Ricardo is originally from Nicaragua. He attended Hillcrest High School and earned degrees in journalism and forensic psychology. He lives in Jackson Heights, New York.

Ricardo previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He later worked as a security guard at Merrill Lynch and at The College Board. He also served as a police officer with the New York City Police Department, where he was assigned to the 73rd Precinct. After retiring from the NYPD, he served as president of his co-op board and as president of the Jackson Heights Coops Alliance.

Ricardo Pacheco previously ran for City Council in 2023 and State Assembly in 2024 but did not win.

Supports stricter enforcement against unlicensed vendors.

- Supports stricter enforcement against unlicensed vendors.

Economy

Supports creating additional after-school programs.

- Supports creating additional after-school programs.

Public Services

Supports funding public schools and libraries.

- Supports funding public schools and libraries.

Education

Supports funding for homeless services to help individuals become self-sufficient.

- Supports funding for homeless services to help individuals become self-sufficient.

Housing & Urban Development

Advocates for repealing "harmful policies" like cashless bail, raising the age of criminal responsibility, and discovery laws that "let criminals go free."

Opposes decriminalizing prostitution and legalizing "sex work" as a regulated industry, saying "Our focus should be on eradicating human trafficking and exploitation."

- Advocates for repealing "harmful policies" like cashless bail, raising the age of criminal responsibility, and discovery laws that "let criminals go free."
- Opposes decriminalizing prostitution and legalizing "sex work" as a regulated industry, saying "Our focus should be on eradicating human trafficking and exploitation."

Public Safety

Plans to address access issues on 34th Avenue, including safety concerns related to e-mobility vehicles and unlicensed mopeds and e-bikes.

- Plans to address access issues on 34th Avenue, including safety concerns related to e-mobility vehicles and unlicensed mopeds and e-bikes.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Plans to advocate for reopening and expanding the Creedmoor Mental Facility and creating more mental health facilities.

- Plans to advocate for reopening and expanding the Creedmoor Mental Facility and creating more mental health facilities.

Healthcare

As of June 8, 2025, Ricardo Pacheco’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

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Ricardo Pacheco

Shekar is originally from Queens, New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from The Cooper Union and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He lives with his wife Zoe and their two children.

New York City's 25th City Council district - Wikipedia

Shekar previously worked as a civil rights attorney at Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, where he directed the fair housing and tenant advocacy divisions. He also co-founded Communities Resist, a legal services organization.

District 25 - Shekar Krishnan

Shekar Krishnan currently serves as the New York City Council Member for District 25. He was first elected in 2021 and is serving his first term.

As Parks Chair, negotiated the highest budget ever for NYC Parks.

Supports funding for universal childcare, public schools, the City University of New York (CUNY), and senior centers.

Supports funding programs that aim to combat bigotry and support LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities.

- As Parks Chair, negotiated the highest budget ever for NYC Parks.
- Supports funding for universal childcare, public schools, the City University of New York (CUNY), and senior centers.
- Supports funding programs that aim to combat bigotry and support LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities.

Supports revising the curriculum to accurately reflect the history of Christopher Columbus's colonization and its impact on indigenous communities.

- Supports revising the curriculum to accurately reflect the history of Christopher Columbus's colonization and its impact on indigenous communities.

Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Shekar Krishnan for City Council ...

Opposes "inhumane sweeps" of homeless individuals, advocating for necessary services instead.

- Believes housing is a human right.
- Opposes "inhumane sweeps" of homeless individuals, advocating for necessary services instead.

Supports closing Rikers Island but opposes the plan to open borough-based jails.

Supports ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals.

Supports establishing supervised drug consumption spaces in his district.

Supports full decriminalization of sex work and opposes the Nordic model, which criminalizes purchase and facilitation while decriminalizing sale.

Supports full decriminalization of sex work.

Supports legislation banning solitary confinement in all jails and prisons, including city jails.

Supports measures to reduce gun violence and wants to invest in mental health, housing, safe streets, and youth programs.

- Supports closing Rikers Island but opposes the plan to open borough-based jails.
- Supports ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals.
- Supports establishing supervised drug consumption spaces in his district.
- Supports full decriminalization of sex work.
- Supports legislation banning solitary confinement in all jails and prisons, including city jails.
- Supports measures to reduce gun violence and wants to invest in mental health, housing, safe streets, and youth programs.

As of June 8, 2025, Shekar Krishnan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports abortion access and co-sponsored legislation to expand access to abortion and contraceptives.

Supports investing in public hospitals and ensuring quality healthcare for all.

- Supports abortion access and co-sponsored legislation to expand access to abortion and contraceptives.
- Supports investing in public hospitals and ensuring quality healthcare for all.

Shekar Krishnan

- 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. ​

Passes laws and regulations for your city

This ballot may not list all local party officials on your official ballot. These individuals serve only within their political party and do not hold public office.

New York City City Council Member, District 25, Democratic Primary

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