Peter Koo
Encyclopedia
Peter Koo is a New York City
-based American
politician. He is a Republican
member of the New York City Council
, representing City Council District 20, which includes the Queens
neighborhoods of Flushing
, Queensboro Hill, Mitchell Gardens, Kissena Park
, Harding Heights, Auburndale
, and parts of Whitestone
. Koo was elected to the city council seat on November 3, 2009, defeating Democratic Party
nominee Yen Chou, Working Families Party
nominee S.J. Jung, and Green Party
nominee Evergreen Chou. He assumed the position that was held by John Liu
, the New York City Comptroller
. He and Manhattan
Council member Margaret Chin
comprise the Asian-American delegation of the Council. Liu, whom Koo succeeded, also served in the Council from 2002–2009, as its sole Asian-American member.
born in Shanghai
, China
, in 1952. Prior to immigrating to the United States
in 1971, he lived in Hong Kong
. Graduating from the New Mexico College of Pharmacy in 1975, Koo is a pharmacist
who developed a five-store chain of pharmacies called Starside Drugs Pharmacy. Koo used some of the profits from these pharmacies to finance his city council campaign. He has been a member of Queens Community Board 7
. Previously, he had unsuccessfully challenged local state senator Toby Ann Stavisky
. In 2008 he ran unsuccessfully for New York State Senate against incumbent Toby Ann Stavisky
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician. He is a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
, representing City Council District 20, which includes the Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
neighborhoods of Flushing
Flushing, Queens
Flushing, founded in 1645, is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, east of Manhattan.Flushing was one of the first Dutch settlements on Long Island. Today, it is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in New York City...
, Queensboro Hill, Mitchell Gardens, Kissena Park
Kissena Park
Kissena Park is a large park located in the neighborhood of Flushing in the New York City borough of Queens, along Kissena Creek which formerly flowed into the Flushing River. It is bordered on the west by Kissena Boulevard; on the north by Rose, Oak, Underhill, and Lithonia Avenues; on the east...
, Harding Heights, Auburndale
Auburndale, Queens
Auburndale is a neighborhood in the northern part of the New York City borough of Queens, between Bayside and Murray Hill. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community Board 11.The name comes from Auburndale, Massachusetts, the home of L. H...
, and parts of Whitestone
Whitestone, Queens
Whitestone is a residential neighborhood in the northernmost part of the City of New York borough of Queens. Located between the East River to the north and 25th Avenue to the south. Whitestone is surrounded by College Point, Flushing, Bayside, Auburndale, Linden Hill, and Murray Hill...
. Koo was elected to the city council seat on November 3, 2009, defeating Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee Yen Chou, Working Families Party
Working Families Party
The Working Families Party is a minor political party in the United States founded in New York in 1998. There are "sister" parties to the New York WFP in Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Oregon, but there is as yet no national WFP...
nominee S.J. Jung, and Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
nominee Evergreen Chou. He assumed the position that was held by John Liu
John Liu
John Chun Liu is a New York City elected official, currently serving as New York City Comptroller. Liu previously served on the New York City Council representing District 20...
, the New York City Comptroller
New York City Comptroller
The Office of Comptroller of New York City is the chief fiscal officer and chief auditing officer of the city. The comptroller is elected, citywide, to a four-year term and can hold office for three consecutive terms. The current comptroller is Democrat John Liu, formerly a member of the New York...
. He and Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
Council member Margaret Chin
Margaret Chin
Margaret Chin is a New York City-based American politician. A Democrat, she was elected to the New York City Council on November 3, 2009, to represent District 1 in Lower Manhattan, which includes, amongst other neighborhoods and sites, Chinatown, the Financial District, City Hall, and the site...
comprise the Asian-American delegation of the Council. Liu, whom Koo succeeded, also served in the Council from 2002–2009, as its sole Asian-American member.
Personal background
Koo is a Chinese AmericanChinese American
Chinese Americans represent Americans of Chinese descent. Chinese Americans constitute one group of overseas Chinese and also a subgroup of East Asian Americans, which is further a subgroup of Asian Americans...
born in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, in 1952. Prior to immigrating to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1971, he lived in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Graduating from the New Mexico College of Pharmacy in 1975, Koo is a pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
who developed a five-store chain of pharmacies called Starside Drugs Pharmacy. Koo used some of the profits from these pharmacies to finance his city council campaign. He has been a member of Queens Community Board 7
Queens Community Board 7
The Queens Community Board 7 is a local governmental advisory board in New York City, encompassing the neighborhoods of Flushing, Bay Terrace, College Point, Whitestone, Malba, Murray Hill, Linden Hill, Beechhurst, Queensboro Hill and Willets Point, in the borough of Queens...
. Previously, he had unsuccessfully challenged local state senator Toby Ann Stavisky
Toby Ann Stavisky
Toby Ann Stavisky represents the in the New York State Senate which comprises the Queens neighborhoods of Bay Terrace, Bayside, Beechhurst, Clearview Gardens, Flushing, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Hillcrest, Elmhurst, Electchester, Pomonok, Queensboro Hill, Whitestone, Woodside, Mitchell Linden,...
. In 2008 he ran unsuccessfully for New York State Senate against incumbent Toby Ann Stavisky
Toby Ann Stavisky
Toby Ann Stavisky represents the in the New York State Senate which comprises the Queens neighborhoods of Bay Terrace, Bayside, Beechhurst, Clearview Gardens, Flushing, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Hillcrest, Elmhurst, Electchester, Pomonok, Queensboro Hill, Whitestone, Woodside, Mitchell Linden,...
.