Diamant Hysenaj, a 42-year-old Albanian-American entrepreneur from Gjakova, Kosovo, is stepping into the political arena with his candidacy for U.S. Congress in New York’s 14th District, directly challenging Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In remarks he gave to Gazeta Dielli, Hysenaj explained his political vision, his family’s story, and the reasons he believes the community should rally behind him.
Hysenaj’s journey began in war-torn Kosovo. In 1991, at the age of nine, he fled with his mother and sister to join his father in the South Bronx. He recalls growing up in poverty, not speaking the language, and struggling to adapt, but also experiencing the promise of America. By age eleven, he was delivering newspapers and marching for Kosovo’s freedom. Years later, after losing his home during the 2008 financial crisis, he founded DCG New York Inc., a real estate and development company that today manages over $400 million in assets and has developed more than one million square feet of property. For Hysenaj, this story of resilience and hard work is the proof of the American Dream. “Nothing given, everything earned” he says, repeating the motto that defines both his life and his campaign.
Hysenaj says he is not running for power or wealth, since he has been fortunate to achieve both, but rather to give back and fight for the families of his district. His platform centers on making New York more affordable, safer, and full of opportunity again. He pledges to cut taxes and housing costs, reduce government red tape, and create a stronger climate for business so jobs are created instead of driven away, pointing to the Amazon deal as an example of lost opportunity under Ocasio-Cortez. He vows to fund the police to restore public safety, modernize and streamline legal immigration while securing borders, and expand access to quality healthcare without what he calls “socialist overreach.” For him, New York City should be the capital of opportunity, not “a cautionary tale of decline under failed policies.”
He also speaks openly about values of unity and tolerance, drawing on his marriage to Tereza, with whom he is raising two children, Logan and Nora. Their union, he says, represents two faiths coming together with one future, a symbol of the diversity of NY-14. He insists his campaign is not about political theater but about serving everyday working families who are struggling under high costs, crime, and weak leadership. “For too long, AOC has turned NY-14 into a stage for political stunts while our neighborhoods suffer. Enough is enough.”
A central part of his message is directed at the Albanian-American community. Hysenaj calls on Albanians in New York and across the U.S. to stand as a powerful voting bloc, reminding them of their long history of resilience, from ancient Dardania to the struggle for Kosovo’s freedom. “We are a strong and proud people. Today we must stand united again, to rescue NY-14 from decline.” He emphasizes that his candidacy is not about him but about the community, about restoring faith in leadership, ending what he calls the decay caused by failed socialist policies, and making sure the American Dream remains possible for every family.
Beyond politics, Hysenaj is open about his personal life and passions. He is a devoted husband and father, deeply connected to his Albanian roots, visiting Kosovo several times a year to stay close to his heritage. He is a car enthusiast, passionate about modern sports cars, and is currently pursuing his pilot’s license, driven by a love of flying and adventure. His family, he says, inspires everything he does, and he works tirelessly to instill Albanian traditions and values in his children while also teaching them the blessings and responsibilities of being American.
Speaking of his campaign, Hysenaj says it is growing stronger every day, fueled by working families who want a change. His strategy is simple: direct connection through door-to-door outreach, town halls, and community events, paired with a clear plan to restore affordability and safety. To undecided voters, he offers his personal story as proof of his determination. “I’ve lived what you’ve lived. I’ve faced poverty, setbacks, and struggle—but I never gave up, and I never will. I am not running for money or power; I’m running to give back, to fight for families, and to be a voice for the silent majority who still believe in the promise of America.”
From a young boy fleeing war in Kosovo to a successful entrepreneur in New York, and now a congressional candidate, Diamant Hysenaj frames his candidacy as the continuation of a lifelong journey shaped by resilience, opportunity, and the belief that with hard work, anything is possible. He says he is ready to give New York’s 14th District “a strong, fearless, and authentic voice in Congress,” one that represents both his American Dream and his Albanian pride.
