Ripple effects from recent elections are being felt in Chelsea and its nearby nabes, turning winter’s normal dormancy into a whirlwind of online forums, in-person petitioning, and endorsement announcements—all part of the process culminating in April 28’s Special Election for City Council District 3.

That seat was vacated last week, when Erik Bottcher handily won his bid to become the NYS Senator representing District 47. (Bottcher succeeds longtime office holder Brad Hoylman-Sigal, now in his second month as Manhattan Borough President.)

That leaves one more political puzzle piece in play—with a field of familiar locals seeking to represent the Hudson Square, West Village, Chelsea, Hudson Yards, Meatpacking District, Garment District, Times Square, and Hell’s Kitchen areas that comprise Council District 3.

Chelsea Community News recently sent each candidate the same set of questions, yielding detailed and revealing Q&As from: 

—Council District 3 Candidate Leslie Boghosian Murphy

—Council District 3 Candidate Layla Law-Gisiko

—Council District 3 Candidate Carl Wilson

And, directly below, Council District 3 Candidate Lindsey Boylan

Scott Stiffler, for Chelsea Community News (CCNews): What makes you uniquely qualified to be the NYC Council District 3 rep, and why are you a candidate?

Lindsey Boylan (Lindsey): I’m running for City Council because I believe every New Yorker deserves to live with dignity and security—and our city government must do more to deliver on that promise. I want to bring strong, values-driven leadership to the Council and work collaboratively to advance an affordability agenda that puts working families first, even when that means challenging the status quo.

I am uniquely qualified because of my background as an urban planner, my experience fighting against entrenched power at the highest levels, and my progressive vision for the district—a vision with enough affordable housing for everyone, where NYCHA tenants are protected, where immigrants do not live in fear, and where everyone can live a life with dignity.

CCNews: If elected, you’ll be in office very shortly thereafter. How will you arrive ready to effectively serve, in terms of top local priorities and relationships with other Council Members?

Lindsey: I have been an activist and advocate for years, and would bring many long-term relationships with me into the Council. I am a policy professional and know the ins and outs of government. In addition to managing several of our city’s parks, I led state-level economic development initiatives and budget negotiations for four years–including helping secure hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for NYCHA, managing the state’s recovery work in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and overseeing the continued rebuilding of New York following Hurricane Sandy. I’m no stranger to government and getting things done that make New Yorkers’ lives better. And above all, I know this district and the needs of our communities. I love our community.

CCNews: Talk about how you’ll use the District Office to serve constituents. Do you currently have a Chief of Staff and a Community Liaison in mind? If so, who? If not, when?

Lindsey: Currently, I am focused on winning this election–and should I win, I will work immediately to find the best and most qualified candidates to fill these essential roles on my team. As a Council Member, I plan to use the District Office not just as a place where my constituents get the help they need, but a place to organize and plan long-term to bring power to our community. I envision an office with hot coffee, book clubs, movie screenings, organizing training, and action planning sessions going late into the night, a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to gather and connect.

CCNews: Does your campaign have a website and/or social media presence? How can a person join your email subscriber list?

Lindsey: Visit our website at lindseyfornyc.com and sign up to support, volunteer, and receive campaign updates. We have social media accounts on Instagram and X: Follow us at @lindseyboylanny on Instagram and @LindseyBoylan on X.

CCNews: Did you vote in the State Senate District 47 Special Election?

Lindsey: I did and, of course, I voted for Erik Bottcher.

CCNews: Do you tend to be an Early Voting or an Election Day participant, and why?

Lindsey: I tend to vote on the first day of Early Voting because it’s exciting. This time I will be voting for myself, so it will be fun to do on Election Day.

CCNews: Talk about the endorsements you’ve received and how they reflect on your stated goals as a candidate. Conversely, how do endorsements given to other candidates in the race reflect on them as well as yourself?

Lindsey: I’m honored to have earned the endorsements of the 504 Democratic Club—the leading citywide Democratic club for New Yorkers with disabilities—alongside two progressive champions in the State Senate, Julia Salazar and Gustavo Rivera. I’m also proud to be endorsed by the New York Progressive Action Network (NYPAN), a grassroots organization fighting for bold, transformative change across our state. These endorsements reflect my deep commitment to building a city where everyday New Yorkers, not just the wealthy and well-connected, can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

Although they are not yet public, we have more exciting endorsements on the way that speak to the values of our campaign and the communities we’re organizing alongside. I’m not going to comment on the endorsements of others. I am focused on our vision—a campaign powered by people, grounded in justice, and ready to deliver real change.

CCNews: CCNews: If elected, do you intend to serve out the full term? How do you feel about the fact that the Special Election you’re running for was compelled by Erik Bottcher’s ascension to another elected position?

Lindsey: I will serve the full term. Council Member Bottcher had a unique opportunity and I voted for him in this election. I wish him success and look forward to working with him moving forward to serve our community.

CCNews: If elected to this and all other terms qualified for, your time in the position would coincide with the next several years worth of changes coming to the two NYCHA properties in Chelsea. What is your position in demolition/construction vs. renovation and public/private partnership matters? What level of influence do you have in those matters, and how will you use that influence?

Lindsey: The situation at Fulton-Elliot Chelsea Houses reflects a broader crisis–decades of neglect and chronic underfunding of NYCHA by all levels of government. I was proud to be one of the earliest contributors to the NYCHA legal fund for FEC because tenants deserve the power and resources to defend their rights and demand meaningful accountability.

While I oppose the full-scale privatization of public housing, I also understand the urgency facing working class residents who have waited far too long for safe, healthy homes. Any plan for repair or redevelopment must be centered on resident priorities and consent, not developer profits.

If this project proceeds, I will use every tool of land use and council oversight to hold Related and its partners accountable to NYCHA residents. That includes fighting for binding guarantees on deep affordability, strong tenant protections, union labor, and clear construction timelines. I will push for enforceable community benefit agreements, demand transparent contracts, and support regular oversight hearings. My office will work alongside NYCHA tenant leaders to ensure residents are not sidelined but are empowered as decision-makers in the future of their homes. Public housing tenants have been left behind for too long. We must change that now.

CCNews: As a Council Member, how will you navigate matters that might be beneficial to the City as a whole vs. what’s best for Council District 3?

Lindsey: I will always put the needs of our constituents first, full stop. That said, there are many issues that are citywide issues, like the cost of rent and groceries and ICE’s brutal attacks on our immigrant communities, that resonate deeply in CD3 [Council District 3] and that I have made core to my campaign. As your Council Member, you will always know that your concerns are my concerns and that everything I do in the Council is to serve you and our city.

CCNews: How will you use your position as a Council Member to influence the annual City Budget process?

Lindsey: Aside from working with my progressive colleagues and the Council at large to deliver the best possible budget for New York and CD3, I plan to take the budget to the people. My team and I will be a constant presence in the district during budget season, communicating with my constituents to demystify the famously opaque budget and build on the community engagement with the budget process that our new Mayor is modeling.

CCNews: This is not your first Q&A with Chelsea Community News. Are there statements in this Q&A that have changed over time or remain particularly relevant for the office you’re currently seeking?

Lindsey: I’m more committed than ever to tackling affordable housing and climate change. These problems have only become more urgent since we last spoke. I still believe in using my platform to champion progressive solutions to the issues plaguing New Yorkers, and I have the same question to voters: Who will fight for the progressive change we need in this city? And my favorite Golden Girl is still Dorothy.

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