Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Virginia Maloney for City Council District 4
Candidate Name: Virginia Maloney
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 4
Campaign Website: https://www.virginiamaloney.com
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I’m a native New Yorker—born and raised on the East Side of Manhattan – running to represent the City Council District 4 - the neighborhood I grew up in and love.
I have spent my life bridging public and private sector experience, and dedicated my career to improving people's lives through the advancement of technology. I led an effort to expand free public wifi across the city under Mayors Bloomberg and de Blasio and brought oversight to the high-speed rail program on the Northeast Corridor as a federal consultant. Now I work at a large tech company, where I created a tool to help the blind and vision impaired navigate the world.
Today, technology is outpacing government oversight. We need leaders who understand the industry—not just to regulate it, but also to harness its potential to modernize government services and improve lives. I have experience taking concept to execution—turning complex projects into real world impact. I know how to navigate challenges and deliver results.
2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?
I have donated to and attended events for numerous LGBTQ organizations including but not limited to HRC & SDNYC.
3. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?
Yes.
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?
I actively campaigned for last year’s successful passage of Prop 1 that strengthens anti-discrimination protections including for gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
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?
City government is going to be more important than ever while Washington is completely controlled by Trump and his zealots. I will vocally defend the rights of New Yorkers and work to increase legislative protections on the local level.
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?
I will not seek nor will I accept their endorsements. I will always condemn homophobia and anti choice behavior in all contexts.
7. 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?
City government is going to be more important than ever while Washington is completely controlled by Trump and his zealots. I will vocally defend the rights of New Yorkers and work to increase legislative protections on the local level.
8. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes. I will fight strongly to expand protections for reproductive rights and access to reproductive care. Trump’s MAGA attacks on abortion access will quite literally lead to people dying. New York must be a sanctuary for anyone seeking out reproductive care including abortions.
9. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
I have not hosted a Drag Story Hour but strongly support these events which celebrate diversity and promote creativity in our communities.
10. What proposals will do you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?
New York is the most diverse city in the history of the world. This is one of our greatest strengths. I will push for public education investments so that all New Yorkers fully understand their rights when interacting with federal agents.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I have never opposed a shelter. I believe we need to create more housing – including deeply affordable housing – in order to address homelessness.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
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.
18. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?
Yes.
19. 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.
20. Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?
Kathryn Garcia.
21. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?
I will not be supporting Eric Adams for Mayor, and I have endorsed Keith Powers for Manhattan Borough President and Mark Levine for NYC Comptroller.
22. Do you support the renaming of the Ed Koch bridge and will you work towards the renaming including sponsoring such legislation?
No.
23. What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for “City of Yes”? If not, please explain.
I am committed to increasing the number of affordable housing units in the City including on the East Side of Manhattan.
We need to take a holistic approach to housing including updating out-dated zoning regulations, identifying under-used City owned properties, and converting empty commercial space in Midtown to residential. City of Yes was an important step, but 80,000 new units in a City of over 8 million is not enough.
24. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?
I strongly oppose efforts to expand the illegal hotel business and short-term rental market, which significantly increases housing costs in NYC.
25. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?
I have been a lifelong ally of the LGBTQ community and will actively work with organizations like the JOLDC to fight against the Trump agenda in City Hall. I have both public and private sector experience and a proven background of finding novel solutions to difficult problems. I also bring with me an intimate understanding of the technology sector, and bring the knowledge required to regulate that industry to protect New Yorkers private information.
26. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
The current in-year spending for this race has been raised to $342,000 based on the filing of another candidate not participating in the matching funds program. I have raised $282K with matching funds, including over $85K private and the full
$202,667 public matching amount. This is the most raised besides my wealthy opponent, and it was raised in the shortest length of time--giving my campaign the resources to compete on an even footing with the candidate not participating in the matching funds program.
27. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?
No.