The Central Queens Republican Club welcomed ten candidates for Queens Borough President and City Council seats during a meet-and-greet at its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16.
The event provided a platform for candidates to share their visions, answer questions from attendees, and discuss pressing issues affecting their communities.
The meeting began with opening remarks from each candidate.
Bashek Grimes, a public school teacher with a master’s degree in special education, kicked off the introductions. Grimes, who is running to replace Donovan Richards as Queens Borough President, emphasized his diverse educational and professional background, which includes degrees in politics and law. He expressed a commitment to modernizing Queens, calling it his responsibility to “update laws so they can help us as we are today” and promising to make Queens “the world’s borough again.”
He has also been a licensed Real Estate salesperson for ‘about eight years.’ He describes himself as someone with personal experience in watching how communities operate after ‘traveling across the entire country.’
Grimes also studied Politics in school. He has an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Society. With this experience, Grimes believes that he has a responsibility to “update laws so they can help us as we are today.” His goal is to modernize Queens and make it “the world’s borough again.”
Joining the race for Queens Borough President, Henry Ikezi described himself as “the bold new leader” ready to tackle challenges in Queens. Ikezi prioritized safer streets, affordable housing, and an improved education system, warning that without fundamental changes, future generations “won’t be able to compete.”
City Council candidates also shared their platforms. Alexander Caruso, a 25-year-old substitute social studies teacher running in District 19, said his political aspirations stem from his dedication to students and future generations. Caruso noted that he has knocked on “about a thousand doors” and raised over $5,000 through the city’s matching funds program, advocating for more candidates to rely on public funding rather than large private donations.
Hatem El-Gamasy, an independent candidate for District 45 in Brooklyn, stressed his belief in avoiding a “one-party state” and called for political diversity. A former small business owner, El-Gamasy focused on the need for policies that reflect public interests rather than political agendas.
Ramses Frias, vying for the District 25 seat representing Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Woodside, highlighted pressing quality-of-life issues, including rising crime and prostitution. Frias pledged to advocate for the area’s residents, particularly its vulnerable populations, such as retirees and children.
Frias believes that residents of these neighborhoods are “frustrated, tired, and in need of somebody who can speak for them and raise their voice.” He has concerns over the safety and well-being of the area’s retirement community and children, and he insists that he will help them thrive.
Ricard Pacheco will be going up against Frias for the same position via CQRC YouTubeRicard Pacheco, another candidate for District 25, echoed Frias’s concerns while drawing on his background as a retired police officer and former Marine. Pacheco criticized congestion pricing and accused elected officials of ignoring public input. “I’m not going away,” he said, vowing to prioritize safety and public accountability.
He believes that elected officials don’t pay enough attention to the public and insists that he is ‘not going away.’ Safety on the streets and public transportation are big issues for him, and he used the recent congestion pricing ruling as an example of politicians ‘not listening.’
Supreet McGrath, running in District 29 in central Queens, described herself as “not a politician but a parent, spouse, homeowner with a day job.” Her campaign centers on reducing government overregulation and improving transparency in city spending, inspired by her personal struggles navigating red tape during home renovations.
McGrath saw this as a catalyst for wanting to change the system after also falling victim to penalties and fines for laws she didn’t even know she was breaking. She sought out help from the Council but felt like she only got ‘bureaucratic answers’ in return. McGrath has issues with congestion pricing and the ‘overregulation’ of the people of Queens and also promised to provide more transparency and efficiency in spending if elected.
Jonathan Rinaldi, running in District 30, strongly opposed Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes” plan, calling it a threat to housing affordability. Rinaldi is looking to represent the District 30 neighborhoods of Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, Elmhurst, and Rego Park. He criticized congestion pricing, which he described as a “crime,” and emphasized his support for family values, homeownership, and car ownership.
Other speakers included Jeffrey Horowitz, a 19-year-old candidate for Staten Island’s District 51, who named corruption and congestion pricing as key motivators for his campaign. John Patrick Healy is running in District 26, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Astoria, and Woodside. also condemned the “City of Yes” plan, citing its potential to raise housing costs and harm small businesses.
As of Jan. 16, 142 City Council candidates have officially filed with the NYC Campaign Finance Board. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025, when voters will have the chance to decide who will represent their communities.
