While campaign rivals typically cross paths at community events or on the debate stage, Democrat Phil Wong and Republican Alicia Vaichunas have to face each other every time they sit down at work.
Both candidates share an office with their boss, Councilmember Bob Holden.
The conservative Democrat is being term-limited out of his seat – and has previously endorsed both Wong and Vaichunas to succeed him. That could make for some hijinks, but both insist there are no Dwight and Jim-style shenanigans in their office.
“ I guess everybody's worried about the dynamic of the office. How it would be? Would I make it awkward? Would Phil make it awkward?” Vaichunas said. “We sat down and we said, we're gonna do this, but the job comes first.”
Vaichunas and Wong have known each other since attending elementary school in Elmhurst. They reconnected in 2016 while protesting a Holiday Inn that was converted into a homeless shelter, which Holden also opposed. They went on to volunteer on Holden’s City Council campaign. Now, Vaichunas is Holden’s deputy chief of staff, while Wong serves as his budget director.
“ I always said he was my work husband and I was his work wife,” Vaichunas said. “When we volunteered, we were together more than our own families.”
The candidates insist they’re keeping it cordial. Vaichunas even handed out palm cards in support of Wong during the Democratic primary. (Vaichunas ran unopposed as the Republican nominee.)
“When I found out Phil won, I was happy,” Vaichunas said. “I was so relieved. The community's going to be safe whoever wins.”
The two generally agree when it comes to their platforms.
Councilmember Bob Holden at an animal rights rally in 2024.
“ I don't see the difference in our policies that much. I'll be honest with you,” Vaichunas said. They both oppose Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” policies to expedite the construction of housing, as well as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Interborough Express light rail project to connect parts of Queens to Brooklyn. They aren’t fans of congestion pricing or a battery storage facility planned for Middle Village.
The candidates acknowledged it’s up to voters to pick the personality they prefer.
“She is the kind that will raise her fist or breathe down your back until you get her problem resolved,” Wong said. “I will invite everyone to the desk. To get anything resolved, you need the people [to] come to your table. That’s my strength.”
Vaichunas agreed.
“ Phil has a more calm approach to a lot of things,” Vaichunas said. “I don't take no for an answer when I know I feel things. When I sit down with a constituent, I go with my gut and when an agency tells me no, I don't accept that when I know I'm right.”
They also differ over whether they would pursue legislation sponsored by their boss. Wong committed to introducing all of Holden’s bills to the council if he were to win. Vaichunas was a bit more cautious.
“I just would have to read into them,” Vaichunas said. “I'm going to have different opinions [from] Councilmember Holden.”
Wong and Vaichunas have maintained that they plan to hire each other regardless of who wins. Holden said that’s a win for the community.
“The neighborhood will win because both had vowed to keep the office together,” Holden said. “When do you ever hear that?”
Holden has run on both Democratic and Republican party lines and is a member of the council’s “Common Sense Caucus.”
“ That's what this office is — we have Democrats and Republicans here,” said Holden. “My office at one point was 50-50 and it wasn't on purpose… it just turned out that way.”
Holden, who endorsed both candidates in the primaries, has since remained neutral. Back in November 2024, he had enlisted Wong as his potential replacement, in hopes that someone from the office would run.
Two months later, Vaichunas announced her candidacy.
“I didn't think that we’d have two, but great,” Holden said. “Their allegiance will always be the community and not special interests.”
Both Wong and Vaichunas agree.
“You don't answer to the party,” Vaichunas said, “you gotta answer to the people that voted you [in].”
“And to do that is to run an office that always addresses the needs of the constituents,” Wong added.
For now, both candidates continue to work in the 30th District's office by day, while in the evening they run their campaigns on the floor below, across the hall from each other.
“We respect each other,” Wong said. “There are no open battles. We probably argue about where to get lunch.”
