2025 NYC General Election

Rita Joseph

Rita Joseph is from Flatbush, Brooklyn. She has a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from St. Francis College and a dual master's degree in general and special education from Touro College. She lives with her four children in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. She is an active member of the Holy Innocent Catholic Church.

District 40 - Rita Joseph

Rita is a public school teacher. She worked at PS6, where she helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for technological improvements. 

Rita is currently a New York City Council Member, representing District 40. She was elected in 2021 and is serving her first term. She is the chair of the Committee on Education.

Supports increasing funding for women and minority-owned businesses.

Supports providing tax incentives for new businesses that want to relocate to lower-income communities.

Supports strengthening rent regulations to protect tenants from "unfair & unreasonable rent increases."

Supports the passage of Good Cause Eviction legislation.

Supports implementing an "ultra wealth tax" and a "pied-a-terre tax" to help close the wealth gap.

Supports increasing community involvement in public education through community events, after school programs, and local partnerships.

Supports increasing teacher pay and decreasing class sizes.

Supports providing every school with the necessary number of counselors, nurses, mental health professionals, and teachers.

Supports improving public education funding by increasing taxes on the wealthy and reinvesting the NYPD's budget into student services.

Sponsored legislation to create a universal summer youth program.

Sponsored legislation to create a pilot program that would involve mental health professional candidates in student wellness clubs in public middle and high schools.

Sponsored legislation to create a pilot program that develops and distributes educational materials on reducing surplus food in public schools.

Advocates for changing the way Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated, so that "affordable truly means affordable for NYC."

Supports addressing "abhorrent conditions" in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes by overhauling the department responsible for lead paint, infrastructure, and affordability issues.

Supports implementing an "ultra wealth tax" and a "pied-a-terre tax" to help close the wealth gap in New York City.

Supports requiring developers to increase the number of permanent affordable housing units in new construction.

Supports stronger gun restrictions in New York City.

Supports New York's red flag and bail reform laws.

Believes in holding those in charge of Riker's accountable for the conditions there.

Sponsored legislation to establish a bullying prevention task force.

Sponsored legislation to prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes.

Supports increasing pedestrian walkways and bike lanes.

Supports congestion pricing to reduce car traffic and pollution.

Supports expanding "fair-fares" to reduce public transit costs for low-income New Yorkers.

Supports installing protected bicycle lanes.

Supports installing speed humps on roadways adjacent to parks larger than one acre.

Supports requiring the Department of Transportation to investigate vehicle collisions.

Supports establishing a parking enforcement unit within the Department of Transportation.

Supports special activation of the Open Streets program during holidays and peak pedestrian traffic times.

Supports increasing Citibike access in underserved communities, including District 40.

Sponsored legislation that would require speed humps on roads next to parks that are one acre or larger.

Sponsored legislation that requires the department of transportation to investigate vehicle collisions.

Sponsored legislation to establish a parking enforcement unit within the department of transportation.

Supports expanding pregnancy Medicare coverage to one year.

Supports universal access to doula services.

Supports access to healthcare services and affordable prescription drugs for seniors.

Supports implementing a "full Green New Deal for NYC" to create quality, well-paying green jobs with union benefits and protections.

Supports defending low-income communities and communities of color from pollution.

Supports a climate resiliency plan that addresses vulnerable coastlines in all five boroughs.

Supports reducing the city's carbon footprint by creating more pedestrian and bike-friendly streets.

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Rita is a public school teacher. She worked at PS6, where she helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for technological improvements. Before serving in the City Council, she was a community activist and a proud union member.

Rita is currently a New York City Council Member representing District 40. She was elected in 2021 and is serving her first term. She is the chair of the Committee on Education.

Supports providing schools with adequate numbers of counselors, nurses, mental health professionals, and teachers.

Supports student journalism programming in New York City public high schools.

Supports a pilot program to create and share educational materials on reducing surplus food in public schools.

Sponsored legislation that requires the NYC Department of Education to report actual class sizes and expand reports on the number of students in special programs in New York City public schools.

Sponsored legislation to create a universal summer youth program plan.

Believes in overhauling the department responsible for NYCHA complexes to address lead paint, infrastructure, and affordability issues.

Sponsored legislation to create a pilot program to involve mental health professional candidates in student wellness clubs in public middle and high schools.

Sponsored legislation to establish a warming centers program.

Supports expanding "fair-fares" to reduce public transportation costs for low-income New Yorkers.

Sponsored legislation to install protected bicycle lanes.

Sponsored legislation that would require speed humps on roads next to parks larger than one acre.

Sponsored legislation requiring the department of transportation to investigate vehicle collisions.

Supports access to health care services and low-cost prescription drugs for seniors.

Supports implementing a full Green New Deal for NYC to create quality, well-paying green jobs with union benefits and protections.

Advocates for a climate resiliency plan that addresses the most vulnerable coastlines in all five boroughs.

Supports the passage of Good Cause Eviction legislation, which would prevent landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason.

Supports providing schools with adequate counselors, nurses, mental health professionals, and teachers.

Supports requiring developers to increase the number of permanent affordable units in new construction.

Supports changing the way Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated, so that "affordable truly means affordable for NYC."

Supports overhauling the department responsible for NYCHA complexes to address lead paint, crumbling infrastructure, and affordability.

Supports holding those in charge of Riker's accountable for the conditions there.

Sponsored legislation requiring speed humps on roads next to parks larger than one acre.

Sponsored legislation that would require the department of transportation to investigate vehicle collisions.

Sponsored legislation to activate the Open Streets program on holidays and during times with significant pedestrian traffic.

