Primary Day is June 23 and there’s a ton on the ballot, including our US Rep seat, state senate and assembly seat and state comptroller. Follow along to see mini profiles of each of the candidates. This is Ben Lee for Assembly District 66; his TCQ&A, the politics version, is below. Deborah Glick held the seat for the past 36 years.

Ben Yee still remembers (he’s 42) his two studies from 5th grade at PS 234: birds (he went with the hummingbird) and Egyptian mythology. His parents had moved from Brooklyn that year to Chelsea and secured a waiver for 234. He was there for two years before heading up to East Side Middle and then Bronx Science.

He would go on to attend University of Michigan, getting a degree in political science and economics (his thesis was on national healthcare), and immediately after graduation in 2006 started working for the Transit Workers Local 100 as researcher. But it was what he was doing with his free time that would launch his career in politics. He had a YouTube channel (this is pre-TikTok) where he would interview city street performers. His mother thought his time would be better spent using those skills on the Obama campaign.

“Remember, Obama was the first to really embrace social media,” Ben said. This was 2007, and it’s almost impossible to imagine. “Howard Dean [who ran in the 2004 cycle] was on the bleeding edge of what the internet would become in politics. Four years later, Obama recruited a chief information officer.” After volunteering in his free time, Ben was hired to be the digital director for Obama’s New York State operations.

And that led to a job in 2009 he saw as the cross between technology and politics: creating tools for open legislation at the New York State Senate. “Before that there was no way to look up laws online as a member of the public,” Ben said. He helped create portals that published state payrolls and allowed senators to communicate with each other through email — something that did not exist before. “I believe in government. But I also believe that these bodies must be responsive to the public and fully transparent.”

For the past eight years he’s been holding regular seminars on good government, civics and a class he calls Organizing 101. And he’s also been a member of the Democratic State Committee, an elected position that manages party platforms, bylaws and statewide campaigns. His work there allowed him to see other parts of the state and to get to know districts other than his own. (He quit his day job this winter to run for the election.)

“We need to be able to bridge upstate and downstate to be effective as a state,” he said. “We can’t just fight against each other. The same goes for the district. We can’t just think about one plot of land but what we need across the district — a comprehensive development plan. That’s not what we do in this city but we have to to get things done.”

To the questionnaire:

How long have you lived in the district?
I’ve lived in the district since 1994 when my family moved from Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.

Married? Partnered?
Single at the moment; I recently got out of a long-term relationship.

Kids? Pets?
No kids and no pets right now, though I had a dog for many years. I am an uncle, though, and godparent to a delightful, recently turned 13-year old boy.

Where do you live?
I live on 4th Street and 6th Avenue, right across from the Washington Square Diner.

What do you do for a living?
I’ve worked in tech for the last 15 years, mainly social impact-oriented startups. For the last six years, and through the pandemic, I was at an education technology startup which built remote teaching and AI tools. In particular, I spent three years traveling internationally and across the US working with governments, states and private providers on how to navigate remote and AI technologies in teaching.

What are the first three issues you will tackle if you win the election?

1. Housing affordability. A large, complex issue, housing affordability needs to be tackled across a number of legislative aspects. Some important policies that will correct distortions in the housing market — like a pied-a-terre tax — are currently in the legislature. I will sign on, champion, and work to educate our communities on the importance and impact of these policies. Others, like regional transportation planning and expanding bus rapid transit to low-density areas in outer-boroughs/the metro area, are currently ignored. For those issues, I will work with partners I’ve cultivated through a decade in statewide organizing to craft win-win legislation across upstate and downstate to move our government toward action.

2. Quality of Life. Quality of life is something of a catch-all, but there are two interrelated QoL aspects that are absolutely critical to our district: safety and healthcare. One of the biggest issues facing NYC generally is the lack of access to mental and behavioral health resources. While crime hovers at historic lows, the feeling of unease amongst residents downtown is real. A large part of this is visible homelessness and people struggling with mental health or addiction. This has led to calls for ever more draconian policies like more police and more involuntary confinement for people just trying to survive. For the violent crime that does exist, there are incredibly simple, effective, and cheap ways to reduce it far more than 100, 1,000, or 1,000,000 more police ever could. In order to make our streets safer and improve the lives of those in need of support, I will fight for new universal healthcare programs — including mental health and addiction services — as well as proven educational programs in consent and social-cognitive skills which have been shown to reduce crimes by up to 40%.

