NY-12 Democratic nominee?
$366.4K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
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 Bottcher is a Democratic politician and public servant in New York City. He served as a member of the New York City Council representing District 3 (first elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2025) after working in city and state government roles including as chief of staff to Council Speaker Corey Johnson and as an LGBTQ community liaison in the NYC Council and the New York governor’s office. He is a graduate of George Washington University.
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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 Democratic candidate in New York’s 12th Congressional District. A recent opinion piece says his campaign is emphasizing small donations and rejecting corporate PAC, Super PAC, and AI company money, while criticizing Citizens United and outside spending. Earlier coverage noted he was among the Democrats taking part in a candidate forum for the seat.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising