January 21, 2026 NEW YORK, NYThe spotlight is shifting on the West Side, and it isn't for a curtain call. Carl Wilson, the former actor who traded regional theater stages for the high-stakes drama of City Hall, has officially thrown his hat into the ring. On Tuesday, Wilson launched his campaign to represent Manhattan’s District 3, aiming to succeed his current boss, Council Member Erik Bottcher.
With Bottcher favored to win a special election for the State Senate on February 3, the race for his seat is already reaching a fever pitch. Wilson isn't just running; he’s walking onto the stage with an army of political heavyweights behind him.
From Center Stage to Chief of Staff
Wilson’s story is the ultimate New York evolution. Arriving from Maryland in 2009 to study acting at NYU, he spent years waiting tables and performing in workshops—the classic struggle of a West Side artist. Everything changed in 2016.
"I was so disheartened by the state of leadership in this country," Wilson says. "I thought people who care about this stuff have got to get off the sidelines and get into the fight."
He didn't just join the fight; he helped lead it. After founding the Hell’s Kitchen Democrats and toppling old-school political machines, he rose through the ranks as a community liaison for former Speaker Corey Johnson before becoming Bottcher’s Chief of Staff. Now, he’s ready to occupy the seat himself.
The "Insider" Edge: A Powerhouse Coalition
While most candidates struggle for name recognition, Wilson is drowning in endorsements. His campaign launch included "Day One" nods from:
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City Council Speaker Julie Menin
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City Comptroller Mark Levine
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Former Speakers Corey Johnson and Christine Quinn
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A roster of tenant leaders from NYCHA’s Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses.
The Battle Plan: Affordability and "The Evil Skeleton Key"
Wilson isn't shying away from the grit of the district. He identifies affordability—from skyrocketing grocery bills to the housing crisis—as the top priority. But he’s also taking aim at a new legal threat: Pretermission.
As an ally to immigrant advocates, Wilson is sounding the alarm on "Pretermission," a legal tactic used by Homeland Security to shut down asylum cases prematurely. "It’s like an evil skeleton key to shut down the immigration court," says former Comptroller Brad Lander, a sentiment Wilson echoes as he vows to protect the district’s vulnerable LGBTQ+ and immigrant populations.
