NYC Council District 26 Election: Badrun Khan Seeks LIC Seat

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — Democratic voters in New York City's 26th Council district, which includes Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Dutch Kills, and parts of Astoria, will see 15 names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election — making it one of the most crowded primary races in the city.

One of those names will be Badrun Khan, a financial manager at South Bronx Economic Development Corporation, and Community Board 2 member

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Khan's responses are below.

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

48

<b>Position Sought</b>

City Council D26

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Neighborhood of residence (i.e., East Village, Astoria, etc.)</b>

Sunnyside

<b>Family</b>

Husband and two daughters

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

no

<b>Education</b>

Bachelors of Arts from Marymount Manhattan College

<b>Occupation</b>

For the past eight years I have worked as a financial officer for non profit.

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

Community Board 2

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://www.badrunkhan.com/

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

I have been active in my community for over two decades. I've seen people struggle with food insecurity, so I got involved with local food drives. Others in the community have opened up to me about their struggle with affordable housing and healthcare. We have the power to change the lives of those around us and I want to have a positive impact in my neighborhood.

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

My my district, many parents have spoken to me about their grievances with the public school system. Right now, it is failing too many of our young people. We must fully fund special education and gifted programs. We also must make sure the teachers have all the tools they need to set our children up for success.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

I've lived in the district my entire adult life. I raised my children here. I took on the public school system when my daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia since her school was not accommodating to her needs. I won, because I know how to advocate for those in need.

<b>If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)</b>

n/a

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

NYC was the epicenter of the pandemic and noone was prepared for something so unprecedented. Medical needs were not being met. People were experiencing food insecurity. PPP loans were very hard to obtain especially if you had a language barrier. I would have opened up a division to make sure people had access to basic nutritional needs. I also would have put together a 24/7 multilingual hotline where people could call for access to mental health services or advice on how to get their rent waived.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

I am a supporter of Universal Basic Income (UBI.) $1000 every month would lift millions out of poverty. Millions of dollars into the hands of New Yorkers will stimulate the economy. Local businesses will flourish, and will be looking to hire. UBI would allow mothers and fathers to stay at home and raise their child, rather than work and pay half or more of their wages to a babysitter or daycare.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

As a member of Community Board 2, I’m familiar with our city’s broken land use system, and believe I’m in a better position to help reform it.
As the Financial Controller of the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp, my work handling complex accounting and management responsibilities along with overseeing our city, state and federal contracts has given me significant insight into the financial complexities that any council member will wrestle with.

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

Don't wait around for someone else to make a change- organize, and make the change yourself.

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

I think Ranked Choice Voting is great, and hope it becomes widely adopted!