials to marry vulnerable populations and the services they need.
I have advocated for our District schools, some of which received hundreds of ELS children (English as a Second Language) to have the appropriate resources and aid as they navigate their new surroundings.
At the same time, I believe in fair share and that shelters are emergency relief and not the end goal of our policies. We must focus on expanding long-term affordable and supportive housing, strengthening prevention efforts and helping people transition into stable homes.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
I strongly support protecting immigrants and maintaining New York City’s status as a sanctuary city. We have come to the point where ICE is no longer operating as a credible, federal agency. Though federal agencies have jurisdiction over local agencies, we are operating in different times. I would urge the Mayor and my colleagues in City Council to consider using the enforcement mechanisms at our disposal at the city level to prohibit ICE agents from moving freely in our streets and inside our buildings. This would include activation of the NYPD and anti-terrorism units to keep order and protect NYC residents and our way of life.
To this end, I have been very vocal in supporting Assembly Member Simone’s MELT & RADAR Acts, banning the use of face coverings for federal agents and creating a public dashboard sharing data on immigration arrests and detentions to track ICE movements.
One other step we must take to strengthen these protections is to ensure that city agencies carefully safeguard the data they collect conducting city business. Even without direct cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the improper sharing of information with third parties can expose vulnerable New Yorkers to enforcement actions. Our policies must prioritize privacy and prevent the misuse of data.
9. Do you support New York City becoming a Transgender Sanctuary City?
Yes. I commit to prioritizing protections, support and safe access to services for transgender people. Transgender people face disproportionate rates of violence. They also experience significant barriers in accessing health care. And yes, our city, and specifically our district, can be a support hub for the Transgender community highlighting these support services but we also really have to work on the lack of legal protections Trans people are experiencing right now.
10. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Yes. In fact, my 2021 campaign was the first to hold a Drag Queen Brunch Fundraiser (unless you know of one before that!). To stress this point, I have taken my daughter when she was very young to drag plays (i.e. Cinderella) to expose her to the diversity around her.
I also enjoy the Drag Brunch at RISE bar in my neighborhood but not sure that counts in this case.
11. Have you ever opposed liquor licensing for an LGBTQ+ establishment? If so, which and why?
No.
12. If elected, will you support raising taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
Yes. I believe the wealthiest New Yorkers and large corporations should pay their fair share so we can invest in the services that keep our city strong and work towards affordability.
I also believe we should reexamine current tax breaks the wealthiest currently receive to close loopholes that are contributing to the “responsibility gap.” Voters have already signaled strong support for a more equitable tax structure and leaders like Zohran Mamdani have helped build that mandate. On the City Council, I would be proud to help execute that vision responsibly.
13. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers and those living with disabilities and chronic illness including HIV/AIDS? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I believe one of the most vulnerable populations are LGBTQ+ youth, especially ones of color. Teens and pre-teens are a naturally emotionally and socially exposed population; those seeking to find and form their sexual identity even more so. Our District has been a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ population and we should work to fortify that in the form of access to mental health services, gender affirming programs and general access to healthcare.
14. Will you sponsor and support legislation which will ensure that local resources are not used to facilitate or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement (New York for All Act) to prevent the funneling of people into ICE custody, and the sharing of sensitive information with ICE?
Yes.
15. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes. As a journalist I covered the inhumane law in Florida of sending children to prison without parole. After my professional obligation ended, I personally worked to free a young man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole when he was 14 years old who I met through my investigation. The work we did in Florida contributed to the Supreme Court ruling that it was unconstitutional to sentence juveniles to life without parole for non-homicide offenses. (Graham v. Florida 2010)
16. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
17. 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. My prior work has demonstrated this.
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. I fully support embracing government transparency and providing access to vital government processes.
19. Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election? Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for Public Advocate?
Adrienne Adams in the primary. No, I did not rank Cuomo on the 2025 primary ballot. I supported Jenifer Rajkumar for Public Advocate.
20. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support renaming the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes. Ed Koch’s legacy includes actions that caused lasting pain for many New Yorkers, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community during the AIDS crisis. I respect the voices of those who have long called for this history to be recognized, and I support renaming the bridge to better reflect our city’s values of inclusion, dignity and respect.
21. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
The best route in creating healthy affordable housing is combining the creation of new units, preserving the affordable units we have now and identifying repurposing opportunities. Taken together, these approaches can help expand housing supply and support more affordable options across our communities.
As Chair of the Community Board, I am proud our Board created and promotes our Affordable Housing Plan, the only one in the city, identifying space and potential area where affordable housing can be developed. Our District is also one that has created the most affordable housing units across the city.
As a member of the Land Use Committee and contributing to MCB4’s Affordable Housing Plan, I believe the City should transfer City-owned sites to the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) from other city agencies to accelerate affordable housing production. We should also identify other publicly-owned sites as potential development sites (as we do in CB4’s Affordable Housing Plan document).
22. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes to police and corrections, fossil fuel and charter schools. I would have to look into the Jewish PACs you listed and their works.
23. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults?
I support protecting sex workers from criminalization and the harms that policing drives underground. People in those communities should feel safe reporting horrors like violence and trafficking to law enforcement without fear of arrest.
At the same time, public safety and understanding the individual situations of sex workers matter, and we need smart regulations that prevent coercion and subjugation, protect health, and ensure that decriminalization doesn’t create opportunities for exploitation. For example, I do not support decriminalizing the organization or individual that operates as the ‘pimp’.
24. Will you immediately join the Progressive Caucus upon inauguration?
My priority will always be delivering what’s best for the residents of District 3. I share the Progressive Caucus’s commitment to affordability, equity and protecting working families and I would immediately apply to join upon taking office.
25. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
With Zohran Mamdani now serving as mayor, New Yorkers have delivered a clear mandate for bold, progressive change, and this moment demands leaders who know how to execute. For over 22 years, I have worked to improve Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, and the West Village, the community where I am raising my family, by bringing people together and delivering real results.
As Chair of Community Board 4 and a member of the Port Authority Bus Terminal Advisory Council and Hudson River Park Trust Advisory Council, I have led on the issues that matter most. I helped secure free child care for New Yorkers, I fought for shore power at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal to clean our air and brought virtual learning to our most vulnerable students during COVID. These are not promises; they are proof of my ability to turn advocacy into action.
This is the kind of leadership the City Council needs right now: practical, collaborative, progressive and focused on lasting progress. I have spent the past two decades doing the work, and I am ready to seize this moment to deliver meaningful results for District 3.
26. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes. I agree to proudly display the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials.