Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jess Coleman for City Council District 1
Candidate Name: Jess Coleman
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 1
Campaign Website: https://www.jessfornewyork.com/
Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I have spent my life in this community, and I have seen firsthand both its incredible potential and the challenges that hold us back. As a member of Community Board 1 and co-chair of the Transportation Committee, I’ve been on the front lines of the most pressing issues facing our district—whether it’s pushing for solutions to our crippling housing shortage, tackling traffic congestion, or reimagining our streets to put people and small businesses first.
I’ve taken on these fights despite strong opposition from the incumbent and entrenched interests. I was the most vocal advocate at my Community Board in favor of City of Yes (and just one of two votes against the negative resolution), am a consistent champion for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure projects, and stood up to opposition when two homeless shelters were proposed in our district. Meanwhile, our current leadership downtown has put up roadblocks every step of the way, standing in the way of simple, proven solutions to everything from traffic congestion to skyrocketing rents. At a time when affordability is at crisis levels, when small businesses are struggling, and when people feel increasingly disconnected from their government, we need leadership that will fight for working families—not just maintain the status quo.
I represent a new generation that is frustrated with politics as usual but refuses to accept that government has to be broken. My campaign is about proving that it can work—that it should work—for the people who actually live here, not just for the wealthy or the well-connected. That means ensuring tenants and homeowners alike can afford to stay in the city they love, that cyclists and pedestrians aren’t treated as second-class citizens, that we prioritize real community-driven solutions instead of rubber-stamping bad deals behind closed doors.
This election is about a fundamental choice: whether we continue with leadership that has ignored the growing affordability crisis, or whether we build a city that actually works for all of us. I’m running because I believe in the latter. I believe in a New York that is livable, affordable, and safe—not just for the few, but for everyone.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?
I volunteered with the Gay-Straight Alliance in high school, advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion and rights. My wife led a program for the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund at Sullivan & Cromwell, offering free legal services to transgender individuals seeking name changes. As a first-time candidate, I have not made public endorsements, but I have supported local LGBTQ+ candidates in my personal capacity, most recently Ryder Kessler for State Assembly.
If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?
Yes.
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies, and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, and criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump?
I have attended multiple rallies against Trump’s policies over the years, including numerous protests following George Floyd’s murder, such as Occupy City Hall and a Women’s March in Times Square following Trump’s first victory. I also attended a rally
the day after Roe v. Wade was overturned and wrote an op-ed in The New Republic about the failed political and legal strategy on the left, and how to reinvigorate the movement for bodily autonomy.
In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities, and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
We need to build an activated and sustained opposition to Trump, and local representatives play a critical role in that effort. Many young people have disengaged from politics because they don’t see leadership that speaks to their frustration. The result is that people, even if they are horrified by Trump’s actions, do not feel there is any viable vision being offered as an alternative—that we are stagnant and there is nobody truly committed to fighting for them.
There’s a difference between resistance and opposition. Resistance is about removing oneself from the confines of systematic inequities, seeking to tear down structures that are unjust and ought to be disengaged from. Opposition, on the other hand, is about building a true alternative—convincing people that your opponent’s policies are substantively bad, and providing a vision for a new path forward. Both are critical, but they are not mutually exclusive—while we resist Trump’s illegal and unjust policies, we also need to get back to the work of offering a truly impactful alternative message of our own.
That means delivering tangible results, particularly on things like housing and the general disarray being felt by many in their own neighborhoods. When people see that government can work for them—that there is a viable alternative vision, and leaders wiling to fight for it—they will be more inclined to join a broader political effort to oppose the right.
Will you seek or accept endorsements of individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, such as Ruben Diaz Sr., Fernando Cabrera, or Erick Salgado? Will you pledge to denounce their homophobia and anti-choice positions in the event you receive an endorsement from such individuals?
Absolutely not. LGBTQ+ and women’s rights are among the most critical civil rights issues of our time, and I will always stand up for them.
Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes.
Have you hosted, funded, or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
As a first-time candidate, I have not had the opportunity, but I would love to, particularly at local public libraries, which are underutilized and could benefit from more programming that appeals to a broader audience.
What proposals will you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?
