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Susan Zhuang

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Susan Zhuang
Member of the New York City Council
from the 43rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2024
Preceded byJustin Brannan
(redistricting)
Personal details
BornBaipu Village, Jiangsu, China
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
EducationState University of New York at Oswego (BS)
University of Southern Indiana (MBA)
WebsiteOfficial website
Campaign website

Susan Zhuang (Chinese: 莊文怡; pinyin: Zhuāng Wényí) is an American politician who is a member of the New York City Council for the 43rd district, which covers Sunset Park, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Borough Park, and other neighborhoods in southern Brooklyn.

Early life and education

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Zhuang was born in Baipu, a small village in China, and came to the United States in 2008 as a student. She earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the State University of New York at Oswego and later a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Indiana.[1]

Career

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Zhuang previously worked as chief of staff for New York State Assemblyman William Colton.[citation needed]

New York City Council

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Zhuang announced her campaign for the 43rd district, a newly created Asian-majority seat. While campaigning, Zhuang told a voter in Mandarin that her ideas aligned with the Republican Party and that she was running as a Democrat out of convenience.[2] Zhuang's election marked the first time the area had been represented by Asian Americans in both chambers of the New York State Legislature as well as the New York City Council; though policy and political differences between New York State Senator Iwen Chu, Republican Assemblyman Lester Chang, and Zhuang persist.[3] In office, Zhuang has been described as a conservative Democrat.[4]

New York Daily News reported that in February 2024, Zhuang used her official government email account to solicit money, in a potential violation of state ethics laws, for a local united front group called Asian American Community Empowerment, which goes by the acronym BRACE.[5][6] In March 2024, Zhuang and Colton led a large protest against a proposed homeless shelter location in Gravesend.[7] On July 17, 2024, Zhuang was arrested and accused of biting NYPD Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomo during a protest against a homeless shelter.[8] She was released without bond that same day.[9] In an interview a week later, she claimed to have protected an elderly woman who fell amid the chaos.[10] BRACE subsequently organized a protest march across the Brooklyn Bridge in support of Zhuang.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Lehrer, Brian (February 13, 2024). "Meet the New Council Members: Susan Zhuang". WNYC. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Calder, Rich; Williams, Zach (June 17, 2023). "Susan Zhuang running for NYC 'Asian opportunity' seat caught claiming GOP values". New York Post. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  3. ^ McDonough, Annie (May 6, 2024). "Asian American voting power is breaking through in southern Brooklyn". City & State. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  4. ^ "Accused of biting police official, NYC Council member says police were the aggressors". ABC News. 2024-07-19. Archived from the original on 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  5. ^ Sommerfeldt, Chris (2024-03-13). "NYC Councilwoman Zhuang's team used city emails to solicit funds for nonprofit in potential violation". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  6. ^ Yan, Flora (December 2, 2021). "'China Day' in New York: A Case Study in United Front Work". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  7. ^ Daly, Adam (March 19, 2024). "Gravesend residents rally against planned homeless shelter". Brooklyn Paper. Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  8. ^ Meko, Hurubie; Schweber, Nate (2024-07-17). "City Councilwoman Is Charged With Biting Police Chief During Protest". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  9. ^ "New York City Council member arrested, accused of biting police officer". Associated Press. 2024-07-17. Archived from the original on 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  10. ^ Chi'en, Arthur (July 24, 2024). "NYC Councilwoman Zhuang's exclusive interview after cop bite arrest: 'I see her as my grandmother'". WNYW. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  11. ^ Jaramillo, Valentina; Bhole, Aneeta; Fitz-Gibbon, Jorge (2024-07-28). "Protesters with ties to Chinese Communists march in support of NYC lawmaker accused of biting NYC cop". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
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