Marte Reelected To Represent District 1 Over Rep. Helen Qiu

Helen Qiu has been in New York since 2008. She has a bachelor's degree from Zhongshan University, and master's and doctoral degrees from Columbia University. 

Helen is an adjunct professor at Manhattan College.

Helen ran for New York City Council in 2023 but did not win.

Aims to reduce the 16% unemployment rate in the Black community.

Supports reducing government spending, cutting taxes, and creating jobs.

- Aims to reduce the 16% unemployment rate in the Black community.
- Supports reducing government spending, cutting taxes, and creating jobs.

Economy

Supports preserving Elizabeth Street Garden as a public park.

- Supports preserving Elizabeth Street Garden as a public park.

Public Services

Supports creating pathways for renters to become homeowners, similar to the Lincoln Towers model, to reduce dependency on public housing.

Supports creating pathways for renters to become homeowners to reduce dependency on public housing.

Supports allowing New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents to convert rent payments into ownership over time.

Believes homelessness should be addressed by local communities rather than "bloated bureaucracy," citing New York City's high spending on homeless services with little success.

Opposes large-scale real estate developments in the historic Seaport District.

- Supports creating pathways for renters to become homeowners to reduce dependency on public housing.
- Supports allowing New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents to convert rent payments into ownership over time.
- Believes homelessness should be addressed by local communities rather than "bloated bureaucracy," citing New York City's high spending on homeless services with little success.
- Opposes large-scale real estate developments in the historic Seaport District.

Housing & Urban Development

Promises to end "catch and release" policies for repeat offenders committing violent crimes, targeting small businesses, and making subways unsafe.

Supports stricter bail standards for repeat and violent offenders to restore accountability and prioritize community safety.

Supports stricter bail standards for repeat and violent offenders.

Believes in focusing resources on serious crime while providing diversion programs, substance abuse treatment, and job training for first-time or low-level offenders.

Supports providing diversion programs, substance abuse treatment, and job training for first-time or low-level offenders.

Supports law enforcement, ending cashless bail, and addressing quality-of-life crimes like subway offenses.

Supports law enforcement and ending cashless bail.

Wants to end the "sanctuary city law" and work with department officials to address the "crisis at the border" to secure New York City and resolve the migrant crisis.

Supports allowing city officials to work with federal immigration officials by ending "sanctuary city laws."

Opposes the decriminalization of sex work, stating it would not address "root causes like poverty, exploitation, and human trafficking" and would make the city less safe, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Opposes the decriminalization of sex work, stating it would not address "root causes like poverty, exploitation, and human trafficking" and would make the city less safe.

Supports Penny’s Law to hold negligent dog owners accountable, criminalize fleeing after an animal attack, and enforce stricter penalties for repeat leash-law violators.

Supports criminalizing dog owners who flee after an animal attack and enforcing stricter penalties for repeat leash-law violators.

- Promises to end "catch and release" policies for repeat offenders committing violent crimes, targeting small businesses, and making subways unsafe.
- Supports stricter bail standards for repeat and violent offenders.
- Supports providing diversion programs, substance abuse treatment, and job training for first-time or low-level offenders.
- Supports law enforcement and ending cashless bail.
- Supports allowing city officials to work with federal immigration officials by ending "sanctuary city laws."
- Opposes the decriminalization of sex work, stating it would not address "root causes like poverty, exploitation, and human trafficking" and would make the city less safe.
- Supports criminalizing dog owners who flee after an animal attack and enforcing stricter penalties for repeat leash-law violators.

Public Safety

Opposes congestion pricing, which is a fee charged to vehicles entering certain areas during peak hours, as it is seen as a form of taxation on commuters and could disproportionately affect low-income individuals.

Supports Priscilla’s Law, which will require e-bikes and e-scooters to be registered with license plates, and backs the 15 mph speed limit.

Supports requiring e-bikes and e-scooters to be registered with license plates and backs the 15 mph speed limit.

- Opposes congestion pricing.
- Supports requiring e-bikes and e-scooters to be registered with license plates and backs the 15 mph speed limit.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports creating pocket parks, expanding tree cover, and developing community-designed green zones to enhance health, social cohesion, and economic vitality.

Supports creating pocket parks, expanding tree cover, and developing community-designed green zones.

- Supports creating pocket parks, expanding tree cover, and developing community-designed green zones.

Energy & the Environment

Supports affordable healthcare for all New Yorkers.

- Supports affordable healthcare for all New Yorkers.
- Opposes vaccine mandates.

Healthcare

Opposes the removal of the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test.

- Opposes the removal of the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test.

Education

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Helen Qiu

Believes in bringing "creativity and persistence" to problem-solving in housing and urban development issues.

Supports creating homeownership opportunities for tenants.

Plans to install solar panels on the top of the lean-to to provide renewable energy for the garden.

Opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students.

Helen Qiu is from China. She has a bachelor's degree from Zhongshan University, and master's and doctoral degrees from Columbia University. She lives with her 12-year-old son in Manhattan.

Helen is an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. She previously worked as an engineer and later as an engineering executive in Silicon Valley, managing multimillion-dollar projects in the semiconductor industry. She also served as the Vice President of the Community Education Council from 2021 to 2023, where she negotiated budget cuts and resolved disputes between community groups.

Helen Qiu's campaign for New York City Council Member, District 1 is her first entry into politics. She ran for the same office in 2023 but did not win.

Helen Qiu is from China. She has a bachelor’s degree from Zhongshan University, and master’s and doctoral degrees from Columbia University. She lives with her 12-year-old son in Manhattan.

