On February 2, the newly formed Kew Forest Republican Club held its inaugural kickoff event at the Aged Steakhouse in Forest Hills. Hosted by restaurant owner Paul Singh, the evening proved an overwhelming success, drawing more than 100 attendees from as far away as Brooklyn and Long Island. The venue was standing room only for most of the night.
The club was founded by a group of professionals – including attorneys, accountants, and prominent business owners – seeking to create a welcoming home for voters who hold conservative values and moderate ideologies. As the Democratic Party has shifted further left, many attendees expressed feeling abandoned, including longtime traditional Democrats now looking for an alternative.
Club founders cited clear electoral trends in Central and Northeast Queens, where numerous election districts have recently flipped red. They believe the time is right for Republicans to reclaim ground in Queens County.
The club’s core principles are straightforward: strong support for the rule of law, backing for local police and first responders, fiscal responsibility, and advocacy for small businesses. Founders highlighted that far too many New York City residents are leaving for red states, where they can afford homes and pursue the American Dream.
They contrasted fiscal management under different administrations: When Mayor Michael Bloomberg left office in 2013, he presented Mayor Bill de Blasio with a balanced budget for the fiscal year beginning July 2014. After 12 years of Democratic control over both City and State government, New York City now faces a projected $2.2 billion budget shortfall. Attendees and founders criticized what they described as proven fiscal irresponsibility: repeated tax increases, cuts to essential services, and diversion of funds to opaque NGOs and nonprofits.
The Kew Forest Republican Club aims to identify and support candidates who share these principles while encouraging active voter engagement across the community.
Among the notables from the Kew Gardens Hills (KGH) community who attended to show support were Alan Sherman, Tzippy Feldman, Rochelle Kirschner, and Avner Hazan. Also present were Bart Haggerty (District Leader in Assembly District 28) and Tony Annunziato (Chair of the Queens County GOP).
The club’s first general meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4. For more information or to get involved, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..