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Crystal earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Spelman College and a master’s degree in sports management from George Washington University. She was born and raised in Brooklyn and lives there today with her wife and daughter.

Crystal previously worked as chief of operations to the majority leader of the city council, first deputy public advocate of community engagement, and co-director of the community outreach unit at the New York City Council. She also worked in marketing and advertising for Amtrak, the Washington Wizards, and the Washington Mystics.

Crystal Hudson - Ballotpedia

Crystal Hudson currently serves as the city council member for New York City Council District 35. She was first elected in 2021 and is serving her second term.

Supports streamlining workforce development to enhance access for small businesses and workers, and to facilitate organized labor coordination.

Supports reclassifying gig workers as employees to ensure they receive an hourly minimum wage, paid sick leave, and union support.

As a city council member, announced a $500,000 initiative to increase LGBTQIA+ representation in unionized positions through recruitment and job preparation funding.

- Supports streamlining workforce development to enhance access for small businesses and workers, and to facilitate organized labor coordination.
- Supports reclassifying gig workers as employees to ensure they receive an hourly minimum wage, paid sick leave, and union support.
- As a city council member, announced a $500,000 initiative to increase LGBTQIA+ representation in unionized positions through recruitment and job preparation funding.

Economy

Supports city funding for community land trusts and worker cooperatives in Black neighborhoods to prevent displacement and reduce economic inequality.

- Supports city funding for community land trusts and worker cooperatives in Black neighborhoods to prevent displacement and reduce economic inequality.

Public Services

Supports expanding school-based health centers and comprehensive sex education.

Supports permanently ending gifted and talented (G&T) programs.

Supports building a universal childcare system in New York City and expanding Head Start benefits.

Supports removing School Safety Agents and decriminalizing learning environments by eliminating zero tolerance policies and metal detectors in schools.

Supports expanding the NYC Kids RISE Save for College program, which gives every kindergarten student an initial $100 in a state 529 account, to more Black neighborhoods.

- Supports expanding school-based health centers and comprehensive sex education.
- Supports permanently ending gifted and talented (G&T) programs.
- Supports building a universal childcare system in New York City and expanding Head Start benefits.
- Supports removing School Safety Agents and decriminalizing learning environments by eliminating zero tolerance policies and metal detectors in schools.
- Supports expanding the NYC Kids RISE Save for College program, which gives every kindergarten student an initial $100 in a state 529 account, to more Black neighborhoods.

Education

Supports growing the social housing sector to create affordable housing, promote social equity, and give residents democratic control over housing.

Supports the recently passed bill that requires rental buildings with more than 40 units to set aside at least 15% for people experiencing homelessness, and advocates for ensuring developers comply with the law and its intent.

Supports transforming the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) to prioritize community-driven land use and zoning over private developers.

Believes the "overwhelming cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing options" and supports a housing voucher program for LGBTQ youth.

Supports requiring racial impact and equity statements for all proposed land use decisions to understand how changes affect communities, especially Black-owned small businesses and local demographics.

- Supports growing the social housing sector to create affordable housing, promote social equity, and give residents democratic control over housing.
- Supports the recently passed bill that requires rental buildings with more than 40 units to set aside at least 15% for people experiencing homelessness, and advocates for ensuring developers comply with the law and its intent.
- Supports transforming the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) to prioritize community-driven land use and zoning over private developers.
- Believes the "overwhelming cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing options" and supports a housing voucher program for LGBTQ youth.
- Supports requiring racial impact and equity statements for all proposed land use decisions to understand how changes affect communities, especially Black-owned small businesses and local demographics.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports reducing the NYPD budget by at least $1 billion and reallocating funds to community services.

Supports shifting traffic enforcement out of the NYPD to reduce violence during routine stops.

Supports the largest gun buyback program in New York City, with larger rewards for frequently used crime guns and a targeted advertising campaign.

- Supports reducing the NYPD budget by at least $1 billion and reallocating funds to community services.
- Supports shifting traffic enforcement out of the NYPD to reduce violence during routine stops.
- Supports the largest gun buyback program in New York City, with larger rewards for frequently used crime guns and a targeted advertising campaign.

Public Safety

Supports accelerating the redesign of New York City Transit buses and expanding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plans to improve public transit for Black commuters.

Supports expanding Black-owned dollar-van services and providing them with technology infrastructure to improve access to transportation for communities in "transit deserts."

- Supports accelerating the redesign of New York City Transit buses and expanding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plans to improve public transit for Black commuters.
- Supports expanding Black-owned dollar-van services and providing them with technology infrastructure to improve access to transportation for communities in "transit deserts."

