Gay NYC Council member Erik Bottcher drops U.S. House bid, will run for state Senate instead

""This decision is rooted in where I believe I can do the most good immediately," Bottcher said in a statement. "The State Senate is where critical decisions are being made on housing affordability, addressing the mental health crisis, safeguarding our environment, and defending New York from the Trump agenda. At a moment when MAGA extremists are attacking our freedoms and undermining democracy, strong state leadership matters more than ever.""

"Bottcher had filed to run for the U.S. House seat in New York's 12 th Congressional District in October and raised $700,000 the first day. He officially launched his campaign the following month. Jerry Nadler, a Democrat and strong LGBTQ+ ally, is retiring after serving in the House since 1991. The state Senate district, the congressional district, and Bottcher's City Council district are all on the West Side of Manhattan."

Erik Bottcher, a gay New York City Council member and Democrat, is ending his run for Congress to run for New York State Senate District 47. Brad Hoylman-Sigal is vacating the State Senate seat to become Manhattan borough president. Bottcher said the State Senate is where immediate impact can be made on housing affordability, the mental health crisis, environmental protection, and defending New York from the Trump agenda. Bottcher previously filed for the U.S. House 12th District, raised $700,000 the first day, and launched his campaign after Jerry Nadler announced retirement. A special election for the Senate seat is expected early 2026, and Bottcher is likely to secure the Democratic nomination, which would likely prompt a special election for his City Council seat.

Read at Advocate.com