Kevin Riley: Quotes and Statements
Riley has spoken publicly about how his father's incarceration shaped his worldview. In a statement upon being sworn into office in January 2021, he reflected on his mother's role as a single parent and characterized his public service as an act of repaying a debt to the community that raised him . In a 2021 interview with Bronx Community College, he described his introduction to politics as serendipitous, recalling a lunch meeting arranged through his fraternity connections with Assemblyman Carl Heastie and Ruben Diaz Jr. that made him curious about the field . He has described his time as a constituent liaison in Heastie's office as the period that solidified his commitment to government service, noting the impact of helping people he encountered daily in his own neighborhood .
During the City of Yes hearings in October 2024, Riley relayed his constituents' concerns about infrastructure strain from increased density, noting that residents raised practical questions about the impact of additional housing on the local sewer system . At the November 2024 committee vote, he framed the central challenge as preserving the rich diversity of neighborhoods while ensuring every community board contributes not only market housing but also affordable housing . In a separate statement, he emphasized that one-family zoned districts represent a valuable resource for maintaining the diversity of housing choices available to New Yorkers .
Following the passage of the FDNY Diversity bills in November 2022, Riley stated that he wanted to ensure the fire department reports on demographic information and abides by anti-discrimination, diversity, and inclusion training to make firehouses a more inclusive place for everybody, especially communities of color . He characterized the legislation as an important first step toward dismantling systemic barriers that have prevented women and people of color from accessing equal job opportunities within the FDNY .
As one of seven council members who formally nominated Menin for Speaker in January 2026, Riley praised her as a proven bridge builder who leads with fairness, transparency, and equity. He expressed confidence that she would lead the Council with integrity, collaboration, and a clear sense of purpose during a period of uncertainty .
Riley has described The Dad Gang as an effort to change how the world views Black fatherhood. He has outlined the organization's programming approach, which includes events where Black fathers gather with their children in public parks to demonstrate positive engagement, with new fathers receiving free strollers . The initiative attracted national media attention through a partnership with the Steve Harvey Show .
Upon declaring victory in the December 2020 special election, Riley described feeling overwhelmed and overjoyed at the prospect of serving the community that raised him. He characterized his upbringing as trying and framed his election as an opportunity to give back . He subsequently told City and State New York that he welcomed the prospect of a competitive 2021 primary, characterizing challengers as part of a functioning democracy where all candidates share the best interest of the community at heart .
In a May 2025 interview with News 12, Riley identified an uptick in youth-related crime as a pressing issue in District 12 and called for a combination of increased policing and preventive programming . He also stated that voters should choose him over his opponent because he has been trustworthy, accountable, and transparent since taking office .