NYC-CC19: Vickie Paladino's (R) challenger (D) touts fundraising haul

Democrat Ben Chou, who is challenging Queens Republican City Council Member Vickie Paladino, has raised about $30,000 in private donations and expects to max out on fundraising with city public matching funds, his campaign exclusively told City & State ahead of the Oct. 3 filing deadline. That means he expects to meet the Campaign Finance Board spending cap of $228,000 with matching funds. The CFB will make the final determination on allotting matching funds.

"I’m deeply grateful for the generosity of our supporters. These are hardworking people, everyday New Yorkers, the vast majority small dollar donors, who want to see someone that relates with them and understands what’s really important to them in City Hall,” Chou said in a statement. “Maxing out our fundraising now comes with the responsibility of honoring their trust by running an efficient, honest, and issue-focused campaign."

Paladino, the conservative Whitestone firebrand known for her no-nonsense attitude and online confrontations, appears to have already maxed out on fundraising, per campaign finance records.

Chou, 33, grew up in Douglaston as the son of Chinese and Burmese immigrants. A firefighter since 2014, he is president of the New York City Fire Department’s Phoenix Society, a group that advocates for



https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/10/vickie-paladinos-challenger-touts-fundraising-haul/408574/?oref=csny-homepage-river