ASTORIA – Tiffany Cabán has announced that she is officially running for New York City Council in District 22. Cabán’s campaign launch was accompanied by a series of endorsements from a variety of district leaders including New York State Senator Mike Gianaris, State Senator Jessica Ramos, Astoria Democratic District Leader-elect Shawna Morlock, and others. Costa Constantinidis, the Greek-Cypriot-American, currently holds the position – however, he will not be able to run again in the next election as he has reached his two-term limit.

"I am running because this is where the work is. I’m running for City Council because I love this community. From Astoria, to Rikers Island; from Jackson Heights, to Woodside, to East Elmhurst, I am running to represent every single person, in every single corner, of this district. I love the people who live here, and I believe that change is possible. Together, we will … establish a care economy, and implement a Green New Deal for New York City,” said Tiffany Cabán, candidate for New York City Council District 22.

Although Cabán has been an activist and organizer within the district for years, she became a household name last year after a near win and revolutionary run for Queens District Attorney. Cabán’s insurgent campaign built a movement, her run challenging the establishment.

Cabán’s launch was followed by the immediate endorsement of several community leaders.

“Tiffany’s fight for social justice started decades ago. She was fighting against the criminalization of poverty as an activist and later was speaking out against police brutality as a public defender. Her track record and drive to fight for vulnerable communities make her the proven leader we need to represent Queens in the City Council. I’m proud to stand alongside her today as she announces her run for NY City Council,” said New York State Senator Mike Gianaris. 

Tiffany Cabán is a 33-year-old public defender, organizer, activist, and queer Latina who is running for City Council to ensure New York reaches its full progressive potential. Tiffany knows City government can work for working people, and she will not stop fighting until it does.

A Queens native, Tiffany was born in Richmond Hill, Queens to Puerto Rican parents who grew up in Woodside Houses. Her father worked as an elevator mechanic and her mother took care of other people’s children. Tiffany attended PS 62 in Richmond Hill and JHS 210 Elizabeth Blackwell in Woodhaven, and later attended St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows.

Tiffany earned a Bachelor’s degree in Crime, Law, and Justice from Pennsylvania State University, and a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. Passionate about the relationship between law, policy, and social inequity, she entered law school knowing that she would one day become a public defender.

In her years at New York County Defender Services (NYCDS) and the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice, Tiffany represented over a thousand indigent clients in cases ranging from turnstile jumping to homicide. Throughout her professional career, she has used the law to help New York City’s most vulnerable communities, and her experiences advocating on behalf of her clients helped her identify some of the worst inequities of our criminal justice system — a system that criminalizes poverty, mental health issues, and addiction.

Tiffany lives in Astoria and is the proud mom of two rescue dogs, Natalie and Coltrane. An athlete since childhood, she participates in LGBTQIA+ sports leagues and is a diehard sports fan.