In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Julie Won, New York City Council Member for District 26, as she makes the leap to Congress in a race to succeed Nydia Velázquez.

Julie Won is a trailblazer in New York City politics—the first woman and first immigrant to represent District 26, and the first Korean-American Council Member in the city’s history. A mother of two young children and a caregiver to her aging parents, Julie brings a deeply personal understanding of the realities facing multigenerational families across our city—and she’s built her career fighting to make government work better for them.

After immigrating from South Korea at age eight following the 1997 financial crisis, Julie’s family rebuilt their lives in New York. Her mother, once a culinary professor, worked as a nail technician; her father worked in local small businesses. A proud product of New York public schools and a graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, Julie later spent a decade at IBM advising the federal government on technology modernization. In 2021, she took on a crowded 15-candidate primary and won—running to confront the inequities COVID-19 laid bare.

We talk about her journey, her record, and what’s driving her run for Congress—and what kind of representation she believes New York needs next.

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#JulieWon #NYCPolitics #QueensPolitics #Congress2026 #ImmigrantStory #WomenInPolitics #ThePerezNotes #NYDemocrats #PublicService #MultigenerationalFamilies

Meet Chuck Park

Born in Flushing and raised by Korean immigrant storeowners, Chuck Park’s story is rooted in the world’s borough. He served our country as a U.S. diplomat under Barack Obama, then came home to serve his community as a grassroots organizer and city government leader.

Now, Chuck is running as a Democrat for Congress in NY-6—to defeat Trumpism, kick corporate PAC money out of our politics, and put power back in the hands of working people.

A candid conversation about service, organizing, immigrant roots, and what it will take to win real representation for Queens.

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#ThePerezNotes #NY6 #QueensPolitics #ImmigrantStory #GrassrootsPolitics #NoCorporatePACs #WorkingPeople #Election2026

🎙️ Jibreel joins The Perez Notes for a wide-ranging conversation about community, leadership, and his run for State Assembly.

The son of a union nurse and a taxi driver who immigrated to New York in pursuit of the American dream, Jibreel was born and raised in the community he now seeks to serve. Growing up, he watched families, faith institutions, and neighbors hold one another up—often stepping in when government didn’t show up. Those experiences shaped his belief that lasting change must come from the ground up and that public service should honor the people it serves.

A community organizer, nonprofit CEO, and Obama Scholar, Jibreel has dedicated his life to improving the lives of those around him. He helped stop a toxic pesticide facility from being built near homes and schools, secured $1.6 million in funding to prevent gun violence, supported workers in winning a union, and built a small business—giving him firsthand experience with meeting payroll, creating opportunity, and navigating red tape.

Now, Jibreel is running for State Assembly, bringing a grounded, community-first approach shaped by lived experience, coalition-building, and a deep commitment to public service.

🎙️ Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joins The Perez Notes for a wide-ranging conversation about his run for Congress, as he seeks to succeed longtime Representative Nydia Velázquez.

Reynoso breaks down why he’s entering the race, how he’s approaching the campaign, and what he sees as the stakes for Brooklyn and New York City. We discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision not to endorse, the coalition Reynoso is building, key endorsements, fundraising dynamics, and how this contest is shaping up in a crowded and closely watched field.

A candid look at ambition, alliances, and the future of Brooklyn’s voice in Washington—straight from one of the borough’s most prominent political figures.

In this episode of The Perez Notes, host Roberto Perez speaks with Bradley Honan, CEO & President of the Honan Strategy Group, about the latest New York City congressional races and what the data says about where the political landscape is headed.

Honan breaks down his race-by-race predictions, analyzes the recent Siena College poll, and explains what the numbers mean for Governor Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The conversation also dives into local races, how political polling works, where it succeeds and fails, and how public opinion data shapes campaign and governing strategy.

Essential listening for anyone tracking NYC politics, elections, and the data behind the headlines.

#ThePerezNotes #NYCPolitics #NewYorkPolitics #CongressionalRaces #Election2025 #PoliticalPolling #SienaPoll #ZohranMamdani #NYElections #DataPolitics #CampaignStrategy

In this episode of The Perez Notes, host Roberto Perez is joined by Harry Siegel, Senior Editor at THE CITY, Moynihan Public Scholar at City College, and host of the FAQ NYC podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on the shifting power dynamics in New York politics.

