Democratic Socialist Tiffany Caban has New Competition for Her Queens NYC Council Seat

By: Benyamin Davidsons

Progressive Democratic Councilwoman Tiffany Caban will have a challenge for her Astoria, Queens seat.

As reported by the NY Post, Republican Kelly Klingman said her name will be on the ballot for District 22, as she seeks to unseat Caban. Caban, 35, who took a seat in the City Council in Dec. 2021, has progressive endorsements including from the Democratic Socialists of America and the Working Families Party, as well as from lefty Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Cuban supports the cries to “Defund the Police”, she backs criminal justice reform, has called for the decriminalization of sex work, and has worked to end jail time connected to the War on Drugs.  In contrast, Klingman, a mother of two, is pro-cop and would push a crime-fighting agenda and hopes to increase funding to the NYPD.  She says she hopes to empower first responders, and another top item on her agenda is giving more education choices to parents — including adding more charter schools.  “I’m not a politician. I’m not doing this as a stepping stone.  But I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines,” Klingman, 44, told The Post on Monday.  “Public safety is my No. 1 issue. Education is No. 2.”  She added that she also wants to help small businesses in the neighborhood, as well as tackle New York’s housing shortage.

Klingman has lived in Astoria since before 2012, when her now-9-year-old twins were born. She says that many Astoria constituents consider Cuban too far left, pointing out specifically the councilwoman’s support for defunding the police, and efforts to redirect the taxpayer funds elsewhere.  “I have a lot of people in my community who are not happy with Caban’s viewpoints, such as `defund the police,’” Klingman said.  “I support funding the police. I support working with police to come up with solutions.”

Per the Post, Klingman supports lifting the cap to allow more charter schools to open in New York City.  This initiative, which now has support from Gov. Kathy Hochul, still has fierce opposition from state lawmakers who are aligned with the teachers unions.  Opening charter schools has been a topic that many parents have supported.  “I’m for school choices,” said Klingman.  Klingman herself, had originally enrolled her kids in Public School 122, but after the height of the pandemic she moved them to Immaculate Conception, a Catholic school.  She said she made the switch because the private school opened up for in-person sessions, while the city public school system was still doing Zoom.  She said this enabled her to work, as her kids would be off to school again.

Klingman is part of the Ronald Reagan Republican club in Astoria.  The new club was founded in February by Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder and WABC radio host who ran for NYC mayor in 2021.  The club’s aim is to challenge Democratic socialism in New York City.  Klingman will speak at the Reagan Club meeting on Tuesday night, and officially kick off her campaign.

Klingman conceded that it will not be an easy race, as Republicans are greatly outnumbered, particularly among younger constituents. Still, she expressed optimism regarding recent GOP candidate successes — including Inna Vernikov, Vickie Paladino and Lester Chang.  “Sometimes it’s good to have different viewpoints represented,” Klingman said.