Erik Bottcher: Career Timeline
Early Career and LGBTQ Advocacy (2009-2011)
Bottcher began his career in public service in 2009 as the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS Community Liaison in the New York City Council's community outreach unit, a position he held under Council Speaker Christine Quinn . In that role, he organized grassroots campaigns on hate crimes, transgender rights, housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, and marriage equality . In 2011, he transitioned to the state level as the statewide LGBTQ Community Liaison in Governor Andrew Cuomo's office . On his first day in the governor's office, Cuomo tasked him with analyzing why the 2009 marriage equality bill had failed in the state legislature and developing a strategy to pass it . Bottcher helped coordinate an unprecedented grassroots campaign working with activists from Buffalo to Montauk, and New York became the largest state at that time to legalize same-sex marriage when the Marriage Equality Act passed in 2011 .
Chief of Staff to Corey Johnson (2015-2021)
In 2015, Bottcher re-entered city politics as chief of staff to City Council Member Corey Johnson, who subsequently became City Council Speaker . During these six years, Bottcher developed a detailed knowledge of every block on Manhattan's West Side while providing constituent services to tens of thousands of residents and working alongside tenant associations, block associations, community boards, and local organizations . This period established his reputation as a hands-on operator with deep roots in the neighborhoods he would later represent .
City Council Member, District 3 (2022-2026)
In February 2020, Bottcher announced his candidacy for the City Council District 3 seat being vacated by the term-limited Johnson . He won the June 2021 Democratic primary with 47 percent of first-choice votes on election night, ultimately defeating runner-up Arthur Schwartz 71 to 29 percent after ranked-choice tabulation . He faced no opposition in the November 2021 general election and took office on January 1, 2022 . During his Council tenure, Bottcher served on committees including Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction; Public Housing; Small Business; Technology; and others . He became co-chair of both the Council's LGBTQIA+ Caucus and the Manhattan Delegation . He was reelected in 2023, defeating Robert Bobrick in the general election, and again in the June 2025 Democratic primary, where he won by a commanding margin before defeating Dominick Romeo in the November 2025 general election .
Congressional Bid and Pivot to State Senate (2025-2026)
In October 2025, Bottcher filed to run for the U.S. House seat in New York's 12th Congressional District, which was opening due to the retirement of Representative Jerry Nadler . His campaign raised nearly $700,000 in its first 24 hours . However, in late December 2025, Bottcher announced he was dropping out of the crowded congressional race and would instead seek the state Senate seat in District 47, which was being vacated by Brad Hoylman-Sigal following his election as Manhattan Borough President .
New York State Senator, District 47 (2026-Present)
Bottcher secured the Democratic nomination for the February 3, 2026 special election and won with 91.6 percent of the vote against Republican Charlotte Friedman, who received 7.6 percent . He was sworn in on February 4, 2026, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins welcomed him on the floor that day . As a state senator, Bottcher chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Cities 1 and sits on committees including Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; Environmental Conservation; Judiciary; Libraries; Civil Service and Pensions; and Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders . He must stand for election again for a full two-year term in the November 2026 general election .