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News 12 chats with Councilwoman Shahana Hanif on her run for reelection in NYC Council District 39

Born in Kensington and raised her whole life in District 39, Councilwoman Shahana Hanif says her run for reelection is personal.

Julia Burns

Jun 6, 2025, 2:59 AM

Updated 15 hr ago

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Born in Kensington and raised her whole life in District 39, Councilwoman Shahana Hanif says her run for re-election is personal.
“I grew up in a community that is one of the largest working class Bangladeshi immigrant enclaves. And I witnessed the issues that immigrants face that that workers experience, that our seniors are experiencing. My vision for the city is one that's rooted in care and joy where nobody's abandoned," said Hanif.
She says she has a proven track record of progress in her time as councilwoman, telling News 12 what she calls her biggest milestones.
“I’m really proud of having coauthored the New York City Abortion Rights Act after Roe v Wade was repealed, and it expands funding, legal services and protections for abortion access and including for those who are coming to our city from anti-choice states," said Hanif.
Hanif says one of the issues that's most important to her is affordable housing.
“I've been fighting to pass laws that strengthen tenant protections. And one that is going into effect is the Fair Act, which ends force broker fees. District wide, I've had the opportunity to work with and organize with constituents who are at risk of eviction from their apartments, and we have kept fighting," said Hanif.
She says she thinks she can push the district forward if she wins in June and is elected in November.
"I'm someone who knows what they're doing, how to cut through the bureaucratic bureaucracy and deliver responses, deliver fruitfully is very, very important," said Hanif.