Flatbush native Elijah Diaz has officially made history, becoming the youngest Republican and Conservative Party candidate ever to run for the New York City Council, as well as the first to win a Republican/Conservative Party Primary in District 45, which includes Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands, and Marine Park.

Born and raised in Flatbush, Diaz is a proud graduate of P.S. 217, Ditmas I.S. 62, and Midwood High School. Growing up with Type 1 Diabetes and raised by a single mother, he developed resilience and leadership from an early age.

Diaz has also earned respect across communities for his commitment to inclusion and solidarity. Leaders in Brooklyn’s Jewish community have praised his outreach and understanding of their struggles.

“In the United States, especially in the years following October 7th, the Jewish community has faced a spike in antisemitism and endured hate crimes and other hardships, leaving the community to live under a constant sense of fear,” says Diaz. Jewish community members have responded, “Elijah Diaz recognizes our struggle and stands in solidarity with our people.”

In an increasingly divided political climate, Diaz has distinguished himself as an unapologetic defender of religious freedom, standing firmly for every community’s right to practice their faith without fear or compromise. Whether speaking out against antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any form of religious discrimination, he has made it clear that protecting faith-based rights is not negotiable. Diaz often notes that freedom of religion is a cornerstone of American democracy — one he intends to preserve at every level of city government.

His path to public service began years earlier, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete and young entrepreneur. At just 17, he earned an athletic scholarship to Purchase College, where he studied journalism and played collegiate baseball across New York State. While in college, Diaz discovered a new passion for business. By age 19, he became the first entrepreneur in his family, launching a venture that ignited his advocacy for small businesses. After witnessing firsthand the barriers small business owners face, he expanded his expertise into financial services, marketing, psychology, and politics — all with a goal to create common-sense, fact-based solutions for his community.

Now at 22 years old, Diaz’s candidacy under the banner “Leadership of the New Era” seeks to inspire a new generation of activists, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. His campaign emphasizes transparency, accountability, and action, prioritizing the real needs of everyday New Yorkers.

“I know what it’s like to face systemic barriers,” Diaz said. “This campaign isn’t just about politics — it’s about empowering people who have been ignored for too long.”

Beyond politics, Diaz is a vocal advocate against domestic violence. Recently, he organized a rally outside the Brooklyn courthouse in support of a Jewish woman trapped in an unwanted marriage, drawing a crowd of supporters to stand for justice and women’s rights.

To Diaz, this advocacy is a direct reflection of his belief in religious liberty and human dignity — principles that transcend politics and unite diverse communities under a shared value of freedom.

As he embarks on his groundbreaking campaign, Elijah Diaz says his goal is clear: to bring power back to the people and shape a more united, opportunity-driven future for all New Yorkers.