Erik Bottcher, out New York City Councilman, running for the
seat of retiring Congressman Jerry Nadler, and raising nearly $700,000 in
campaign funds in his first 24 hours:
“This congressional district has a proud tradition of
representatives who’ve fought for LGBTQ+ rights, from Bella Abzug to Jerry
Nadler, but we’ve never actually had one of our own at the table. And there’s
an old saying, ‘If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.’ Our community
is under attack in terrifying ways, and it’s time to take the gloves off. I
love my country, and right now it’s being torn apart by [Cankles] and his
neo-fascist forces. This is the moment for all Americans, especially those of
us in public service, to stand up and fight back. I’m out in the community day
and night, every day of the week. People want real representation.
They want to know and feel connected to the people who speak for them. That’s
been at the heart of my work in City Council District 3, and it’s exactly what
I’d bring to the 12th District if I run. I’ve spent my life serving my
community, and serving in Congress would be one of the highest honors
imaginable.”
This historic, grassroots-driven achievement marks the
biggest first-day total in New York State history and one of the biggest
nationwide. Bottcher is one of the city’s most visible LGBTQ+ officials
and a rising star in Democratic politics.
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