Carl Wilson Wins Stonewall District Council Seat in New York City

Former chief of staff to former State Senator Erik Bottcher, Carl Wilson, was declared the winner of the New York City Council’s 3rd District special election on Tuesday night. The district, which includes the Stonewall Inn and the neighborhoods of Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, the West Village and Greenwich Village, counted 43 percent of ballots for Wilson, ahead of Democratic socialist Lindsey Boylan’s 26 percent, Layla Law-Gisiko’s 20 percent and Leslie Boghosian Murphy’s 11 percent, according to unofficial results reported by Gothamist.

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Since 1992 the 3rd District has been represented by openly LGBTQ+ council members, reflecting its status as the birthplace of the modern gay-rights movement. Wilson will become the fifth consecutive openly gay council member for the district.

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Wilson’s victory bolsters the moderate wing of the Democratic Party in a district traditionally aligned with progressive social policies, while preserving an uninterrupted line of LGBTQ+ representation. His campaign platform—affordable housing, expanded crisis-intervention services and transit improvements—signals potential shifts in city policy. The race also highlighted intra-party tensions, as progressive critics questioned whether the district’s historic LGBTQ+ importance warranted a candidate with a stronger left-leaning platform.

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Wilson said his win marks the start of substantive work, citing his role in helping Bottcher pass pro-LGBTQ+ measures and pledging to prioritize trans-rights advocacy. He also highlighted his plan to expand crisis-intervention services as a core component of his agenda. Both Boylan and Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly acknowledged Wilson’s victory, emphasizing a peaceful transition.

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The progressive wing, represented by Boylan’s campaign, argued that the district’s historic LGBTQ+ importance warranted a candidate with a stronger left-leaning platform. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement of Boylan was cited by progressive critics as an attempt to shift the district’s ideological balance.

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• “Winning an election is not the finish line,” — Carl Wilson, Council Candidate

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• “We are living in a moment right now when our trans siblings, our trans brothers and sisters, are under unprecedented threat from the fascist regime in Washington ,” — Carl Wilson, Council Candidate

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• “It’s more important now than ever for allies and folks that care deeply about rights, justice, and equality, to stand up.” — Carl Wilson, Council Candidate

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• “There’s more work to do, and now more than ever people have to be speaking up and standing up for what’s right.” — Carl Wilson, Council Candidate

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Wilson intends to introduce housing and transit legislation while championing trans-rights protections in his first council session.

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