# Robert Holden (politician)

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

## Early life and education

Holden was raised in Maspeth, Queens. 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 has also worked as an editor and art director for Juniper Berry magazine, and as a photojournalist published in newspapers and magazines in the United States and Europe. He has had his work exhibited at International Center of Photography, and other galleries.
Holden has been a member of Queens Community Board 5 since 1988.

## New York City Council
### 2017 election

Holden, a long-registered Democrat, ran in the 2017 Democratic primary for New York City Council against incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Crowley, but lost 63.6% to 36.1%. 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.

### 2018

Holden was the prime sponsor in introducing and passing resolutions 420, 421, and 422. The resolutions declared November 11 as Polish Independence Day, October 15 as Tadeusz Kosciuszko Day, and October 11 as Casimir Pulaski Day in New York City, respectively. The bills all passed unanimously on October 31, 2018.

### 2020

Holden has been a staunch critic of proposals to implement congestion pricing in the most congested and polluted areas of New York City. Holden argued, "This ridiculous tax that's going to kill New York City."

### 2024

In 2024, Holden fought to keep parking minimums in New York City. During negotiations to reform zoning in New York City, 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."
In December 2024, Holden voted against a modified version of Mayor Adam's new zoning proposal called The City of Yes legislation; it would allow the conversion and construction of 80,000 new and legal housing units for families across New York City. It awaits Mayor Adam's signature.

## Election history
### 2017

New York City Council, 30th District, Primary election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Elizabeth Crowley (incumbent) | 3,621 | 62.5 |
| Democratic | Robert Holden | 2,050 | 35.4 |
| | Write-In | 16 | 0.2 |
| | Unattributable | 107 | 1.8 |
New York City Council, 30th District, General election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Robert Holden | 8,720 | 40.5 |
| Conservative | Robert Holden | 1,507 | 7.0 |
| Reform | Robert Holden | 189 | 0.9 |
| Dump De Blasio | Robert Holden | 147 | 0.7 |
| Total | Robert Holden | 10,563 | 49.0 |
| Democratic | Elizabeth Crowley | 9,351 | 43.4 |
| Working Families | Elizabeth Crowley | 911 | 4.2 |
| Women's Equality | Elizabeth Crowley | 164 | 0.7 |
| Total | Elizabeth Crowley (incumbent) | 10,426 | 48.4 |
| | Write-in | 11 | 0.2 |
| | Unattributable | 123 | 2.4 |

### 2021

New York City Council, 30th District, Primary election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Robert Holden | 5,250 | 54.6 |
| Democratic | Juan Ardila | 4,324 | 45.0 |
| | Other | 38 | 0.4 |
New York City Council, 30th District, General election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Robert Holden | 10,555 | 52.4 |
| | Democratic | Robert Holden | 7,991 | 39.6 |
| | Conservative | Robert Holden | 1,167 | 5.8 |
| | Total | Robert Holden | 19,713 | 97.8 |
| | Write-ins | Write-ins | 440 | 2.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,153 | 100.0 |
* ^ 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.