We need to strengthen our existing laws by ensuring there is no cooperation between
city officials at any level and ICE. However, the most critical factor is electing a mayor who aligns with these goals, and I am committed to doing whatever I can as a New Yorker to make that happen.
How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I am the only candidate in this race who publicly supported two proposed safe haven shelters in my district, despite strong opposition from some community members and the incumbent council member. Safe havens and housing-first policies are essential in addressing homelessness effectively, and I am committed to seeing that through as a local representative.
If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2970, introduced by Council Member Shahana Hanif? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution?
I am not an incumbent, but I would absolutely co-sponsor this resolution.
If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2917, introduced by Council Member Crystal Hudson? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution?
I am not an incumbent, but I would support this resolution.
Will you join our efforts to pass the New York Elder Parole Bill?
Yes, we need to reduce our jail population, and this is a smart way to do so without compromising public safety.
Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes, in all forms.
Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes. Solitary confinement is torture and, in my opinion, already in violation of international human rights law, to which the United States is bound. I absolutely support codifying this in legislation and, more importantly, holding accountable those who violate the law.
Do you commit to visiting incarcerated constituents and advocating for their release when appropriate?
Yes.
Do you commit to working toward a restorative justice model over a retributive one?
Yes, restorative justice, drug courts, supervised release, and other alternatives have proven to reduce recidivism and heal communities without compromising public safety.
Do you commit to making clemency applications accessible to your constituents?
Yes.
Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?
I ranked Maya Wiley number one.
Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you ruled out? Have you endorsed anyone?
Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams are not fit to run this city. I will not rank either of them. I am leaning toward Assemblymember Myrie and Comptroller Lander as my top choice due to their strong housing and urbanist policies, but I am open to hearing more from all candidates before making a final decision.
Do you support renaming the Ed Koch Bridge?
Yes.
What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for ‘City of Yes’?
I am the only candidate in this race who has been a consistent and vocal advocate for City of Yes and the only one who voted against Community Board 1’s resolution recommending a no vote. I worked tirelessly to change that resolution and engaged extensively with board members and the City Planning Commission. City of Yes is a crucial step toward tackling our housing crisis by eliminating exclusionary zoning, but it is just the beginning.
We need to take bolder steps, including eliminating parking mandates citywide, legalizing multifamily housing citywide, and expanding tenant protections to ensure affordability alongside growth. I also support moving toward charter amendments that would streamline the production of housing, such as consolidating ULURP community
review with the borough president’s office and exempting city-owned land from environmental review hurdles that delay essential projects. Additionally, we need to
focus on social housing—scaling up land trusts, cooperatives, and municipally owned housing to provide stable, permanently affordable options.
Simply put, New York’s housing crisis is the biggest issue we face, and I am committed to breaking through political stagnation to get results. A city that fails to house its people affordably is a failing city, and we cannot allow that to continue.
What are your plans regarding short-term housing?
Safe haven shelters are a proven model and should be expanded. We should also reopen the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute on Randall’s Island and expand Transition to Home, which pairs mental health treatment with housing-first solutions. Additionally, we must streamline the process of connecting people with housing vouchers and supportive housing units that currently sit vacant. We should also ensure adequate
funding for nonprofits that have a specific focus on vulnerable groups, such as LGBTQ youth.
Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?
From a young age, I have been deeply engaged in my community—whether volunteering for my City Council member, coaching Little League, or advocating for change on my local Community Board. I have never shied away from standing up to power, including my incumbent council member, on key progressive issues like housing, safe havens, and congestion pricing. After law school, I carried that momentum forward, writing for national publications on progressive values and quickly rising to a leadership position in my community.
I believe progressives must do more than just talk about our values—we must engage with the public directly, counter opponents in real-time, and fight for our vision of a fairer city every single day. My campaign is about proving that progressive governance can work, and I have the experience, determination, and deep local roots to make that case convincingly.
What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when making an endorsement decision?
I am not a career politician. I am a lifelong resident who simply wants this community to be safe and affordable for everyone. I believe that proving progressive governance can deliver results locally is key to advancing our movement nationally. Many people have lost faith in government. By delivering tangible results, we can start rebuilding trust and showing what is possible.
Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?
No.