CD5 Race on UES Pits Julie Menin (D) vs. Alina Bonsell (R)

With early voting set to begin on Oct. 25, and Election Day on Nov. 4, the race for the Upper East Side’s City Council District 5 seat is nearing its climax. Democratic Party incumbent Julie Menin, who has served in the Council since 2022, is running for re-election. She has the endorsement of various unions, Democratic clubs, and large nonprofit organizations.

She’ll be facing the Republican candidate, Alina Bonsell, a newcomer to the political scene and resident of the district since 2012. She says she is running to be “a strong voice” against “socialism and antisemitism,” and takes issue with Zohran Mamdani’s plan to create a publicly owned grocery store program.

Our Town reached out to both candidates to get their perspectives, in their own words, on why they’re running to represent (or continue to represent) District 5. They were asked three questions: What is their background and experience, What makes them the best candidate, and What do they think the most pressing issues in the district are.

Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Alina Bonsell

1. Background / Experience

I have a 20-year professional career that’s a culmination of corporate healthcare, executive sales, business development, and entrepreneurship. I’ve built and led teams, expanded markets, and driven growth. I’ve handled large negotiations, managed major budgets and contracts, and navigated complex institutional systems to deliver results.

I’ve lived in District 5 since 2012, raising my two sons here, and I’m proud to call this community home. I’m a first-time candidate—my first time getting into politics—and I think that’s a great thing. Crime is up, homelessness is up, affordability is down, and people are losing faith in city government.

We don’t need more career politicians; we need real people who live here and actually understand what it’s like to build a life in this city, not people who just keep an address here so they can run for office.

2. What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Although I’m running as a Republican, I support individual rights, including a woman’s right to choose, and believe in policies grounded in compassion, fairness, and common sense. I’m fiscally conservative and don’t support waste or abuse of taxpayer money. I don’t believe in government overreach in healthcare or in targeting hardworking, law-abiding, peaceful undocumented residents who have lived, worked, and contributed to our communities for years.

They deserve stability and protection from indiscriminate removal. I support New York City becoming a smart sanctuary city, one that protects those who are already here, while putting safeguards in place to prevent future abuse of the system.

My family immigrated from Ukraine as Jewish refugees, escaping socialism and antisemitism in pursuit of the American dream. I know what happens when government power replaces individual freedom, and I’ll be a strong voice against both in City Hall.

3. What are the most pressing issues in the district?

The three biggest issues are public safety, homelessness and mental illness, and saving small businesses.

1. Public Safety: Crime is rising while repeat offenders face little to no consequences. We need real accountability, more officers on our streets, and proper police funding. Until public safety is restored, civilians should be allowed to carry pepper spray for self-defense. Another real danger in the district is e-bikes. They weave through traffic, speed down sidewalks, and put pedestrians at risk—and when accidents happen, the riders take off. The city set a 15 mph limit, but without licensing or registration, there’s no way to enforce it. The bill that would actually regulate and hold these delivery drivers accountable has been sitting stalled in City Hall. Our current Council member claims to support that bill, yet it’s gone nowhere. Meanwhile, delivery-app companies have spent millions influencing City Council re-election races, including independent spending.

2. Homelessness and Mental Illness: What we see on our streets isn’t just homelessness—it’s untreated mental illness and addiction. These individuals need long-term care, not neglect. The laws already exist to help them, but leadership refuses to act. Reopening state facilities and providing real treatment is both humane and safer for everyone.

3. Small Businesses: Local shops are closing because the city keeps raising taxes on commercial landlords with no caps, costs that get passed on to tenants. City Hall manages a $116-billion budget but can’t protect its small businesses. We need fair laws, fewer regulations, and tax incentives for landlords who keep rents stable and businesses open.

Julie Menin

1) Background/experience

It’s been an honor to serve the 5th Council District representing the East Side of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island. Before my election, I served as a commissioner of three city agencies under two different mayors: I have been in public service for over two decades and know how to get things done! I have also served as a seven-year Community Board chairperson.

2) What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Our city faces a myriad of challenges including affordability, public safety, and quality of life, and I have been working hard to deliver results for you. In my first two terms, I am proud that over 25 of my bills and resolutions have become law. I passed legislation that requires hospitals to disclose their prices, codified reproductive rights, created a one-stop shop portal for small businesses to consolidate all permits and licenses, and have set New York City on a path to be the first in the nation to have universal child care, which will provide critical support to working families.

During my tenure in the Council, I have delivered over $70 million in discretionary funding, which will bring significant upgrades to our parks, schools, and infrastructure. I have worked hard to increase public safety, bring litter-basket pickups to record levels, and launch a novel rat-mitigation program. I hope to build on all of these in a third term. I’m raising my children here and care deeply about our district’s future. I’m so proud to be endorsed by many labor unions, elected officials, and civic leaders.

3) What are the two or three most pressing issues facing people in your district?

Affordability, quality of life, and uplifting families. I delivered the largest affordable housing rezoning on the East Side of Manhattan in 2024 on East 94th Street. This rezoning not only reduced the total proposed building’s height by 70 feet, but also increased the share of affordable units. In addition, our City Council passed a comprehensive housing plan with $5 billion of investments to create over 80,000 units of housing citywide and support our neighborhoods.

Regarding public safety, I have secured increased funding for new NYPD foot patrols and security cameras on the East Side, which has led to a reduction in overall crime in our district. We are also in a unique time when hate crimes continue to surge, especially in the Jewish community. This is why I launched a program that will allow up to 85,000 8th-grade students at New York City public schools to tour the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

In addition, I passed a package of bills that has placed New York City on a path to universal childcare. I will continue to work with my colleagues in government to make this a reality.