Robert Holden

Robert F. Holden (born October 12, 1951) is an American professor, graphic designer, and a former New York City Council member from the 30th district, representing the neighborhoods of Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, and parts of Woodside and Woodhaven in the borough of Queens.

Holden came to elected office after some three decades in Queens civic affairs, most prominently as president of the Juniper Park Civic Association, in which capacity he led local opposition to a 2016 plan to convert a Maspeth hotel into a homeless shelter. He was elected to the council in 2017, defeating the incumbent Elizabeth Crowley in the general election after losing to her in the Democratic primary. One of the most conservative Democrats on the council, he chaired its Committee on Veterans and helped lead the Common Sense Caucus. He was barred by term limits from seeking a further term and left office at the end of 2025. He earned an AAS from the New York City College of Technology, a BA from Queens College, and an MFA from Hunter College, all CUNY schools.

Career Holden is a professional graphic designer and a professor of the same at the New York City College of Technology.

Holden became president of the Juniper Park Civic Association, a Maspeth-based community group, in 1990 and held the post for about 25 years. Juniper Berry is the association's magazine.

New York City Council 2017 election Holden, a long-registered Democrat, In the general election, Holden ran on the Republican, Conservative, Reform Party lines, as well as the independent "Dump de Blasio" line. Despite not being a registered member of the Republican party, he was able to receive the county's nomination by obtaining a Wilson Pakula authorization.

Holden won a tight race, garnering 10,653 votes to Crowley's 10,426.

In the council Holden chaired the Committee on Veterans and sat on committees including public safety, fire and emergency management, parks and recreation, technology, and environmental protection. He was frequently described as the most conservative Democrat on the council.

Term limits barred Holden from seeking another term in 2025. Two members of his council staff, Phil Wong and Alicia Vaichunas, ran to succeed him. Holden endorsed Wong, who won the general election in November 2025 and took office the following January.

Political views Public safety In April 2023 Holden was a witness at a field hearing of the House Judiciary Committee held in Manhattan on violent crime, at which the committee's Republican majority criticised the policies of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Holden, the only Democratic elected official to testify, said that serious offences were being charged as lesser ones. His participation drew criticism from other New York Democrats, which he publicly rejected.

Animal welfare Holden opposes the operation of horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, which he describes as "torture". He has authored legislation to phase out the horse-drawn carriage industry and retrain drivers in other fields.

Polish heritage recognition In 2018, Holden sponsored resolutions to recognize Polish Independence Day, Tadeusz Kosciuszko Day, and Casimir Pulaski Day in New York City. The Ridgewood neighborhood in Holden's district has a significant Polish American population.

Land use and zoning In 2024, Holden fought to keep parking minimums in the New York City zoning code. During reform negotiations, there were proposals to reduce parking requirements for buildings near transit stations. Holden argued for parking mandates, saying, "It’s gotten so bad in parts of my district, including Maspeth, Middle Village and Ridgewood, that the firehouses are telling me when they go to a fire they can’t find the hydrant because it’s blocked by somebody parking."

Transportation Holden is a staunch critic of proposals to implement congestion pricing, calling it a "ridiculous tax that's going to kill New York City."

Election history 2017

2021

Holden is a registered Democrat but received the Republican party's nomination after losing the Democratic primary.

Personal life As of 2017, Holden had been married to his wife, Amy, for 44 years. They have three children and three grandchildren.