Manhattan Council Member Erik Bottcher tells amNewYork he's running for Congress to combat autocracy in America | amNewYork

"City Council Member Erik Bottcher threw his hat in the ring on Thursday for next year's increasingly crowded Democratic primary to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, whose 12th Congressional District covers much of central Manhattan from west to east. Bottcher, 46, who has represented west Manhattan neighborhoods including Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen since 2022, is pitching himself as the strongest candidate in the race for taking on what he described as Republican President Donald Trump's corruption, chaos, cruelty and incompetence."

"The 12th Congressional District was redrawn in the 2022 redistricting to cover much of Manhattan from above 14th Street to below Harlem. That includes voter-rich neighborhoods like the Upper West and Upper East Sides as well as Midtown. Bottcher made his candidacy official after launching an exploratory committee to begin fundraising early last month, Gay City News reported. His campaign reported raising nearly $700,000 in the first 24 hours after opening the committee."

Erik Bottcher entered the Democratic primary to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York's 12th Congressional District. The district spans much of Manhattan from above 14th Street to below Harlem and includes the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Midtown. Bottcher has represented Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen on the City Council since 2022 and positions himself as a strong challenger to President Donald Trump, citing concerns about corruption and threats to constitutional norms. The campaign launched an exploratory committee and reported nearly $700,000 raised within 24 hours. Bottcher's biography highlights his LGBTQ+ upbringing and prior struggles.

Read at www.amny.com