In the heart of Lower Manhattan, incumbent council member Christopher Marte’s detachment from the needs of most residents has drawn him three primary challengers. One of them, Jess Coleman, champions the policies that would make the district and city more affordable, sustainable, and safe.

Three quarters of District 1 residents are renters. However, Marte voted against the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity to create 80,000 more homes citywide—the only no vote in Manhattan. He has opposed 100% affordable housing for low-income seniors and multiple safe havens—the kind of shelter most effective at getting New Yorkers who are living on the street into housing. In a dense, walkable neighborhood, Marte has criticized congestion pricing, sought the reopening of Park Row to cars, and led the full City Council to shut down a beloved street cafe. Marte's opposition to change often seems better suited for the suburbs than to dense downtown Manhattan. He is aligned with the preferences of a small group of homeowners and drivers—but not the district at large.

Challenging him are Jess Coleman, a lawyer and community activist born and raised in the district; Elizabeth Lewinsohn, a former NYPD official and chair of Gotham Park; and Eric Yu, a Chinatown native who works for the MTA. All three serve on Community Board 1, the local body made up of volunteer appointees tasked with representing the neighborhood in city decision-making. Coleman and Lewinsohn have raised significant funds. However, Lewinsohn has not qualified for the public matching funds that come from getting support from many grassroots donors across the district. Lewinsohn has critiqued Marte's failure to engage with Gotham Park, his pro-car stances, and his opposition to Haven Green, and she would certainly be an improvement.

Coleman, however, is best. He embraces increased supply to address the affordability crisis, paired with strong tenant protections and housing-first approaches to homelessness; he has been extremely vocal in support for congestion pricing, pedestrianization, and outdoor dining. Coleman has garnered significant institutional support from multiple Democratic clubs, including the Stonewall Democrats (the city’s premier LGBTQ+ Democratic Club) and NYU College Dems. As the choice for younger, forward-thinking voters, he should be the number one choice for voters in the district.