Helen is an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. She previously worked as an engineer and later as an engineering executive in Silicon Valley, managing multimillion-dollar projects in the semiconductor industry. She also served as the vice president of the Community Education Council from 2021 to 2023, where she focused on budget efficiency and community advocacy.

Helen Qiu is a current member of the New York City Community Education Council, where she served as Vice President from 2021 to 2023. She ran for New York City Council Member, District 1 in 2023 but did not win.

Supports reducing government bureaucracy and fiscal discipline to combat inflation, citing Argentina's president as an example.

Opposes congestion pricing, which is a fee charged to vehicles entering certain areas during peak hours, to reduce traffic and pollution.

Opposes affordable housing project at 21 Spring St. (Elizabeth Street Garden)

Believes in allowing NYCHA residents to gradually transform rent payments into ownership, saying, "Affordable housing isn’t just about lowering the rent it’s about opening the door to ownership, security, and generational opportunity."

Believes homelessness should be addressed by local communities, not "bloated bureaucracy," citing NYC's $60,000 annual spending per homeless person as ineffective.

Wants to improve safety on subways and buses.

Candidate Name: Helen Qiu - Elizabeth Street Garden

Helen Qiu is from New York. She has a master's degree in engineering and a PhD from Columbia University. She lives with her son, David, and their five parakeets in the neighborhood.

Helen Qiu - Ballotpedia

Helen is an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. She previously worked as a pastor, teacher, engineer, and engineering manager. She worked as a senior-level engineering program manager in Silicon Valley, where she led a team across different departments to successfully complete multi-million-dollar projects. 

Helen Qiu - Candidate for NYC Council District 1 - Gertrude ...

Helen is currently Vice President of the Community Education Council. She served from 2021 to 2023. 

Running as the Republican candidate for City Council District 1.

Opposes the construction of multiple homeless shelters in Chinatown.

Supports law enforcement and plans to lobby to end cashless bail.

Believes the City can achieve both affordable housing and public green space.

Opposes COVID vaccine mandates and supports medical and religious exemptions.

As Vice President of the Community Education Council, ended spending on the Department of Education's "Mosaic Curriculum Project."

Helen Qiu is from New York. She has a master's degree in engineering and a PhD from Columbia University. She lives with her son, David, in the neighborhood. She established the Mamre Christian Church, an online gathering congregation which helped many community organizations, families and youth during times of family or personal crisis, and in need of guidance.

Helen is an engineering program manager and adjunct professor. She worked as a senior level engineering program manager in Silicon Valley, where she led a team across different departments to successfully complete multi-million-dollar projects. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at Manhattan College in the Bronx.

Helen is the former Vice President of the Community Education Council, serving from 2021 to 2023. 

Opposes funding for affordable housing projects that would replace public green spaces, such as the Elizabeth Street Garden.

As Vice President of the Community Education Council, ended the spending of $200 million in the Department of Education's "Mosaic Curriculum Project."

Supports affordable housing for seniors and single-parent families.

Supports improving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) system.

Supports beautifying streets and sponsoring neighborhood gardens.

Helen Qiu is from New York. She has a master's degree in engineering and a PhD from Columbia University. She lives with her son, David, and their five parakeets in New York.

Helen is an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. She previously worked as a senior-level engineering program manager in Silicon Valley, where she led teams across different departments to successfully complete multi-million-dollar projects. Before moving to New York in 2008, she had a successful career as an engineer and later as an engineering executive managing multimillion-dollar projects in high-tech semiconductor companies in Silicon Valley.

Helen Qiu's campaign for New York City Council Member, District 1 is her first entry into politics. She previously served as Vice President of the Community Education Council from 2021 to 2023.

Supports funding organizations that complement the NYPD in mental health care, affordable housing, and community relations.

Believes New York is facing a "crime crisis, migrant crisis, fiscal crisis, and a decline of quality of life."

Opposes affordable housing project at 21 Spring St. (Elizabeth Street Garden).

Supports the installation of solar panels to provide renewable energy.

Helen Qiu is from New York. She has a master's degree in engineering and a PhD from Columbia University. She lives with her 12-year-old son, David, and their five parakeets in the neighborhood.

Helen is an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. She previously worked as a pastor, teacher, engineer, and engineering manager. She worked as a senior-level engineering program manager in Silicon Valley, where she led a team across different departments to successfully complete multi-million-dollar projects.

Helen Qiu's campaign for New York City Council Member, District 1, is her first entry into politics. She previously served as Vice President of the Community Education Council from 2021 to 2023.

Supports small business recovery initiatives.

Opposes affordable housing project at 21 Spring St.

Opposes the construction of multiple homeless shelters in Chinatown, believing it negatively impacts the community.

Believes in closing the southern border, ending sanctuary city laws, and prioritizing legal immigration applications to address the "migrant crisis."

As of August 5, 2025, Helen Qiu did not have a website or any information online.

Helen Qiu is from New York. She has a master's degree in engineering and a PhD from Columbia University. She lives with her son, David, and their five parakeets in Manhattan. She established the Mamre Christian Church, an online gathering congregation which helped many community organizations, families and youth during times of family or personal crisis, and in need of guidance.

Helen is an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. She previously worked as a pastor, teacher, engineer, and engineering manager. She spent several years as a senior-level engineering program manager in Silicon Valley, where she led teams on successful multi-million-dollar projects.

As Vice President of the Community Education Council, worked to end the spending of $200 million in the Department of Education's "Mosaic Curriculum Project."

- City Council Members work together to enact local laws, approve the city budget, and oversee land use and zoning regulations. ​
- Council Members oversee city agencies, ensuring they effectively serve the public and address community needs. ​