3. Strengthening our democracy. We need concrete laws that will use NYS resources to protect polling locations, and stop Federal agents from intimidating voters or taking control of ballot boxes. I have already worked with allies in the legislature to help create legislation that would protect poll sites from Federal agents. In the Assembly I will introduce laws to expand protections in our communities using state resources. I will also fight to reintroduce civics in the classroom. Not only are these necessary measures to reinforce our democracy and civil society, but I believe the political will exists to accomplish them in a first term.

Who is the first person you will hire – or rather what is the first staff position you will fill?
Chief of Staff. A good chief of staff is a foundational partner that makes an office work. From additional hiring to ensuring constituent needs are met effectively, the Chief of Staff impacts every aspect of the office. Selecting someone who is experienced, knows how to deliver, understands government, is a capable manager and supports a good culture will make or break an office.

What are the three most important issues for New Yorkers right now?
If we’re speaking about New Yorkers broadly across the State:

1. Affordability. As a member of the State Committee and the only Downstate member to regularly attend the Democratic Rural Conference, I know first hand that the affordability crisis impacting us in the city is equally imperative for those living outside the city.

2. Healthcare. Across the state people are struggling to access healthcare. Whether it’s insurance that’s out of reach because of skyrocketing premiums, cuts to Federal programs or hospital closures, New Yorkers in every corner of the State are losing the ability to receive high-quality, timely care.

3. Protecting our civil rights and democracy. ICE has been deployed around NY State, not just in NYC but in rural communities where immigrants make up an important component of the agricultural and industrial workers that keep our State running. Aside from immigrants, ICE has also been found to be improperly arresting American citizens and Trump has openly expressed desire to deploy ICE and other Federal forces to large American cities while some of his allies have suggested using ICE during the midterms to effectively intimidate voters. State government is unique in its role in administering elections and its power to push back against Federal overreach. The next two years it will be absolutely critical for the State to be forward thinking about how it ensures that NY State remains economically and politically secure as Trump enters the final years of his term.

Why are you running for office? What do you hope to change, or do better?
For the first time in 35 years our district has the opportunity to decide how it wants to use this Assembly seat to guide our government and our democracy. Some might say that this is a safe blue seat in Lower Manhattan. Or that a local assembly race can’t really impact the big picture. That is a short-sighted perspective. Every single elected official is critical at this moment in our history. Trump and the MAGA Republicans are a symptom of a deeper problem, the loss of faith in our democratic system and its ability to deliver for regular people. We are under siege by an unaffordability crisis, mega corporations seeking to extract every cent from working people, and big tech that’s seeking to replace us in the economy entirely.
To meet these challenges, we need leaders.

Our most effective leaders — people like Barack Obama, AOC, Zohran Mamdani — are those who have big ideas, big policies, on how to change lives for the better. And, focus equally on the importance of engaging and empowering people to inspire hope through the promise of direct participation.

I got my start on the Obama campaign in 2008, as Digital Director for New York State, doing grassroots organizing online. From there, I went to the NY State Senate, using tech to improve the transparency and accessibility of State government — helping to turn what was ranked the single most corrupt legislative body in the country into one that was winning awards for transparency and openness.

When Donald Trump was elected the first time, I started a nonprofit to demystify politics and government, giving people the tools they needed to create change. I spoke to over 8,000 people personally, and hundreds of them became leaders in their own communities. Presidents of clubs, activists, even AOC came through a workshop.

For the last five years I’ve worked in education technology, working around this country and the world on the impact of remote learning and AI. We closed learning gaps and gave teachers a lifeline, but I’ve also had a first row seat to a dark culture in Silicon Valley that’s been bred by people like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk.

And, for the last eight years, I’ve been representing our community in Albany to Democratic Party leadership, passing more reforms than any other State Committee member through the same leadership you’ll find in the legislature. I’ve done this by building strong coalitions across the state, and trust with leaders who will allow me to start making a difference on day 1 in the Assembly.

I still believe in hope and change, because that’s the story of my family.

My father‘s family came here from China. My mother‘s family were Jews who survived the holocaust; she was born a refugee in Poland. Both of these families came here looking for a better life, and they found it.

But they also faced challenges. An interracial couple, they got married just 10 years after the Supreme Court said that interracial marriage is a civil right. They fought for those civil rights, and the civil rights of others, and protested unjust wars. I learned early that everybody has a place in our country and our democracy, but we have to fight for that fundamental truth.

