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Carl Wilson

DEMOCRAT

Carl Wilson is running for New York City City Council Member, District 3, Democratic Primary.

Personal background

Carl Wilson is originally from Bowie, Maryland. He earned a bachelor's degree in drama from New York University. He lives in Hell's Kitchen, New York.

Professional background

Carl previously served as chief of staff to then-Council Member Erik Bottcher. Before that, he worked as a community board 4 liaison in the New York City Council, and as an executive assistant at the Fifth Avenue Association, as well as a server at STARR Restaurants. Carl is also a founding member of Hell's Kitchen Democrats, a grassroots political organization he helped build following the 2016 presidential election.

Political background

Carl currently serves as the New York City Council member for District 3. He was first elected in the April 2026 special election and is now seeking re-election to the seat in the November 2026 general election.

Economy

Advocates for raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and large corporations.

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Public Services

Plans to maintain clean, safe, and accessible public spaces, including well-managed parks, vibrant streets, and reliable sanitation services.

Supports allocating 1% of the city budget to the Parks Department to enhance maintenance, safety, and equitable access due to historic underfunding.

Wants to use the Human Rights Law to develop more artist housing.

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Housing & Urban Development

Supports expanding the housing supply to address affordability and urban development issues.

Supports the development of "permanently affordable homes, particularly through subsidized housing programs."

Advocates for building affordable housing on city and state-owned sites, and converting vacant office spaces into apartments.

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Public Safety

Supports the creation of the Department of Community Safety, which would allow police to focus on crime and not "situations that should be handled by a social service professional."

Believes investing in youth programs is essential for long-term community safety.

Plans to foster communication between police and residents by attending Community Precinct Council meetings.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports creating permanent infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, such as "concrete, tree pits, and planters," rather than temporary solutions like "paint and plastic cones."

Supports installing more dedicated bus lanes to increase bus speeds.

Believes there should be more benches and shelters so seniors can comfortably wait for the bus.

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Energy & the Environment

Believes climate change is causing more frequent super storms and increased flooding in District 3, which is bounded by the Hudson River.

Supports requiring more permeable materials in buildings, improving storm water retention, and limiting runoff by expanding bioswales and incentivizing solar use on buildings.

As a city council aide, led efforts to require expanding the city’s tree canopy to reduce temperatures, improve air quality, and increase biodiversity.

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Healthcare

Supports abortion access.

Promotes expanding funding for mental health services and HIV prevention and treatment.

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Education

Supports expanding access to school-based health services and implementing trauma-informed care.

Advocates for creating dedicated, mixed-income housing for teachers with a rent cap at 30% of income to improve recruitment and retention.

Supports expanding "community schools" that offer wraparound services (nutritional, medical, and social-emotional support) as well as adult education for families.

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