Transportation & Infrastructure

Healthcare

Supports infrastructure improvements like raised parkland, floodwalls, and floodgates in coastal and low-lying areas to reduce flooding.

Supports reducing building emissions in New York City by implementing deep energy retrofits for public housing and city-owned buildings, financing retrofits for privately owned buildings, and expanding energy efficiency standards for all residential and commercial buildings.

Supports creating new parks and planting trees in Black neighborhoods to reduce heat island effects and improve air quality.

Supports investing in local clean energy and replacing polluting peaker plants with cleaner alternatives like community solar.

- Supports infrastructure improvements like raised parkland, floodwalls, and floodgates in coastal and low-lying areas to reduce flooding.
- Supports reducing building emissions in New York City by implementing deep energy retrofits for public housing and city-owned buildings, financing retrofits for privately owned buildings, and expanding energy efficiency standards for all residential and commercial buildings.
- Supports creating new parks and planting trees in Black neighborhoods to reduce heat island effects and improve air quality.
- Supports investing in local clean energy and replacing polluting peaker plants with cleaner alternatives like community solar.

Energy & the Environment

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Crystal Hudson

Dion is originally from Brooklyn, New York. He earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from New York City Technical College and a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from Pace University. He lives in Crown Heights.

Dion currently runs Our Gang Productions of NY, a communications company he founded. He previously worked as athletic director at two juvenile detention centers, youth coordinator for Brooklyn Community Board 9, and volunteer counselor for the Crown Heights Youth Collective.

Dion Ashman - Ballotpedia

Dion Ashman’s campaign for New York City Council is his first run for public office.

As a City Council member, Dion will champion legislation to create an Equitable Procurement and Contracting Framework that guarantees fair access to government contracts for all businesses, with a focus on minority- and women-owned firms. This initiative will break down long-standing barriers and foster inclusive participation in our city’s economic opportunities. He will also advocate for bi-annual Disparity Studies to monitor contracting practices and uncover any exclusionary trends. Cities like Boston have successfully boosted minority participation through similar efforts—it's time for New York City to follow suit and build a fairer, more inclusive procurement process.

Plans to introduce legislation to create an Equitable Procurement and Contracting Framework that guarantees fair access to government contracts for all businesses, with a focus on minority- and women-owned firms.

- Plans to introduce legislation to create an Equitable Procurement and Contracting Framework that guarantees fair access to government contracts for all businesses, with a focus on minority- and women-owned firms.

Opposes developments that harm natural greenery, such as the proposed skateboard complex in Mount Prospect Park.

- Opposes developments that harm natural greenery, such as the proposed skateboard complex in Mount Prospect Park.

Plans to address New York City's childcare crisis by advocating for affordable, high-quality childcare solutions.

- Plans to address New York City's childcare crisis by advocating for affordable, high-quality childcare solutions.

Proposes legislation to establish a housing linkage policy in New York City, which will charge developers for new market-rate construction, with the funds being used to support affordable housing.

Plans to introduce legislation establishing a framework for Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in New York City, empowering residents and community groups to negotiate with developers for affordable housing, local hiring, and living wages.

- Proposes legislation to establish a housing linkage policy in New York City, which will charge developers for new market-rate construction, with the funds being used to support affordable housing.
- Plans to introduce legislation establishing a framework for Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in New York City, empowering residents and community groups to negotiate with developers for affordable housing, local hiring, and living wages.

As of June 7, 2025, Dion Ashman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to modify the Open Streets program to better reflect community needs.

- Plans to modify the Open Streets program to better reflect community needs.

Supports legislation to address racial health disparities in New York City, including hospital equity reporting, environmental justice mandates, and nonprofit hospital accountability.

- Supports legislation to address racial health disparities in New York City, including hospital equity reporting, environmental justice mandates, and nonprofit hospital accountability.

Supports environmental justice mandates to assess and mitigate health impacts on affected communities.

- Supports environmental justice mandates to assess and mitigate health impacts on affected communities.

Dion Ashman

Hector earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Panama. He is originally from Crown Heights, where he lives today with his wife.

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Hector currently works as associate director of clinical data management at Lantheus Medical Imaging. He previously worked in similar roles at Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Siemens Healthcare, Clinical Research Management, Pharm-Olam International, Forest Laboratories, Roche, and Pfizer.

Hector Robertson - Ballotpedia

Hector Robertson previously ran for City Council in NYC District 35 in 2021 but did not win.

Supports using city resources to assist small local businesses, including new businesses, in the district.

Aims to help small businesses navigate complex city regulations to eliminate burdensome fines.

- Supports using city resources to assist small local businesses, including new businesses, in the district.
- Aims to help small businesses navigate complex city regulations to eliminate burdensome fines.

