Biography
Ruslan Shamal is a Staten Island broadcaster and small-business owner running as the Republican/Conservative nominee. Born in Belarus, he has lived on Staten Island since 2014, has worked in broadcast media for more than 20 years, and ran unsuccessfully for New York City Council District 49 in 2023. According to a September 2026 news report, his campaign focuses on public safety, bail law changes, and opposing tax increases.[1][2]
Ruslan Shamal emigrated from Belarus and lived in Brooklyn and Massachusetts before settling on Staten Island in 2014.[2] According to his campaign website, he worked blue-collar jobs after arriving in the United States, built a small business and became a longtime radio host; the site also says he lives on Staten Island and works in Brooklyn.[3] He has worked in broadcast media for more than 20 years and runs an e-commerce business, and the report describing his candidacy calls him a radio host.[2] He also opened FurStar Resort, a dog daycare business in Staten Island's Tompkinsville neighborhood.[2]
Shamal ran for New York City Council District 49 in 2023 on the Safe Streets SI Party line and finished second to incumbent Kamillah Hanks, 16.4% to 79.2%.[1] He is the Republican and Conservative Party candidate for State Senate District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot.[1]
- 1.Ruslan Shamal · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.He Escaped Belarus. Now, Radio Host Is Running for Office on Staten Island to Fight Socialism · Bytes Europe · 2026-09 News report
- 3.Ruslan Shamal for NYS Senate · Ruslan Shamal for NYS Senate (campaign website) · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
