Vickie Paladino

Vickie Paladino is an American politician, and a member of the New York City Council for the 19th district, which covers College Point, Whitestone, Beechhurst, parts of Flushing and Bayside in Eastern Queens. A member of the Republican Party, she was elected in 2021, replacing former City Council Member Paul Vallone who was term limited. Paladino was re-elected to the New York City Council in 2023, successfully winning the race against Tony Avella for the 19th district seat.

During her time on the New York City Council, she has been a critic of bicyclists in New York City. She has called for bicyclists to carry liability insurance, register their bikes and carry license plates.

In March of 2023, Paladino was removed from NYC City Council's mental health committee in what she claimed to be retaliation for her homophobic comments about Drag Queen Story Hour, a program in which drag performers read storybooks to children at public libraries. Paladino referred to the program as “cultural indoctrination” and “child grooming.”

On May 3rd 2024, in response to campus protests against Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip, Paladino called college students "monsters" who must be "slayed" in New York City.

She has a son, Thomas Paladino Jr, who has also worked as her spokesperson.