Chris Banks is an American politician who is a member of the New York City Council for the 42nd district. He took office in January 2024.[1]
Chris Banks | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New York City Council from the 42nd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Barron |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
Early life
editBanks was born in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. His mother was an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, and his father was from Houston, Texas.[1]
Career
editIn 2012, Banks ran for the 60th district in the New York State Assembly, losing the Democratic primary to incumbent Inez Barron.[2] He subsequently challenged Inez Barron and her husband Charles Barron four more times unsuccessfully in Assembly and district leader races.[2][3]
In 2023, Banks ran for the 42nd New York City Council district. He defeated incumbent Charles Barron in the primary, and won the general election unopposed.[3] Barron had a history of making controversial statements, including expressions of support for Robert Mugabe and Muammar Gaddafi.[4]
Before his election, Banks was a community activist.[4] His experience includes being a member of Community Board 5, president of the New York Police Department’s 75th Precinct Community Council, and the founder of the East New York Coalition, a group that advocated against additional homeless shelters in East New York.[3]
Banks voted against The City of Yes on Thursday December 5, 2024 that will create more affordable housing in New York City.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ a b "District 42". Chris Banks. 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ a b Hogan, Gwynne (2023-06-28). "How Insurgent Chris Banks Toppled the Barrons' Stronghold in East New York — For Now". THE CITY - NYC News. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ a b c Edwards, Christopher (2023-12-13). "Get to Know Chris Banks, East New York's Newest Councilmember-Elect". BKReader. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ a b Beer, Isabel Song (2023-06-28). "Newcomer Chris Banks predicted to unseat legacy Council Member Charles Barron in Dem primary • Brooklyn Paper". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/nyregion/nyc-housing-city-of-yes.html
- ^ https://citylimits.org/2024/12/06/how-each-nyc-councilmember-voted-on-city-of-yes-for-housing/?utm_source=City+Limits&utm_campaign=684e23200e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_12_09_01_35&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bcc34d62ff-684e23200e-54682191&mc_cid=684e23200e&mc_eid=9a8de23bb4