NY-12 Democratic nominee?
$1.0M
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Council Member
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age47 years old (May 9, 1979)
GenderMale
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LocationNew York
BackgroundPolitician
EducationGeorge Washington University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsErik D. Bottcher is a New York politician and former New York City Council member who represented Council District 3 (including neighborhoods such as Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and Greenwich Village). He previously worked in government as the City Council’s LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS community liaison and later as statewide LGBTQ community liaison in the Governor’s Office, and served as chief of staff to City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. He earned a B.A. from George Washington University and is openly gay.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Erik Bottcher has backed targeted tax relief measures tied to affordable housing preservation (for example, sponsoring local action to implement a reduced shelter-rent tax for Penn South). His public materials emphasize affordable-housing and social-service funding priorities but do not present a clear, comprehensive stance on broader tax policy (e.g., tax increases on high earners or corporate tax changes).
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to mental health and medical services through government action and city programs, including laws requiring on-site mental health care in family homeless shelters and initiatives to increase referrals and treatment capacity. Emphasizes strengthening public behavioral-health services, supportive housing, and targeted services for marginalized communities. Prior work includes authoring and passing Local Law 35 and other legislation to increase city-provided mental-health supports in shelters and schools.
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Immigration & Border
Supports strong sanctuary protections for New York City, opposes efforts to weaken those protections, and has organized resources and services for asylum seekers and immigrants in his district. Has funded local immigrant legal services and worked to connect newly arrived asylum-seekers with housing, education, and other supports. Emphasizes humanitarian reception and rapid connection to long-term solutions rather than permanent sheltering in emergency sites.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding abortion and reproductive healthcare access; co-sponsored New York City Council resolutions and legislation packaging that codify abortion protections, back a state constitutional amendment to protect pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, and designate New York City as a safe haven for abortion care.
Climate & Energy
Supports pro-environment city and state policies including expanding urban tree canopy, citywide curbside composting and zero-waste goals, congestion pricing, reduced single-use plastics, and investments in clean energy and green jobs. Focuses on municipal sustainability measures (trees, composting, waste reduction, protected bike lanes) while endorsing broader clean-energy and climate investment priorities.
Public Safety & Guns
Erik Bottcher supports firearm-safety measures framed as public-health interventions, including legislation to require graphic warning images and safety signage in gun stores to educate purchasers about risks such as suicide and unintentional injury. He has sponsored and publicly advocated for city-level policies intended to reduce harms associated with firearm access.
News
Erik Bottcher is in the news as a candidate in New York’s 12th Congressional District, where the race has centered on AI policy, digital literacy, broadband, and worker protections. He has also been criticizing Super PAC and corporate influence in politics, saying his campaign relies on small donations instead. More recently, the broader NY-12 race has drawn attention because AI-linked super PACs are spending heavily in congressional contests, including in New York.
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Money Is Politics Is Killing America
West Side Dems Host NY-12 Candidate Forum Thursday
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Endorsements
Endorsers of Erik Bottcher for NY-12 Democratic nominee?
United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
Labor organization
The United Federation of Teachers endorsed Erik Bottcher, Diana Moreno, and Keith Powers.
New York League of Conservation Voters Gives Green
Public endorsement
NYLCV Gives Green endorsed Erik Bottcher in a special election.
Public Service Commission (PSC)
Political organization
The Public Service Commission endorsed Erik Bottcher in his special-election campaign.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Fundraising