MEET BEN
Ben grew up Douglaston, attending local schools before earning a spot at Bronx Science. His parents, Chinese/Burmese immigrants who came to Queens in search of opportunity, worked tirelessly to provide a middle-class life for their family — one that is increasingly out of reach for many today. Their values of hard work and education shaped Ben’s path, leading him to dedicate his life to service.
Inspired by the first responders on 9/11, Ben became a firefighter in 2014. Over the past four years, he has served as president of the FDNY Phoenix Society, advocating for AAPI members of the department. While working full-time as a firefighter, he earned his master’s degree at Baruch, driven by his parents' belief in education and perseverance. His experiences on the job have given him a firsthand look at the failures of city leadership — from unsafe housing conditions to inadequate mental health support.
Ben is running for City Council because conversations in City Hall don’t reflect the real concerns of the community. Families in Queens worry about rising crime, skyrocketing costs of living, and worsening public transportation, yet city leaders seem more focused on political infighting than real solutions. As a firefighter, he understands the importance of public safety and firsthand the frustration of city workers being ignored, from unfair congestion pricing to the city limiting the number of firefighters on duty despite the fact that even one more could save lives. The city’s failure to regulate dangerous e-bikes and its lack of investment in emergency services are just a few examples of how the working people of Queens are left behind. Ben will fight to change that.
Ben believes in leadership that puts people before politics. His campaign, rooted in FDNY values, is about restoring service, bravery, and honor to City Hall. He has seen how bad policies and neglect can harm communities, but he has also seen what good leadership can accomplish. He will fight to make sure Queens families have the safe, affordable, and thriving communities they deserve.