Before a crowd of cheering supporters, plus his mom and dad, Erik Bottcher celebrated his win in the Third City Council District primary election on Tuesday night.
To watch a video of his speech, click here.
He’s not technically the winner yet since he didn’t get 50 percent of the vote in the first round. But after taking 47 percent of the vote, he’s assured of winning during the ranked-choice process. There won’t be a general election for District 3 in November because there are no Republicans or third-party candidates running.
“This is a grassroots movement,” Bottcher, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s chief of staff, told his supporters.
He noted that he had 1,000 individual contributors who made financial contributions to his campaign, calling it a record for the district.
“We did it without accepting a dime from real estate developers, corporate PACs, the fossil fuel industry,” he added.
Bottcher thanked his five election opponents and declared that he wants to work with them moving forward.
“I look forward to partnering with all of you to continue serving our community together,” he said, “by bringing New York back better and we’re going to come together.”
The winner gave credit to the 3,700 volunteers who pitched in for his election effort, which he noted is more than work on congressional campaigns. More than 50,000 phone calls were made to voters on his behalf.
It took Bottcher several minutes to thank by name all the unions and organizations that supported his candidacy, from the United Federation Teachers, League of Conservation Voters and StreetsPAC to unions representing musicians, ironworkers, hotel workers, construction workers, healthcare and communication workers, freelancers and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.
“We’ve got to do more against gun violence,” he stressed.
His voice hoarse, he said it was from having spoken to virtually every voter in District 3 during the campaign.
There is one group who did not benefit from all the positive skills you give, Mr. Bottcher. Walk down any main street past the empty stores and these are the ones who he failed. If you do not know what I am referring to, it is a pending bill, Small Business Jobs Survival Act, which would give all business owners the right to renewal, 10-year leases and equal rights to negotiate fair lease terms needed to survive. Eric was amending the bill for a minor change and move it to a vote with 28 sponsors and easy passage. That was Oct 2018 and nothing was done as hundreds of businesses and jobs were lost waiting for a real lifeline that Mr. Bottcher had no intention of ever throwing. Once in the City Council he will never even try to save one business or job.
From time to time a political candidate emerges on the horizon who is just the type of person, based on talents, skills, thoughts, policy positions and personality, to eclipse their electoral competition. With Mr. Bottcher’s primary election win, it isn’t only the residents of the 3rd District who will benefit from his future service on the NYC Council. Indeed, it is the entire City of New York, the metro area and the state that will be the ultimate beneficiaries of Bottcher’s tenure. Excelsior!