5 Questions With Upper East Side Councilmember Candidate Alina Bonsell

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Republican candidate Alina Bonsell is running for City Council in District 5, which includes Lenox Hill, Roosevelt Island, Carnegie Hill, and Yorkville in New York City's primary election on Tuesday, June 24.

Bonsell, from Yorkville, is a real estate investor and start-up founder with a business degree and more than 15 years of experience in sales, business development and marketing, primarily in the healthcare and wellness industries.

Bonsell is running unopposed in the Republican primary and will face off against the winner of the Democratic primary in November. Patch recently asked Bonsell five questions about her campaign and district. See her replies below.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article contains information about one of several candidates who have announced their campaigns for Upper East Side offices in the 2025 primary election. Patch has contacted the other candidates with the same questions and will post replies as they are received.

PATCH: Why are you running for City Council?

BONSELL: I’m running because I believe the people of this city have been abandoned by a system that serves bureaucrats, not residents. I’ve seen this firsthand through my own experience navigating New York’s broken family court system, which is overdue for serious reform. But that’s only one part of the dysfunction — whether it’s housing, mental health, or public safety, the people who play by the rules are getting squeezed the hardest. I’m running to bring transparency, accountability, and real solutions to problems that City Hall has ignored for too long.

PATCH: What sets you apart from the other candidates?

BONSELL: Even though I’m running on the Republican line, my views are moderate and pragmatic. On paper, some might assume I should be running as a Democrat — but I chose this path because I want to break the cycle of corruption and performative politics. I believe the Republican Party, at least locally, is the party of action and reform — not the party of the status quo. What also sets me apart is that I’m not just coming at this from theory or party talking points — I come from lived experience.

I immigrated from Ukraine with my family because we were Jewish and fleeing antisemitism. I was raised in a working-class household, and I know firsthand what it’s like to build a life in this city without privilege or connections. That’s why I relate to people from all backgrounds — because I’ve lived so many of their struggles. My campaign isn’t about ideology. It’s about real change for real people. I’m eager to fix what’s broken and return city government to the people it’s supposed to serve.

PATCH: List two ways you plan to make the neighborhood more affordable.

BONSELL: First, the city needs to seriously revisit how it taxes both residential and commercial property owners. These taxes are out of control and are the reason landlords pass costs onto tenants — it’s a chain reaction that makes housing and business space unaffordable. I would push for tax cuts or abatements to help repopulate empty storefronts and pass policies that protect small business owners and renters.

Second, I believe homeowners should be able to rent out their unit in ways that support their financial stability, including short-term rentals where legally permitted. While current city law limits short-term rentals to hosts who are present during the stay and registered with the city, I believe we need to reform these laws. If a building’s bylaws allow it, and the unit meets safety standards, the city should not interfere with a homeowner’s ability to list on platforms like Airbnb. This should be treated as an economic lifeline, not a criminal act.

PATCH: List two ways you plan to make the neighborhood safer.

BONSELL: I support requiring all commercial mopeds and bicyclists to be licensed and insured to ensure accountability if they cause accidents or injuries. I also believe all New York City residents should be legally allowed to carry pepper spray for personal protection — it’s the bare minimum in a city with high crime.

Most importantly, I would push for long-term care solutions for the severely mentally ill homeless population that poses a safety threat to themselves and others. We need long term care facilities with beds, food, and treatment- it’s an investment but one that would lower crime, increase safety and reduce the burden on our police.

PATCH: What’s one place in the neighborhood you frequent the most?

BONSELL: Carl Schurz Park. It’s where I go to clear my head, get some air, and reset. It’s also one of the few places in the neighborhood that offers real green space and outdoor activities — even pickleball courts. We need more spaces like that across the city.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.