Harvey Epstein racks up more political support for Council bid

BY THE VILLAGE SUN | Two weeks after announcing his 2025 City Council campaign, Harvey Epstein continues to roll out local politicians’ endorsements.

Over the past week, he announced the support of Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Congressmember Dan Goldman and state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

The week before, he secured the nods of Congressmember Jerry Nadler, state Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Councilmember Keith Powers.

And, at his launch, he received the backing of former Councilmembers Rosie Mendez and Margarita Lopez, who, between the two of them, represented District 2 for 20 years.

In a video endorsement, Albany veteran Glick said, “Harvey is hard-working, he works smart, he is dedicated to progressive issues, and he has his finger on the pulse of the community, and he’s always standing up for all people in his district.”

Announcing my newest endorsement for City Council District 2 @DeborahJGlick! pic.twitter.com/5ZcEHQ7yF5

— Harvey Epstein (@Harvey4council) May 31, 2024

“Harvey Epstein has been a fierce and effective advocate for New York’s Lower East Side and East Village,” Goldman said. “There is no one better suited for the job, no one more passionate about this community than Harvey.”

Thrilled to receive an endorsement from @danielsgoldman for my candidacy for the City Council, 2nd district. Dan has been a great colleague and a friend. Join our campaign. https://t.co/Y3ITVwuhYv pic.twitter.com/RJMUgvLdKY

— Harvey Epstein (@Harvey4council) June 3, 2024

Hoylman-Sigal praised Epstein as “a highly effective legislator for Manhattanites.” He touted the pol as an expert on tenant issues who helped pass the landmark Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which made rent regulation permanent.

“I believe he will make an excellent councilmember,” he said.

I’m happy to announce that I’ve received the endorsement from @bradhoylman for my candidacy for the City Council, 2nd district. Brad is a champion for our great state and I’m honored to receive his support. Join our campaign. https://t.co/HYLOn6IYtX pic.twitter.com/0J7AHm5uhW

— Harvey Epstein (@Harvey4council) June 6, 2024

Epstein said he has still more political endorsements to come. He has plenty of time to announce them, though: The District 2 Council Democratic primary election is a year away. Yet, Epstein clearly is looking like a juggernaut early on. There’s no word, though, at this point, of any candidates dropping out.

After Epstein’s campaign launch, Sarah Batchu, a former de Blasio staffer who is also running for the East Side seat, said she’d like to see him stay in the state Legislature and give others a chance at the Council seat.

“Harvey has been a valuable partner up in Albany,” Batchu said, “and our community would benefit from his continued presence in the state Assembly.”

However, Epstein responded, “I think everyone should decide what they want to do. I think the voters should decide what I’m going to do.”

Epstein faces no opposition in this month’s Assembly Democratic primary on Tues., June 25. If he wins reelection to the Assembly, followed by winning the City Council race next year, he would resign from the state Legislature and there would be a special election to the fill the seat.

Andrea Gordillo, the chairperson of Community Board 3, is also in the running.

Political observers are also still waiting to see if Allie Ryan, who ran for Council District 2 a year ago, will throw her hat into the ring. Ryan — a proud “cargo-bike mom”/land-use activist — won an impressive 40 percent of the vote in last June’s Democratic primary against incumbent Carlina Rivera.

Rivera, who succeeded her political ally Mendez in the Council, will be term-limited out of the Council at the end of next year. There’s speculation that Rivera, in turn, might run for Epstein’s Assembly seat, but she has previously denied having any discussions with Epstein about it.