Chris Banks (politician)

Chris Banks is an American politician who is a member of the New York City Council for the 42nd district. He took office in January 2024.

Early life
Banks was born in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. His mother was an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, and his father was from Houston, Texas.

Career
In 2012, Banks ran for the 60th district in the New York State Assembly, losing the Democratic primary to incumbent Inez Barron. He subsequently challenged Inez Barron and her husband Charles Barron four more times unsuccessfully in Assembly and district leader races.

In 2023, Banks ran for the 42nd New York City Council district. He defeated incumbent Charles Barron in the primary, and won the general election unopposed. Barron had a history of making controversial statements, including expressions of support for Robert Mugabe and Muammar Gaddafi.

Before his election, Banks was a community activist. His experience includes being a member of Community Board 5, president of the New York Police Department’s 75th Precinct Community Council, and the founder of the East New York Coalition, a group that advocated against additional homeless shelters in East New York.