Helen Qiu

Helen Qiu earned a bachelor's degree from Zhongshan University in 1990, and a graduate degree from the Reformed Seminary in 2007 and from Columbia University in 2010. Her career experience includes working as a pastor, teacher, engineer, and engineering manager. Qiu has been affiliated with the New York City Education Council.[1]

Helen Qiu has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

If you are Helen Qiu, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Helen Qiu to fill out this survey by using the button below.

Helen Qiu did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

Helen Qiu did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Helen Qiu did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased April 20, 2022

New York State Assembly election

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a former senior engineering Project Manager, I consider it my duty to save New York from corrupt and robotic State Legislators in Albany. New York State is in 160 billion dollars of debt. We do not feel safe walking the streets or taking subways. We hesitate attending a dinner or concert due to the reckless cashless bail reform law allowing 80% of gun-related violent criminals back on the streets within hours. Our charity and high tax dollars are housing medically unscreened people in luxury Times Square hotels. New Yorkers are being forced to leave the city. The answer: Vote Helen Qiu 丘海倫 for NYS Assembly, District 65.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Safe MTA, Repeal Cashless BailEnd All Mandates, Rehire WorkersParental Rights for Children's Education

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. Public Safety:

a) Repeal Cashless Bail reform, improve prison conditions, fund NYPD

b) Fund MTA security, elevators and protection rails

c) Issue E-Bike & E-Scooter licenses with speed limits

2. Mental Illness & Drug Recovery: provide holistic treatment and recovery centers in new developments in New York State

3. Housing:

a) Preserve NYCHA from sale, stop useless scaffolding and projects, ensure funding goes to residents, install

more public lighting, purge rats, secure entrances, upgrade playgrounds

b) Affordable Housing: put New York seniors and single-parent families first

c) Create jobs and provide private cabins for homeless in New York State

4. Climate & Environment: keep East River Park, beautify streets, sponsor and encourage neighborhood small gardens

5. Education:

a) Place armed guards in all public schools

b) Uphold merit-based admission, defend SHSAT and G&T, promote bilingual and career-based programs, reject

gender theory

c) Liberate from covid mandates

6. Small Businesses:

a) Reduce regulations & taxes, eliminate draconian fines

b) Defend small landlords as small businesses, protect private property

c) End all mandates, back to normalcy, rehire workers

7. State Debt: curtail New York’s 160 billion dollars of debt, cut useless projects and utopia charity, put New Yorkers first

8. Tourism: stop congestion price taxes, open Park Row, expand free tourism buses of lower Manhattan to Chinatown and Little Italy

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Queen Elizabeth I from 16th Century. She was a quintessential role model of how protestants must engage in politics and she saved England from Spain.

I wrote a Masters's Thesis on Queen Elizabeth I, titled: "Coronation as Ordination: Legal and Religious Justification for Elizabeth I as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England".

Favorite Quote:

"I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field".

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Godfather.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Justice and Mercy.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Genuine, Creative, and Humorous.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Make life easier, happier and wealthier for their constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That politics can be honorable.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

June 4th, 1989, China. I was 20 years old and a Junior in college.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked as an electrical engineer after graduating from college in Guangzhou, China. I worked for six months and then I came to America for graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. At the time it was very difficult to obtain a student visa to the United States. Every week, more than one thousand students would attempt to apply for a visa, and I was the only student to receive one for an entire week. I felt very blessed to have the opportunity to come to the United States and create my life here. I treasure the freedom and opportunity America provides, and this is the foundation of my motivation to serve New Yorkers in Assembly District 65.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible, because God is interesting.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The third little pig.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Not writing "optional" political [the profile publisher] surveys until 3:17am in the morning of October 5th, 2022.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I believe a bi-partisan government is better than a partisan government. The Governor must be capable of listening to the diverse opinions of the State Legislature. The Governor should work actively with the State Legislature to ensure bills pass with the most consensus. The State Legislature should not grant unchecked executive power to the Governor for longer than six months.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Crime and debt.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

The benefit is saving money and time to get things done. The drawback is greater than the benefit because a unicameral state legislature will lose the checks and balances between the upper and lower houses. Above all, a supermajority of a single party with either the upper house or lower house will have the most drawbacks and least benefits in any government construction.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, it is. However, in 2022 with the challenges facing New York, I believe change and a fresh perspective are needed. There are three forces that make me a better candidate in this race for New York State Assembly 65:

1. I am a Christian Pastor. I have worked with homeless people for many years. New York has a homeless crisis and lacks solutions because career politicians sit in their easy chairs and dream about solutions, while never shaking hands with or talking with those homeless.

2. I am a Creative Problem Solver. Having worked as an engineer and engineering manager, I have solved many challenging problems with creative solutions. I believe my skillset will be transferable.

3. I have Common Sense and No Special Financial Interests. Our City and State are in ruins, not because we don't have resources -- New York State has the highest tax bracket in America -- but because career politicians ruin our state and city with insane policies stemming from an obscured understanding of "justice", such as the cashless bail law. This law allows over 80% of gun-related criminals back on the streets within hours. I will bring back common sense and real justice for New York.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Of course. I am interested to get to know more about my colleagues so I can understand their viewpoints better and work more effectively with them to get things done.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I don't have a strong objection to the current redistricting of Assembly District 65, although I wonder why wouldn't I have both Baruch houses and Lillian Wald houses. Why would Baruch be removed from my map? More surprisingly, two buildings in Lillian Wald don't belong in my district, while the rest of them do. This seems unnecessarily complicated to me.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

After studying the many committees in New York State Assembly, I am open to working with any committees providing the other members welcome me. I believe I will contribute well to any committee.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

N/A

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

The one I see in the mirror, of course! ... I hope you like my Seinfeld humor.

Honestly, I believe I can learn many things from each and every one of my colleagues.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

At this point, I'm focused on running for New York State Assembly and doing a good job after I'm elected. I hope to deliver for my people of Assembly District 65, Lower East Side, Manhattan.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes. I have heard many stories that affirm my heart calling to run for office and serve the people of Assembly District 65. One gentleman told me that crime was particularly rampant during former Mayor Dinkins' administration. The man was taken to a corner, stripped of ALL his clothes and robbed of everything he had. I was shocked to hear his story -- he said not even underwear was left on his body. He told me he felt that crime was about to hit rock bottom in New York again, similar to that awful period. That's why he strongly supports my candidacy because he believes I will save New York.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Q: Why did the Chicken Cross the Road?

A: To Vote for Helen Qiu.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes, the legislature should oversee and grant the use of emergency powers, which should not exceed six months timeframe.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise means both sides and all sides compromise. I intend to work with my colleagues to get things done for the benefit of my people in New York State Assembly District 65, Lower East Side.

Congressional election

Helen Qiu did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.