Plans to work with the state to secure over $78 billion for modernizing and ensuring the sustainability of New York City's public housing.

Supports expediting the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) repair process by assigning highly skilled tradespeople and establishing Neighborhood Planning Units for residents to schedule repairs.

Aims to help district residents access agencies that offer programs to improve well-being and assist with disabilities.

Plans to ensure all elders receive adequate food and nutrition assistance, especially in diverse population areas.

Plans to organize volunteers for community cleanup initiatives.

Supports creating and protecting district green spaces by preserving parks and public green spaces.

- Plans to work with the state to secure over $78 billion for modernizing and ensuring the sustainability of New York City's public housing.
- Supports expediting the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) repair process by assigning highly skilled tradespeople and establishing Neighborhood Planning Units for residents to schedule repairs.
- Aims to help district residents access agencies that offer programs to improve well-being and assist with disabilities.
- Plans to ensure all elders receive adequate food and nutrition assistance, especially in diverse population areas.
- Plans to organize volunteers for community cleanup initiatives.
- Supports creating and protecting district green spaces by preserving parks and public green spaces.

Supports investing in after-school programs, summer learning programs, and online learning.

Supports putting a pause on the establishment of new charter schools.

Wants to increase the number of specialized schools in Brooklyn and address inequities in the admission system.

- Supports investing in after-school programs, summer learning programs, and online learning.
- Supports putting a pause on the establishment of new charter schools.
- Wants to increase the number of specialized schools in Brooklyn and address inequities in the admission system.

Supports creating "truly permanent low-income dignified housing" for working-class New Yorkers, with a focus on homeless single mothers and households, including working New Yorkers living in city shelters.

Supports re-examining the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) to ensure community transparency, empower community boards, reduce mayoral influence, and demand racial impact studies on district developments.

Plans to continue advocating with New York State representatives to address growing concerns of deed theft and improper use of Third Party Transfer (TPT) in housing.

Plans to determine the validity of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) evictions by Permanent Affordability Commitment (PACT), private managers, and the failure to implement standard operating procedures.

Plans to work with the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) and the state Division of Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) to prevent Mitchell-Lama housing from privatizing.

Supports reforming and strengthening city and state rent regulations to ensure tenants can remain in their homes.

Supports enacting legislation to protect families living in public housing from eviction due to crimes committed by visitors.

Supports reforming the Rent Guideline Board, believing it has contributed to homelessness in the city.

- Supports creating "truly permanent low-income dignified housing" for working-class New Yorkers, with a focus on homeless single mothers and households, including working New Yorkers living in city shelters.
- Supports re-examining the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) to ensure community transparency, empower community boards, reduce mayoral influence, and demand racial impact studies on district developments.
- Plans to continue advocating with New York State representatives to address growing concerns of deed theft and improper use of Third Party Transfer (TPT) in housing.
- Plans to determine the validity of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) evictions by Permanent Affordability Commitment (PACT), private managers, and the failure to implement standard operating procedures.
- Plans to work with the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) and the state Division of Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) to prevent Mitchell-Lama housing from privatizing.
- Supports reforming and strengthening city and state rent regulations to ensure tenants can remain in their homes.
- Supports enacting legislation to protect families living in public housing from eviction due to crimes committed by visitors.
- Supports reforming the Rent Guideline Board, believing it has contributed to homelessness in the city.

Supports the Treatment Not Jail Act, which advocates for diverting individuals with mental health disorders away from the criminal justice system.

Supports ending the practice of police responding to people experiencing homelessness.

- Supports the Treatment Not Jail Act, which advocates for diverting individuals with mental health disorders away from the criminal justice system.
- Supports ending the practice of police responding to people experiencing homelessness.

Plans to legislate accessibility in public transportation, commercial and apartment buildings, schools, and cultural institutions.

- Plans to legislate accessibility in public transportation, commercial and apartment buildings, schools, and cultural institutions.

Supports universal healthcare access for all New Yorkers, including mental health and gender-affirming care.

- Supports universal healthcare access for all New Yorkers, including mental health and gender-affirming care.

Supports expanding composting of food scraps and yard waste to apartment buildings in the district.

Plans to organize volunteers to help clean up communities and the district.

- Supports expanding composting of food scraps and yard waste to apartment buildings in the district.
- Plans to organize volunteers to help clean up communities and the district.

Hector Robertson

As of May 9, 2025, Kenny Lever did not have a website or any information online.

Kenny Lever - Ballotpedia

Kenny Lever's run for City Council in NYC District 35 is his first campaign for public office.

As of June 7, 2025, Kenny Lever did not have a website or any information online.

Kenny Lever

- 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. ​

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New York City City Council Member, District 35, Democratic Primary

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