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Notes:
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District 30 - Council Member - Democrat - Phil Wong represents the 30th Council District, which includes the neighborhoods of Middle Village, Maspeth, Elmhurst, Ridgewood, Glendale, and Rego Park.
Phil’s family immigrated to the United States in 1974 to escape communism in pursuit of freedom and opportunity. A lifelong Queens resident, he has lived in Elmhurst since 1976 and attended public schools in Elmhurst and Maspeth before graduating from Jamaica High School and Cornell University. He is deeply grateful to America for the opportunities it has provided and for allowing him to raise his three daughters in the community he proudly calls home.
As a father who sent all three of his daughters to New York City public schools, Phil understands the importance of maintaining schools that are both safe and academically strong. As a homeowner and small business owner, he is committed to protecting neighborhood quality of life, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that government remains accountable to working families.
Phil has long been active in community advocacy across the district. When a homeless shelter was opened in Elmhurst without prior community engagement, he organized residents and worked with local leaders to advocate for transparency and neighborhood input. He has consistently supported public safety, advocated for strong community-police relations, and opposed policies he believes negatively impact neighborhood stability.
Before being elected to the City Council, Phil served as Budget Director for Council Member Robert Holden, where he helped secure funding for local schools, parks, senior services, and community organizations throughout the district. He also engaged in civic advocacy through the courts, serving as a plaintiff in several high-profile cases, including a successful challenge to New York City’s non-citizen voting law and litigation opposing the City of Yes zoning proposal. Phil was also involved in the landmark Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University case, which addressed race-based admissions policies in higher education.
Phil previously served as President of Community Education Council 24, where he advocated for rigorous academics, parental involvement, and transparency in education policy. He played a leadership role in efforts to preserve the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), protecting access to specialized high schools such as Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. In recognition of his education advocacy, Phil was named to City & State’s 2021 Education Power 100 list.
He is the former President of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, where he advocated for equal opportunity and merit-based advancement. He is also a co-founder of Elmhurst United, formed to address quality-of-life concerns, and a longtime member of the Juniper Park Civic Association, where he worked closely with community leaders on local issues, including opposition to inappropriate shelter siting.
As Council Member, Phil Wong brings decades of community involvement, policy experience, and hands-on advocacy to City Hall. He is committed to strengthening public safety, improving educational outcomes, promoting responsible governance, and preserving the quality of life in every neighborhood of the 30th District
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