All of the four leading candidates for the special election  on April 28 to fill the now-empty seat of Erik Bottcher for Council District 3 are well-qualified.  CD3 includes parts of Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Times Square, and the Garment District, up to 54th St. on the West Side, map here.   

All four filled out our candidates survey, showing  a deep understanding on the education issues affecting students and schools in the district and citywide.  After discusssion, we decided to rank Layla-Law Gisiko first, and Lindsey Boylan and Leslie Boghossian Murphy second and third. 

Layla has the most granular understanding of how the planning process needs to be revamped to ensure sufficient school space is created along with new housing, and the way in whihch DOE should align its enrollment policies with smaller classes.  The other three also showed admirable understanding of local and systemwide education issues.  Carl Wilson was the weakest among them on the the need to reform mayoral control. 

Yet any of the four candidates, and especially the three we’ve ranked would make excellent Council Members.   Early voting runs from April 18, 2026 – April 26, 2026, with the actual election day April 28. Hours and locations of the polling places are here; more info here.  Whoever wins will have to face another primary less than two months later, on June 23.