City Council District 1
Lifelong Lower Manhattanite, attorney, and community activist. Fighting for our quality of life with bold, progressive vision.
Why I'm Running
When your community is struggling, you step up. When your neighbors need a voice, you speak out. These are the values that shaped Jess’s upbringing in Lower Manhattan. In the wake of the 2024 election, Jess felt a renewed call to confront the fear and division threatening our society while addressing the erosion of trust in progressive leadership. He knows that restoring faith requires more than rhetoric; it demands pragmatic, effective policies that tangibly improve our day-to-day lives. Read more...
Jess Coleman is running for City Council because Lower Manhattan deserves leadership that doesn’t just manage decline but drives meaningful progress. The housing crisis, congested streets, climate risks, and failing public services demand bold, decisive action—not excuses. The status quo has failed us, and it’s time for a new path forward.
As he watched the quality of life in his neighborhood deteriorate, Jess knew he couldn’t stay on the sidelines. As a dedicated advocate for his community, he fights for proven solutions that put people, not powerful interests, first. Now, he’s leaving behind a successful legal career to dedicate himself fully to the community that shaped him and to deliver the leadership Lower Manhattan needs.
Jess’s vision for the district is grounded in real solutions, not political posturing. To tackle skyrocketing housing costs, he’ll push for policies that prioritize people—not developers or landlords—by expanding affordable housing, protecting tenants’ rights, and investing in social housing for those who need it most. He’ll advocate for safer, more sustainable streets and climate-resilient infrastructure to protect our neighborhoods from rising sea levels. A proud graduate of P.S. 89, Jess knows the transformative power of education and will fight for smaller class sizes, stronger resources, and expanded opportunities for every child.
For too long, Lower Manhattan has been held back by leaders unwilling to embrace change. Jess understands that real progress requires bold vision, compassionate leadership, and a commitment to practical, results-driven solutions. Initiatives like congestion pricing and City of Yes have shown the transformative potential of pragmatic progressivism in addressing the challenges that matter most to our communities. Jess is running to bring this forward-thinking leadership to the City Council, leadership that meets the challenges of the moment head-on.
OUR DISTRICT
Lower Manhattan has always been a beacon of possibility. Skyscrapers poking through clouds, trains whizzing below our feet, people from all four corners of the globe brushing shoulders as they rush to work or school—there is nothing quite like it. From Independence Plaza to the Vladeck Houses, our district embodies the spirit of what can be achieved when bold ideas meet collective action.
With the right leadership, Lower Manhattan can set the standard for what bold, progressive governance looks like. Jess Coleman’s vision is grounded in this belief: that our district has the potential to rise to its challenges, driven by compassion, courage, and a commitment to tangible, transformative progress. We can create neighborhoods where abundant affordable housing allows everyone to have a place they call home, where our schools provide world-class education for every child, and where our streets are vibrant public spaces that prioritize safety, accessibility, and sustainability for generations to come.
Affordable
Homes
Safe Streets
Improved transportation
Quality
Education
for All
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Our campaign relies on your support! If you’re a New York City resident, your donation up to $175 will be matched 8-1!
