Forest Hills 28th District Assembly Race 2022: Ethan Felder Profile

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Democratic voters in Assembly District 28, which covers most of Forest Hills and parts of Middle Village, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, and Glendale, will see two names on their ballots when they vote in the June 28 State Assembly primary election.

One of those names will be Ethan Felder, a labor lawyer who is challenging incumbent Andrew Hevesi.

Felder, though, is no stranger to challenging incumbents, having mounted a successful campaign against then-incumbent Michael Cohen for Forest Hills district leader in 2020.

Early voting runs from June 18-26. (Find your polling sites here.)

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles, asking for their positions on issues like affordable housing and public safety, and giving them the chance to describe their records in detail. Felder's responses are below.

Name

Ethan Felder

Campaign website

https://ethanforassembly.com

NYC neighborhood of residence

Forest Hills

Office sought

State Assembly

District, if applicable

28th Assembly District

Party affiliation

Democratic Party

Education

JD/MBA Washington University in Saint Louis

Occupation

Labor Lawyer on behalf of working families for 6 years

Family

Kenneth and Susanne Felder, Father and Mother

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

34

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Elected Democratic Party District Leader June 2020 - present

Why are you seeking this office?

As a citizen I felt obliged to run in a moment of peril for our democracy. I believe we need inclusive democracy rather than entrenched dynastic machine politics.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Public safety. My constituents are concerned about rising violence on our streets, subway and in our schools. I intend to advocate for sensible reform that holds criminals accountable and addresses the social conditions that lead to crime.

How would you address ongoing concerns about public safety in New York City?

We need to make sensible reforms that give judges discretion to keep dangerous offenders detained before trial. We must address the mental health crisis by increasing access to counseling and strengthening Kendra's Law.

Do you think the NYPD's response to the recent surge in crime will affect efforts at police reform and, if so, how?

We have to support effective policing that partners with our community and its people. We must deepen trust between police and community.

What is one policy you would support to make housing more affordable in New York City?

Raise the minimum wage to help families pay the rent.

Should officials do more to encourage New Yorkers to return to work in person? If so, how? If not, why not?

We need to encourage hybrid work arrangements. This has worked for families and it should become the new norm.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I don't come from a political family. My public engagement is rooted in bringing communities that traditionally have not had a seat at the table together and fighting for everyday people.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Supporting policies that make our streets and schools less safe like wanting to remove school safety agents protecting our children.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Workers rights, reducing the role of dark money and corruption in our government, and engaging our youth in local democracy.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Successfully representing the Lefrak City Tenants in a voting rights case that exposed and defeated voter suppression involving the Queens Democratic Party organization and the Board of Elections.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Keep the faith.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I wouldn't be able to do this without the incredible support of a former Townsend Harris High School teacher Franco Scardino. It's the spirit of service and leaving my city no less but greater than I found it that guides me forward.