Manhattan Borough President Race: Lou Puliafito Candidate Profile

NEW YORK, NY — Voters in Manhattan will see three names on their ballot for borough president when they vote in this week's general election.

One of those names will be Louis Puliafito, a doorman who lives on the Upper East Side and is running as a Republican. His opponents will be Democrat Mark Levine and Libertarian Michael Lewyn.

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

Age (as of Election Day)

64

Position Sought

Manhattan Borough President

Party Affiliation

Republican

Neighborhood of residence (i.e., East Village, Astoria, etc.)

Yorkville (UES)

Family

5 grandkids and Nana

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

AAS in Computer Science with 3.95 GPA

Occupation

32BJ Doorman etc..10 and 7 with Corporate Career with Fortune 100 Corp for 25+ in the middle starting in Mail Room

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

www.louforall.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running to improve my kids and grandkids future. For them to have a Decent Life all kids and grandkids must have a Decent Life. In NYC, the Democratic Machine which has been in control for decades has failed because a one-party town is inherently corrupt and there is no accountability. The inequities increased on their watch and were being overlooked until the pandemic and George Floyd. Now they can re-imagine the city. How can you trust them?

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

Public Safety. We need safe neighborhoods and common sense criminal justice reforms. The Democratic reforms put the cart before the horse. Right now, we are reaping what the democrats have sown. We need to invest in underserved neighborhoods so we dont breed criminals but provide hope and a Decent Life for all. From my corporate career, a successful dept like the NYPD gets asked to do more then their core competencies which brings down the successful dept. We need to get back to the core competencies of the NYPD and the other responsibilities should be transferred, outsourced, or terminated. in fact, the entire city government could use a reorganization.

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

I am a Native Everyday New Yorker. They are not. Also, I am a member of a multi-generational family. Three days a week I care for my grandkids and the other days I assist my wife with caring for Nana who lives with us. Then throw in my full-time overnight doorman job.I have experienced the joys and problems from newborn to the elderly. I understand the concerns of Everyday New Yorkers concerning housing healthcare education retirement food insecurity and income. My opponents do not. I am a maverick willing to take on the powerbrokers that control the city and political parties. My opponent has done just enough because he wants to be reelected.

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

My opponent has done just enough. He goes after the low hanging fruit. He is unwilling to upset the applecart. As City Council Chair on Health, he failed to see the inequities in Health until it stared him in the face. He didn't call out the City Council for not being more involved with COVID-19. I believe they didn't have a meeting for months on the pandemic. Also late to the party as all career politicians for racial and social justice. He has not called out the Developers and City Planning Commission. He did pass a law to provide free lawyers for people getting evicted but people especially long term residents are still being displaced. He is not a fighter to bring the spotlight on the concerns of Everyday New Yorkers.

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

They should have done a better job on preparing the public on the shutdowns and how science follows the data and changes according to the data. They should have done a better job conveying the message of Public Health and what it means. I do not agree with paying city workers $500 now for vaccination unless they give the money to all city workers that got the vaccination.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Nurturing People, Families, and Main Street. Housing is the hub for stability and resolving the homeless crisis. People and families should not spend most of their income on housing renting or owning. People need a livable wage and healthcare and great schools for their children. When more people have more money in their pockets, we create a thriving economy. We need to invest in underserved neighborhoods and insure all city services are distributed equitably. We need to assist small businesses and not corporations. Small businesses keep the money in the neighborhood and they provide better service. I don't agree with open restaurants in residential neighborhoods especially side streets because they are a nuisance to the pedestrians and disabled. Plus, the quality of life has gone down for people who live around these restaurants because of the music and noise.

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

My best accomplishment is that I am considered one of the nicest guys in the neighborhood even by the Democrats. I speak from the heart and empathize with my neighbors. Coming from Corporate America, I have the management skills to make tough decisions and run a public office efficiently. I had to make real time decisions that had a company-wide effect. I am also the producer and host of the public access tv show called Decent Life which is on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network. I am a shop steward for my union SEIU 32BJ.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

We are here to serve others and not oneself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

To change our society we have to learn how to Love Thy Neighbor louforall.com/policy
My values are truth, integrity, and empathy. I believe that diverse opinions create doable solutions
The Republican Party has to return to the values of Abraham Lincoln.