Watch and Decide: A Q&A with Lower Manhattan City Council Candidates

The candidates, from left: Jess Coleman, Elizabeth Lewinsohn, incumbent Christopher Marte and Eric Yu. Photos: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

In the June 24 Democratic primary race to represent Lower Manhattan’s District 1 in the City Council, three candidates are seeking to unseat incumbent Christopher Marte [1]. They are Jess Coleman [2], a lawyer who left the profession in January to run for office, Elizabeth Lewinsohn [3], chair of Gotham Park and former policy director for the NYPD’s Counterterrorism Bureau, and Eric Yu [4], a former sergeant in the Marine Corps reserves and currently an expense analyst for the MTA. All three serve on Community Board 1. Marte worked in the financial industry before being elected in 2021, replacing term-limited Margaret Chin. He was reelected in 2023.

The Trib conducted a video interview with the candidates individually, each given the same five questions that were provided at the time of the interview and a one-minute limit per answer. 

What is the single biggest idea that you would work towards that you believe could realistically be accomplished in the next two years?

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The NYPD has begun issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders who violate traffic laws. Do you agree with that type of enforcement and what steps do you think should be taken to curb e-bike safety infractions?

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How can the city balance the needs for affordable housing in this district with what often is the local community's desire for low-scale development or open space?

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Should the city expand the involuntary commitment of people with serious mental illness? Why or why not?

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Only about 7% of eligible voters cast a ballot in the June 2023 primary elections for City Council and other local races. Why is this and what can be done to increase voter participation?