Giovanni Franco - Ballotpedia

Giovanni Franco's campaign for New York City Council Member, District 21 is his first entry into politics. 

As of August 22, 2025, Giovanni Franco did not have a website or any information online.

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Giovanni Franco

Buket Urgen

Shanel was born and raised in East Elmhurst and Corona, Queens. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in public administration from Howard University. She lives in East Elmhurst with her husband and their 2 daughters.

Shanel worked as the Community Outreach Manager and public information liaison for the $8 billion LaGuardia Redevelopment Program. She has also been a business owner since 2001.

Shanel Thomas-Henry - Ballotpedia

Shanel Thomas-Henry's run for City Councilor for NYC District 21 is her first campaign for public office.

Supports raising the minimum wage to a living wage.

Supports workforce development programs that equip people with the skills needed to secure good jobs in the union workforce and fill critical city vacancies.

Supports lifting the cap on street vendor licenses and establishing a regulated system for vendor locations.

- Supports raising the minimum wage to a living wage.
- Supports workforce development programs that equip people with the skills needed to secure good jobs in the union workforce and fill critical city vacancies.
- Supports lifting the cap on street vendor licenses and establishing a regulated system for vendor locations.

As of August 22, 2025, Shanel Thomas-Henry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports calling on New York State to initiate a rent-freeze on rent stabilized units and increase services to help lower the burden of rent, such as CityFHEPS, SCRIE, DRIE, and more.

Supports calling on New York State to initiate a rent-freeze on rent stabilized units and increase services to help lower the burden of rent.

Supports moving beyond temporary hotel placements by providing long-term solutions and essential resources to help people transition to stable housing.

- Supports calling on New York State to initiate a rent-freeze on rent stabilized units and increase services to help lower the burden of rent.
- Supports moving beyond temporary hotel placements by providing long-term solutions and essential resources to help people transition to stable housing.

Supports strengthening community policing by investing in local precincts and providing state-of-the-art resources to officers.

Opposes the use of ICE to "terrorize" communities and wants to ensure neighbors feel safe while removing "active criminals" through the judicial system.

Supports funding for improved lighting, security cameras, and increased trash pickups to enhance public safety and quality of life.

- Supports strengthening community policing by investing in local precincts and providing state-of-the-art resources to officers.
- Opposes the use of ICE to "terrorize" communities and wants to ensure neighbors feel safe while removing "active criminals" through the judicial system.
- Supports funding for improved lighting, security cameras, and increased trash pickups to enhance public safety and quality of life.

Supports improving bus service in East Elmhurst and Corona by advocating for increased MTA funding to reduce wait times and overcrowding.

Supports creating more direct bus routes to commercial areas in Queens.

Plans to push for stricter oversight and reforms to ensure Access-A-Ride operates efficiently and reliably for seniors and people with disabilities.

Supports fair wages, safe working conditions, and adequate resources for transportation workers.

- Supports improving bus service in East Elmhurst and Corona by advocating for increased MTA funding to reduce wait times and overcrowding.
- Supports creating more direct bus routes to commercial areas in Queens.
- Plans to push for stricter oversight and reforms to ensure Access-A-Ride operates efficiently and reliably for seniors and people with disabilities.
- Supports fair wages, safe working conditions, and adequate resources for transportation workers.

Supports protecting access to gender-affirming care.

- Supports protecting access to gender-affirming care.
- Supports access to abortion.

Supports expanded vocational training, trade programs, and partnerships with local businesses and unions to create clear career pathways for students.

- Supports expanded vocational training, trade programs, and partnerships with local businesses and unions to create clear career pathways for students.

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Shanel Thomas-Henry

- City Council Members work together to enact local laws, approve the city budget, and oversee land use and zoning regulations. ​
- Council Members oversee city agencies, ensuring they effectively serve the public and address community needs. ​

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New York City City Council Member, District 21

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