The Honorable John C. Liu was sworn into office as the 43rd Comptroller of the City of New York on January 1, 2010.
In 2001, Liu was elected to the New York City Council representing District 20 in Queens. Throughout his tenure, he served as Chair of the Transportation Committee, focusing public policy on the critical role transportation options play in economic development and access to jobs. He also actively served on the Committees on Education, Consumer Affairs, Contracts, Health, Land Use, Lower Manhattan Redevelopment and Oversight & Investigation, as well as on the Executive Board of the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus.
His most significant accomplishments as a legislator include exposing financial irregularities at the MTA, shepherding bills through his committee designed to enhance administrative efficiency, and enacting legislation that ensures equal access to city services regardless of language ability. He is also widely known for being a vocal proponent of immigration reform, successfully taking on television and radio shock-jocks who broadcast hate over public airwaves, and demanding justice for hate and bias-related crimes.
Hailed as a “Trailblazer” and “Pioneer,” Liu’s historic elections as the first Asian American elected in New York City – both to legislative office in 2001 and citywide in 2009 – were marked milestones for Asian Americans in New York and across the nation.
Liu is a certified actuary, and immediately prior to being elected to the City Council in 2001, managed a team of actuaries at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, working on the largest pension plans in the country.
Liu is a proud product of New York City public schools beginning with kindergarten at P.S. 20 in Queens through to the Bronx High School of Science, followed by Binghamton University, where he earned his degree in Mathematical Physics. He lives in Flushing, Queens with his wife, Jenny and their son, Joseph.