They break down Mayor Eric Adams’ time capsule moment and what it symbolizes about his exit from City Hall, analyze the latest Siena Poll, and discuss what it means for incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he prepares to govern. The episode also dives into key New York congressional races, the outcome and implications of the New York City Council Speaker’s race, the future of the NYPD, and how DSA’s relationship with the incoming mayor could shape the next administration.

A sharp, insightful look at transition, governance, and what comes next for New York City.

🔗 Listen, follow, and subscribe: https://linktr.ee/ThePerezNotes

#ThePerezNotes #NYCPolitics #HarrySiegel #TheCityNY #FAQNYC #ZohranMamdani #EricAdams #SienaPoll #NYCCouncil #NYPD #DSA #NewYorkPolitics

In this episode, Roberto Perez sits down with Ben Max to break down the key political battles shaping New York City. We dive into the major congressional races, the New York City Council Speaker’s race, Mayor-elect Mamdani’s transition and early appointments, and the other contests redefining the city’s political landscape. Insightful, fast-paced, and essential for anyone following NYC politics.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards joins The Perez Notes for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of New York City’s largest borough and the political shifts reshaping its leadership.

We break down the state of affordable housing development in Queens, the projects moving forward, and the obstacles that remain. Richards also reflects on Zohran Mamdani’s groundbreaking win, what it signals for the progressive movement, and how it will influence borough-wide priorities.

We take a deep look at the NYC Council Speaker’s Race, the alliances forming behind the scenes, and what Queens stands to gain—or lose—depending on the outcome. And Richards offers a candid assessment of Mayor Eric Adams’ legacy and Speaker Adrienne Adams’ impact, especially on equity, development, and representation in Queens.

A must-listen episode for anyone tracking the political direction of New York City and the future of Queens.

🔗 linktr.ee/thepereznotes

#NYCPolitics #DonovanRichards #Queens #AffordableHousing #ZohranMamdani #SpeakersRace #EricAdams #AdrienneAdams #NYC #QueensPolitics #ThePerezNotes

🎙️ Lorelei Salas joins The Perez Notes for a powerful conversation on why New York City needs an Office of Economic Justice — and how it would function under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s administration.

Salas breaks down how this office could protect low-income New Yorkers, enforce fair-market practices, and reshape the city’s approach to economic equity. We explore how it would coordinate with existing agencies, fill long-standing gaps in oversight, and become a cornerstone of Mamdani’s progressive agenda.

Lorelei Salas brings unmatched expertise to the discussion:

• Federal Oversight: Former Supervision Director at the CFPB, where she led major examinations of financial institutions.

• Consumer Protection: A career spent fighting predatory financial and consumer practices.

• NYC Leadership: Commissioner of the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (2016–2021).

• Community Advocacy: Senior roles in NY State Government and early legal work with Make the Road NY and Catholic Migration Services.

If you want to understand where economic justice fits in the next chapter of NYC policy — this is the episode.

🔗 linktr.ee/thepereznotes

#ThePerezNotes #NYCPolitics #EconomicJustice #ZohranMamdani #LoreleiSalas #CFPB #ConsumerProtection #NYC #ProgressivePolicy

In this episode of The Perez Notes, Daily News City Hall reporter Chris Sommerfeldt joins Roberto Perez for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of New York City politics.

We break down Jesse Tisch staying on as NYPD Commissioner, how the Mamdani administration is taking shape, and what this means for policing, power, and early governing signals. Chris also examines Mayor Eric Adams’ relationship with the press corps, the 2025 congressional races reshaping New York’s political map, the growing weight of the DSA, and the high-stakes battle for the NYC Council Speakership.

If you want smart, sharp, inside-the-room analysis of City Hall and the forces defining the next chapter of NYC politics, this is the episode.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more

🔗 linktr.ee/thepereznotes

#NYCPolitics #CityHall #ChrisSommerfeldt #DailyNews #NYPD #JesseTisch #ZohranMamdani #MamdaniAdministration #EricAdams #PressCorps #CongressionalRaces #DSA #SpeakerRace #NYCCouncil #ThePerezNotes