State Senate · District 47 →
EB
Erik D. Bottcher
Democratic · Working Families · Incumbent
5 / 9
issues on record
Stances
Taxes
Not on record
New York should raise taxes on its highest earners to pay for public programs.
Raise
Don’t raise
Bail
Not on record
Judges should have more power to hold people in jail before trial.
More power
No change
Congestion pricing
Keep
The Manhattan congestion toll should stay.
Keep
End
Bottcher, then a City Council member, said in January 2026 that congestion pricing is working and praised the Governor for defending it.
“I commend Governor Hochul for standing strong and defending this program, because the data is clear—congestion pricing is working, and New York City is better because of it.”
Office of the Governor · 2026-01-05
Less Traffic, Better Transit: On Its First Anniversary, Governor Hochul Celebrates Transformational Success of Congestion Pricing
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Drafted from the source. Not yet checked by a person.
Immigration
Stay out
Local police should stay out of federal immigration enforcement.
Stay out
Take part
Bottcher co-sponsors the New York for All Act in the Senate. As a Council member in 2025 he also pledged to co-sponsor a Council resolution urging the state to pass it.
NYSenate.gov
Senate Bill S2235B (2025-2026): New York for All Act
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Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club · 2025-02-23
Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Erik Bottcher for City Council District 3
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Drafted from the source. Not yet checked by a person.
Climate law
Keep
New York should keep its 2019 climate law.
Keep
Repeal
Bottcher signed a March 2026 letter from 29 Democratic senators to Governor Hochul saying they categorically oppose any effort to roll back the 2019 climate law. The letter argued the law is not the cause of rising energy costs.
Senate letter (hosted by Lexington Democratic Club) · 2026-03-05
Letter from 29 state senators to Governor Hochul: Upholding New York's Leadership in the Fight Against Climate Change
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Drafted from the source. Not yet checked by a person.
Climate deadlines
Leaning hold
New York should keep its climate law's current deadlines, with no more delays.
Hold
Don’t hold
Bottcher signed a March 2026 senators' letter opposing any rollback of the climate law and saying every delay in climate action drives costs higher. The letter did not address the specific deadline changes later made in the May 2026 budget.
Senate letter (hosted by Lexington Democratic Club) · 2026-03-05
Letter from 29 state senators to Governor Hochul: Upholding New York's Leadership in the Fight Against Climate Change
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Drafted from the source. Not yet checked by a person.
Abortion
Keep
Abortion should stay legal and accessible in New York as it is today.
Keep
Restrict
Asked in a 2025 club questionnaire whether he supports the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion, Bottcher answered yes.
Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club · 2025-02-23
Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Erik Bottcher for City Council District 3
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This is from 2025. It may not be their position today.
Drafted from the source. Not yet checked by a person.
Charter schools
Not on record
New York should allow more charter schools.
Allow more
Keep cap
On the ballot
NYS Board of Elections · 2026-10-07
General Election Ballot Certification (Oct 7, 2026)
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