And that’s the problem today, the dark threads of our history — racism, sexism, bigotry, predation, corruption — are at the center of our politics and government. And must fight that with everything that we have. That’s why I got involved in politics 20 years ago. And in the face of the unraveling of our democratic society, that’s why I’m running for this seat: to bring all of my knowledge, my skills, my abilities — all of who I am — to fight to make this district, this city, this state a sanctuary for our values, our people and our democracy.

I was born and raised in New York City. I have lived in this district, in particular, for over 30 years and I have two decades of experience fighting for democracy and working in the industries shaping our world today. I know this community, I understand the systems driving these crises, and I’m ready to fight for the future New Yorkers deserve.

Most-frequented restaurants:
Vaselka is probably tops. The matzoh ball soup and challah slices reminds me of my grandma’s house and the latkes are no joke. Also, it is currently one of the few real diners left in NYC, having just returned to being open 24 hours!

On the other side of my family, I routinely eat at Hunan Dynasty or The Bao with my dad and brother — that’s Chinese food night.

And, of course, who doesn’t have their favorite pizza spot. After Anthony’s on 14th and 1st closed during the Pandemic, it’s gotta be Bleeker Street Pizza.

I also like to cook!

For special occasions, I go to:
Growing up, it was the Gotham Bar & Grill. These days, it’s Union Square Cafe. A close contender, though, is my dad’s house. And every Passover I go to my cousin’s house in Connecticut.

Sweet-tooth satisfaction:
92% dark chocolate. Particularly Lindt or Ghirardelli. Not very sweet, but very satisfying.

What’s your drink order?
Ardbeg with one rock.

I usually order in from… .
I actually can’t remember the last time I ordered in. I live within a block of over a dozen restaurants and I love to go into the neighborhood.

The last non-essential item I bought:
I bought my friend a model Enterprise-D for their birthday. I suppose this could be considered “non-essential”?

I’m so glad West 4th Street Station is in the district, because without it I’d have to spend an extra 20 minutes getting anywhere!

How I stay fit: Regular yoga and tai chi practices

Where I get beautiful: Obbachi

What’s the district’s best-kept secret?
I can’t put that in writing. (Ok, it’s Blue and Gold Tavern. I can get top quality Ardbeg scotch for $9.)

A recent enthusiasm: Consent education in public schools

Rainy-day activity: Netflix movie. Or tai chi in the park if it’s light rain.

I take out-of-towners to: Dim sum, very few people come from places with good dim sum.

Pet peeve: Shoes in the house. I’m a house slippers kind of guy.

A doctor I’d recommend: Loren Fishman. Also, Wally for dental — prevention is worth a pound of cure.

My most memorable celebrity sighting:
Dave Chappelle at the now lost Nick’s Coffee Shop (big neon coffee sign) on Union Square. Or maybe Robin Williams at Forbidden Planet.

Tribeca could use more seawalls to protect against flooding and fewer massive luxury housing developments

If I could change one thing about the district:
If we’re talking about impossible wishes, a direct mass transit line that runs diagonally from the East Village to Tribeca. If we’re talking about practical considerations, I would love for the rents to be lower.

A business I’d like to have here:
A cozy bar. I’ve thought about it. Unless you mean a business that exists and I’d like to bring here, in which case it’s Planet Rose — the best karaoke joint in NYC. It is, heartbreakingly, one block outside AD66.

A business I miss:
Gee Whiz Diner. I used to go there every day after school. Also, Bendix Diner, loved their chicken cutlet. While we’re at it, Verso Books, so sad it’s a Starbucks now.

Proof that change is good:
The Highline, Hudson River Park, significantly cleaner and safer streets since my childhood

A new building I admire: Village View on 14th Street it’s an excellent example of how new construction can look modern, look good, provide a good number of units and still fit into the surrounding area visually.

A new building I don’t: There’s a new luxury building on 15th Street that’s 25 stories tall with a mere 55 units in it. That’s an incredibly poor use of space and it’s not particularly good looking. Also, dishonorable mention to that awful all-black tower in Downtown Brooklyn that looks like Sauron’s tower in Mordor.

Best reason to go above 14th Street: To visit my friend Al for Sunday dinners.

What’s your favorite park in the city? Elizabeth Street Garden.

If I couldn’t live here, I’d live in….
I’ve lived in the area for most of my life since I was 10. I honestly couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I couldn’t go far, maybe LES or North Brooklyn.

I wish you had asked me about:
Reinstituting civics into the curriculum and how we end the control of the political machine!