Supports increasing Citibike access to underserved communities, including District 40.

Supports defending access to health care services and low-cost prescription drugs for seniors.

Supports defending low-income communities and communities of color from environmental pollution.

Rita is a public school teacher. She worked at PS6, where she helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for technological improvements.

Supports improving funding for public education by increasing taxes on the wealthy and reinvesting the NYPD's budget into student services.

Sponsored a bill to involve mental health professional candidates in student wellness clubs in public middle and high schools.

Sponsored a bill to implement student journalism programming in New York City public high schools.

Sponsored a bill to create a universal summer youth program.

Supports increasing Citibike access in underserved communities.

Supports expanding fair-fare programs to reduce public transportation costs for low-income New Yorkers.

Supports increasing pedestrian walkways and bike lanes throughout District 40 and New York City.

Sponsored a bill to activate the Open Streets program on certain holidays and during peak pedestrian traffic times.

Promises to provide "top-tier, multilingual constituent services" by responding quickly to inquiries and addressing issues with "thoughtfulness, dignity, and intention."

Supports ensuring community boards have adequate representation of diverse and underrepresented populations.

Plans to host monthly public meetings for constituents to ask questions and ensure accountability.

Supports funding the New York Immigration Family Unity Project to provide legal representation for all detained immigrants.

Supports extending voting rights in New York City elections to immigrant New Yorkers with green cards or work authorizations.

Supports increasing high quality, low-cost health care services for low-income communities.

Supports expanding pregnancy Medicare coverage for a full year.

Supports implementing a full Green New Deal for New York City to create quality, well-paying green jobs with union benefits and protections.

Supports providing tax incentives for new businesses that want to relocate to lower income communities.

Supports working with local Business Improvement Districts to build better marketing programs for small businesses.

Supports ensuring that local businesses are not displaced by large chain stores and corporations.

Sponsored legislation to establish warming centers for the homeless.

As a City Council member, sponsored legislation to amend the means of egress requirements in certain new buildings.

Sponsored legislation to improve benefits enrollment processes for city employees.

Sponsored legislation to make certain bathrooms in city facilities available for public use.

Sponsored legislation that would prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes.

Sponsored legislation to create a pilot program that would develop and distribute educational materials on reducing surplus food in public schools.

Sponsored legislation to provide luggage for youth in foster care.

Sponsored legislation to establish a holistic needs assessment program.

Supports a pilot program to involve mental health professional candidates in student wellness clubs in public middle and high schools.

Sponsored legislation that would require the NYC Department of Education to report actual class sizes and expand reports on the number of students in special programs in New York City public schools.

Sponsored legislation that would require the Department of Education to report on manifestation determination reviews.

Wants to change the way Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated, so that affordable housing is "truly affordable for NYC."

Wants to address "abhorrent conditions" in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes by overhauling the department responsible for lead paint, infrastructure, and affordability issues.

Sponsored legislation that would notify tenants of intent to alter or demolish certain rent-regulated housing.

Sponsored legislation to outreach regarding youth programs provided by the police department.

Sponsored legislation that would ban the sale and use of diesel-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers.

Rita Joseph is from Flatbush, Brooklyn. She holds a bachelor of science in liberal arts from St. Francis College and a dual master’s in general and special education from Touro College. She lives with her four children in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. She is an active member of the Holy Innocent Catholic Church.

Rita is currently a New York City Council Member for District 40. She was elected in 2021 and is serving her first term. She is the chair of the Committee on Education.

Sponsored legislation that would notify tenants of rent-regulated housing if the building is set to be altered or demolished.

Sponsored legislation to activate the Open Streets program on holidays and times with significant pedestrian traffic.

Sponsored legislation to create a pilot program to develop and distribute educational materials on reducing surplus food in public schools.

Sponsored legislation to support student journalism programming in New York city public high schools.

Supports strengthening rent regulations, advocating for Good Cause Eviction legislation, and forcing developers to increase permanent affordable units in new construction.

Supports implementing an ultra-wealth tax and a pied-a-terre tax to help close the wealth gap in New York City.

Supports the installation of protected bicycle lanes.

Supports requiring speed humps on roadways next to parks larger than one acre.

Supports increasing Citibike access in underserved communities, like District 40.

Supports reducing the carbon footprint by creating more pedestrian and bike-friendly streets.

Supports the Good Cause Eviction legislation, which would prevent landlords from evicting tenants without a valid reason.

Supports providing every school with the necessary number of school counselors, nurses, mental health professionals, and teachers.

Supports requiring developers to increase permanent affordable units in new construction.

Supports overhauling the department that addresses lead paint, infrastructure, and affordability in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes.

Sponsored legislation that would notify tenants of intent to alter or demolish certain rent regulated housing accommodations.

Said, "Address the abhorrent conditions in NYCHA complexes across the city with a complete overhaul of the department that takes action on lead paint, crumbling infrastructure, & affordability. No more band-aids, we need real solutions."

Supports changing how Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated so that "affordable truly means affordable for NYC."

Supports requiring the department of transportation to investigate vehicle collisions.

Supports establishing a parking enforcement unit within the department of transportation.

Supports special activation of the Open Streets program on holidays and during times of significant pedestrian traffic.

Sponsored legislation to activate the Open Streets program on holidays and during time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.

Supports increasing pedestrian walkways and bike lanes throughout District 40 and the city.

Wants to increase Citibike access to underserved communities, like District 40.

Supports defending low-income and communities of color from pollution.

James Auchincloss

Buket Urgen

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Healthcare

Education

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