Meet the Candidate: Jaslin Kaur for CD23

By Jami Price

Jaslin Kaur is a socialist and community organizer. Born and raised in Eastern Queens, she is running for city council to fight for her community. Jaslin was inspired to run when she experienced first-hand the effects of poor city management and neglect for working class New Yorkers. Her father, a longtime yellow taxi cab driver, was hit hard by the 2014 taxi medallion market crash leaving her family on food stamps and with massive debt that still affects them to this day. Jaslin knows that her story is not unique, and that many Queens families face issues of housing, food, and job insecurity. She is running for city council to defend her neighbors and build the Queens we deserve.

Some of Jaslin’s most exciting proposals include:

• Addressing the transit desert in her district by expanding bus rapid transit options; securing free transfers between buses, subways, and trains; and creating protected bike lanes throughout the district.
• Defunding the NYPD, investing in survivor-centered restorative justice programs, and providing job training programs to former police officers to help them transition into nonviolent occupations.
• Fully funding K-12 schools to decrease overcrowding and championing the New Deal for CUNY to provide tuition-free 2- and 4-year degrees to all who want them.
• Supporting fair property taxes and rights for renters to ensure longtime residents of District 23 are not priced out of their homes and communities.

District 23 includes parts of Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, and New Hyde Park in Queens. Parts of the district are susceptible to sea level rise and flooding, and air pollution is a consistent issue because of in-district highways and traffic congestion. District 23 is also a transit desert; there are no subway options and bus service is irregular and outdated. Jaslin is committed to improving public transportation and making District 23 safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. Rapid, reliable bus service, open streets, and green spaces will be priorities for Jaslin while in office. This is a stark contrast with the car culture that currently dominates District 23.

A natural leader, Jaslin organizes with Know Your IX to train students on how to make their campuses safer for survivors of assault, abuse, and gender discrimination. She also works with New American Leaders to support immigrants and refugees seeking public office. The daughter of Sikh Punjabi immigrants, if elected, Jaslin would be the first woman and the first person of color to represent District 23 on the city council.

Jaslin is leading a grassroots campaign, activating voters who have been disenfranchised by politically apathetic representatives in the past. She hopes to mobilize her neighbors towards a socialist movement rooted in dignity, safety, and respect for the working class. She has the endorsement of Sunrise NYC, DSA, WFP, NYCC, and countless other organizations and individuals who are working hard to elect her. As the daughter of a proud union member, Jaslin is particularly honored to be able to say that she has the most union endorsements of any candidate running in this race. With a strong coalition behind her, Jaslin is well on her way to making her vision of a safe, resilient, and prosperous Queens a reality in District 23.

Check out more details on Jaslin’s platform and then join the campaign at a canvassing or phonebanking shift!