In Queens' Competitive Council Race, Paladino's Brashness Gets Tested
A perennial Republican firebrand faces a formidable test of her unwavering stance as she seeks re-election in Queens. Councilmember Vickie Paladino, 70, a pro-Trump stalwart in a swing district, is facing off against a moderate Democrat, Benjamin Chou, 34, who is running on a platform that promises community-focused solutions.
Paladino's unapologetic conservative views have garnered both praise and criticism from voters. Some see her as an outspoken champion of their values, while others view her as divisive and out of touch with the diverse population she represents. Her social media posts, which often take a hardline stance on issues like immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, have sparked controversy in the past.
Chou, meanwhile, has run a more measured campaign, promising to bring people together through dialogue and compromise. His platform focuses on investments in public safety, education, and community infrastructure – a marked departure from Paladino's emphasis on law enforcement and conservative values.
The stakes are high for both candidates, with the outcome of this election serving as a barometer for the resilience of the MAGA movement in Queens, a traditionally Democratic bastion. If Paladino loses, it would mark a significant shift in the district's politics – one that could have implications for Republican success in other swing districts across the city.
Paladino's record in office has been marked by controversy, including calls to deport Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and encouragement of anti-congestion pricing protests. She was also kicked off a committee focused on mental health and disabilities after making inflammatory comments about Drag Story Hour.
Despite her critics' concerns, Paladino remains popular among some in the community who see her as a steadfast defender of their values. Thomas Paladino, the councilmember's son and campaign director, argues that her constituents appreciate her willingness to take tough stances on issues they care deeply about – even if those views are not shared by others.
For Chou, the election is an opportunity to build bridges and bring people together around a vision for Queens' future. His message of unity and cooperation has resonated with some voters, who see him as a breath of fresh air in a district that has traditionally been dominated by Republican politics.
A perennial Republican firebrand faces a formidable test of her unwavering stance as she seeks re-election in Queens. Councilmember Vickie Paladino, 70, a pro-Trump stalwart in a swing district, is facing off against a moderate Democrat, Benjamin Chou, 34, who is running on a platform that promises community-focused solutions.
Paladino's unapologetic conservative views have garnered both praise and criticism from voters. Some see her as an outspoken champion of their values, while others view her as divisive and out of touch with the diverse population she represents. Her social media posts, which often take a hardline stance on issues like immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, have sparked controversy in the past.
Chou, meanwhile, has run a more measured campaign, promising to bring people together through dialogue and compromise. His platform focuses on investments in public safety, education, and community infrastructure – a marked departure from Paladino's emphasis on law enforcement and conservative values.
The stakes are high for both candidates, with the outcome of this election serving as a barometer for the resilience of the MAGA movement in Queens, a traditionally Democratic bastion. If Paladino loses, it would mark a significant shift in the district's politics – one that could have implications for Republican success in other swing districts across the city.
Paladino's record in office has been marked by controversy, including calls to deport Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and encouragement of anti-congestion pricing protests. She was also kicked off a committee focused on mental health and disabilities after making inflammatory comments about Drag Story Hour.
Despite her critics' concerns, Paladino remains popular among some in the community who see her as a steadfast defender of their values. Thomas Paladino, the councilmember's son and campaign director, argues that her constituents appreciate her willingness to take tough stances on issues they care deeply about – even if those views are not shared by others.
For Chou, the election is an opportunity to build bridges and bring people together around a vision for Queens' future. His message of unity and cooperation has resonated with some voters, who see him as a breath of fresh air in a district that has traditionally been dominated by Republican politics.
i mean she's def got her fans but also super polarizing rn like ppl love her conviction but others find her brashness 2 much lol i feel bad for benjamin chou tho, he seems so chill & genuinely wants to bring people together 
i dont no about qns btw is it even a swing district? 
i just wish they'd focus on the issues more instead of personal attacks 
The fact that Paladino's unapologetic views are still popular among some in the community says more about their own values than it does about her effectiveness as an elected official. Like, if you're gonna be outspoken, can't you at least have a nuanced take on things? 
. Chou's all talk and no action, he's gonna promise the world but can't deliver 
. I mean, who needs a moderate candidate when u got someone who's actually passionate about what they believe in? 
Paladino's been in office for years and ppl still love her, she's not some newbie trying to steal the show 
. Chou's just gonna be another faceless politician who doesn't have the guts to take a stand 
. Give me the real deal any day 
. His message of unity and community-focused solutions is just what this district needs right now. We need someone who's gonna work with people, not divide them 
. And let's be real, Paladino's record in office has been pretty rocky 
... gotta wonder if she's more of a liability than an asset for her party 
her son Tommy is doin a great job runnin the campaign tho, keeps it real 
ben Chou on the other hand is tryna be all peaceluv and community-focused, which sounds nice but idk if ppl r actually ready 4 dat kinda vibe 
. As a parent, it's hard for me to see her views on social issues being presented as mainstream when they seem so divisive and hurtful 
. My kids would be devastated if someone with such extreme views became influential in our community 
. On the other hand, I do think Chou's approach is more inclusive and might actually make a difference in bringing people together 
.
. I get why some people might appreciate her unwavering stance, but at the same time, it's scary to think about how divisive that can be, especially when it comes to issues like immigration and LGBTQ+ rights 
. And I love how he's running a more measured campaign, focusing on building bridges rather than tearing them down 
.
.
its like paladino's all about bein strict & takin no prisoners but i feel like dat's not gonna fly wiv the community...i mean, she's got some ppl on her side but there r also alot of voters who think she's outta touch 
I gotta say, this election is gonna be super interesting to watch! The contrast between Paladino's hardline stance and Chou's more measured approach is really revealing about the values people want for their community. 
And Paladino's defenders saying she's a "steadfast defender" of her constituents' values makes me wonder if they're being a bit too generous with their definition of "diversity". 
. I think Chou's approach is more sensible, but we'll see if that resonates with voters in Queens. One thing for sure, this district has gone through some major changes in recent years and Paladino's gotta be ready to adapt 
. As a voter, it's great to have candidates who aren't afraid to take a stand on issues they care about, but also know how to work with others to get things done 
.
.