Linda Lee (born July 3, 1979) is an American nonprofit director and politician serving as a member of the New York City Council from the 23rd district. A Democrat, she previously served as the president and CEO of Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York and represents the far-eastern neighborhoods of Queens.
Early life and education Lee grew up in Oakland Gardens, Queens, the daughter of South Korean immigrants. She and her family first lived in the Southern Tier of New York State in the town of Elmira, New York. She received her B.A. from Barnard College and her Master's of Social Work from Columbia.
New York City council Before running for New York City Council in 2021, she served as the president and CEO of Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc. She campaigned for election on a platform of increasing services for senior citizens, improving the accountability of police to citizens, and workforce training to help recover the economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After winning the November 2021 general election, she became the first Asian American woman to represent the district, along with a wave of previously unrepresented minorities on the City Council. She succeeded fellow Democrat Barry Grodenchik; her term is intended to run for two years instead of the usual four because of planned redistricting. Her district office is located in Oakland Gardens, Queens.
Housing Construction and Affordability In December 2024, Lee voted against the "City of Yes" legislation which would rezone parts of the city to develop more housing.
Chair of the Finance Committee In March 2026, City and State NY magazine published an interview with Lee after New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin appointed Lee as Chair of the Finance Committee. Lee described herself as a "New York Moderate" similar to the political platform of Speaker Menin. Neither Democrat endorsed Mayor Zohran Mamdani during the 2025 mayoral election.
Existing Buildings and Carbon Pollution Reduction In 2026, Linda Lee sponsored legislation to reform (some say weaken) Local Law 97. This 2019 law will require most large buildings that are either non-residential and residential housing being retrofitted or renovated in New York City come with compliances that strictly reduces annual carbon emissions by the year 2050 and contributes to a cleaner environment.https://earthjustice.org/press/2025/local-law-97-protected-ny-court-of-appeals-decisionBut the pending legislation would increase buildings’ allowed emissions by including outdoor space as part of their footprint and other measures. This legislation requirement would significantly increase the carbon budget of garden-style co-ops, where low-rise apartments are accompanied by lawns. The nearly 3,000-apartment Glen Oaks Village complex in northeastern Queens would be allowed to more than double its emissions, according to a New York Focus analysis of the property’s building and lot data. Lee’s bill would increase the typical co-op or condo’s annual emissions allowance by eleven percent, according to a report from the Urban Green Council. Co-ops and Condos United (an organization representing home owners in New York State) argued it would save co-op shareholders and condo owners from financial ruin.https://nysfocus.com/2026/09/24/coops-condos-united-rebny-local-law-97
Electoral history 2025
2023
2021
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