| Vickie Paladino | |
| Office: | Member of the New York City Council from the 19th district |
| Term Start: | January 1, 2022 |
| Predecessor: | Paul Vallone |
| Birth Date: | October 28, 1954 |
| Birth Place: | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Party: | Republican |
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.[1] [2] Paladino was re-elected to the New York City Council in 2023, successfully winning the race against Tony Avella for the 19th district seat.[3]
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.[4]
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.”[5]
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.[6]
She has a son, Thomas Paladino Jr, who has also worked as her spokesperson.[7]