Fedir Usmanov, a 22-year-old recent graduate from Baruch College, is now hoping to win over voters in Brooklyn’s 47th City Council District — which includes Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, and Sea Gate.
Usmanov is the youngest candidate in the race, focusing on small business support, housing stability and community policing.
Usmanov immigrated to the United States from Ukraine when he was 11 years old.
“We went through all the struggles, like every immigrant,” he said.
In 2016, his family started a small nonprofit. Now, Usmanov hopes to continue that work on a larger scale if he is elected.
A central part of his campaign is improving support for small businesses, including pushing for city-funded financial assistance during their first years in operation.
“So that small businesses don’t have to get distracted by that and can actually focus on running their business,” he said.
On housing, he supports policies that encourage long-term leases — both to give tenants stability and help landlords secure consistent income.
“When landlords understand the tenant is there for a while, they get a stable income,” Usmanov said. “Many landlords would rather have a good tenant who takes care of the property than deal with turnover.”
Usmanov also emphasizes public safety, advocating for a stronger relationship between the NYPD and the neighborhoods they serve.
If elected, Usmanov says he’ll continue to prioritize the people he hopes to serve.
News 12 requested interviews with all the top-funded candidates in the district race... You can go to the "power and politics" section on News 12’s website to check them out.