Overview
- Voters are filling the Manhattan 3rd District Council seat left open by Erik Bottcher’s move to the State Senate, and the winner will serve only through year end.
- Four candidates are on the ballot, with Carl Wilson, the only openly gay contender backed by Council Speaker Julie Menin, and Lindsey Boylan, endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, viewed as the frontrunners.
- Carl Wilson highlights plans to expand mental health and HIV services for LGBTQ+ residents, push for inclusive shelters and youth programs, and protect access to gender-affirming care.
- Lindsey Boylan proposes a $20 million city fund for gender-affirming care, a $15 million legal defense fund for local LGBTQ+ groups, and stronger anti-discrimination agencies, and she opposes proposed protest “buffer zone” bills.
- The district includes the Stonewall Inn and has elected LGBTQ+ councilmembers since 1992, which helps explain why representation and protest rights loom large for many voters.