Video of City Council District 2 Candidate Forum; Council District 1 Forum May 30

Monday we held a lively forum for candidates running to represent City Council District 2 in the June 27 primary election. That district will now include all of Greenwich Village east of 6th Avenue and north of Houston Street, as well as all of the East Village and NoHo, and most of the east side between 14th and 30th Streets, First and Fifth Avenues (map).

The incumbent, City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, once again refused to participate (she also refused in 2021), though she was afforded the opportunity to have the forum scheduled around her availability. The conversation covered issues ranging from landmarking and rezonings to affordable housing, small business preservation, and local hospital services. The primary election for the seat is June 27, with early voting from June 17-25. The general election is November 7, and the winner will take office in the newly drawn district on January 1, 2024 for a two-year term. 

From left: City Council District 1 Candidates Christopher Marte, Susan Lee, Helen Qiu, and Ursila Jung

We’re also hosting a virtual forum for candidates for the newly drawn City Council District 1 on May 30 at 6 PM. That district will now cover nearly all of Manhattan south of Houston Street (map). Candidates include incumbent City Councilmember Christopher Marte, as well as Susan Lee, Helen Qiu, and Ursila Jung, all of whom are scheduled to appear and have agreed to participate. Like the May 15 forum, this will focus on preservation, land use, planning, and small business preservation issues. 

May 17, 2023