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Harvey Epstein
Epstein in 2024
Member of the New York City Council
from the 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 4, 2025
Preceded byCarlina Rivera
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 74th district
In office
May 20, 2018 – December 4, 2025
Preceded byBrian P. Kavanagh
Succeeded byKeith Powers
Personal details
BornHarvey David Epstein
(1967-02-05) February 5, 1967 (age 59)
Wantagh, New York, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Education
Signature

Harvey David Epstein (/ˈɛpstiːn/ EP-steen; born February 5, 1967) is an American politician and attorney. He is a member of the New York City Council from the 2nd district, which consists of parts of the Lower East Side and East Village neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York City. He was previously a member of the New York State Assembly from the 74th district between 2018 and 2025.

Early life and career

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Epstein earned a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College in social studies. He ran a homeless shelter in Hempstead, New York, and worked in the South Bronx for a foster care agency. He earned a Juris Doctor from CUNY Law School and worked for Queens Legal Services and The Legal Aid Society. Epstein served as community development director for the Urban Justice Center.[1]

Political career

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Epstein won a special election to the New York State Assembly to succeed Brian P. Kavanagh, who was elected to the New York State Senate, in 2018.[2][3]

Epstein is a member of the Vote Blue Coalition, a progressive group and federal Political Action Committee (PAC) created to support Democrats in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania through voter outreach and mobilization efforts.[4]

Epstein sponsored legislation to reform the New York State Real Property Law and Tax Law in regards to mezzanine financing. The legislation calls for the recording of mezzanine debt and preferred equity investments and subject it to the mortgage recording tax. These amendments will force borrowers and lenders to reconsider the economic costs of mezzanine financing. It was introduced on January 22, 2021.[5]

In February 2024, Epstein, along with four other Jewish elected officials from New York (Liz Krueger, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Brad Lander and Lincoln Restler), signed an open letter on the Gaza war. The letter condemned Hamas and other groups in the Middle East for attacking Israel and seeking to foment antisemitism and anti-Zionism around the world, while also criticizing the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu for civilian deaths in Gaza, its settlement policy in the West Bank, and leniency towards violence by Israeli settlers. The letter's signatories called for the Israeli government to prioritize negotiations to release hostages held in Gaza and voiced support for a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[6]

Epstein won the Democratic primary for New York City's 2nd City Council district in the 2025 municipal election. Epstein ran unopposed for re-election in the 2024 New York State Assembly election, but said he intends to resign his Assembly seat if elected to the City Council in 2025.[7] He defeated Allie Ryan, Sarah Batchu, Andrea Gordillo, and Anthony Weiner.[8] Epstein won the general election on November 4, 2025 against Republican opponent Jason Murillo.[9] A special election for his replacement in the Assembly is scheduled to be held on February 3, 2026.[10]

In early 2026, Epstein led the formation of the New York City Council's Animal Welfare Caucus, which advocates for the humane treatment of animals, and lower costs of pet ownership in the city. He cites the caucus's goals as reducing harm, protecting ecosystems, and fostering a healthier, more sustainable city for all.[11]

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On November 2, 2024, Harvey Epstein was played by comedian John Mulaney in a Saturday Night Live sketch about the struggle of running for office when his name evokes the notorious sex offenders Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein. Harvey Epstein, a fan of the show, told The New York Times that he was surprised when he was depicted and found it "ridiculously funny". He reflected, "I've been Harvey Epstein my whole life", and "people know me for who I am", which is a "really lovely reputation in the neighborhood".[12] He encouraged readers to support survivors of sexual abuse by donating to the non-profit RAINN.[12][7][13]

Personal life

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Epstein lives in the East Village. He and his wife Anita have two children, Leila and Joshua, and a rescue dog, Homer.[14][15] Epstein is Jewish.[6] Despite growing up in a Conservative, kosher-observant household, on Long Island, Epstein identifies as an agnostic Jew. As a student at Ithaca College, he served as Hillel president, and became vegan.[15]

Electoral history

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2025

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2025 New York City Council Democratic primary, District 2[16]
Party Candidate Maximum
round 		Maximum
votes 		Share in
maximum
round 		Maximum votes
  First round votes   Transfer votes
Democratic Harvey Epstein 4 14,703 56.8%
​​
Democratic Sarah Batchu 4 11,182 43.2%
​​
Democratic Andrea Gordillo 3 6,898 24.8%
​​
Democratic Anthony Weiner 2 3,079 10.2%
​​
Democratic Allie Ryan 2 2,398 7.9%
​​
Write-In 1 133 0.4%
​​
2025 New York City Council election, District 2[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Epstein 36,003 66.3
Working Families Harvey Epstein 6,373 11.7
Total Harvey Epstein 42,376 78.0
Republican Jason C. Murillo 8,267 15.2
Conservative Jason C. Murillo 704 1.3
Total Jason C. Murillo 8,971 16.5
The Unity Allie Ryan 1,720 3.2
CleanSafeStreet Gail Schargel 1,165 2.1
Write-in 103 0.2
Total votes 54,335 100.0
Democratic hold

2024

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2024 New York State Assembly election, District 74[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Epstein 38,149 88.5
Working Families Harvey Epstein 4,502 10.4
Total Harvey Epstein (incumbent) 42,651 98.0
Write-in 445 1.0
Total votes 43,096 100.0
Democratic hold

2022

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2022 New York State Assembly election, District 74[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Epstein 26,820 73.7
Working Families Harvey Epstein 3,353 9.2
Total Harvey Epstein (incumbent) 30,173 82.9
Republican Bryan Cooper 6,138 16.9
Write-in 66 0.2
Total votes 36,377 100.0
Democratic hold

2020

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2020 New York State Assembly election, District 74[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Epstein 39,853 84.6
Working Families Harvey Epstein 6,896 14.6
Total Harvey Epstein (incumbent) 46,749 99.2
Write-in 364 0.8
Total votes 47,113 100.0
Democratic hold

2018

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2018 New York's 74th State Assembly district special election[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Epstein 3,541 76.6
Working Families Harvey Epstein 616 13.3
Total Harvey Epstein 4,157 89.9
Republican Bryan Cooper 248 5.4
Green Adrienne R. Craig-Williams 104 2.2
Reform Juan Pagan 103 2.2
Write-in 13 0.3
Total votes 4,625 100.0
Democratic hold
2018 New York State Assembly Democratic primary, District 74[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Epstein (incumbent) 10,517 62.7
Democratic Akshay Arun Vaishampayan 3,202 19.1
Democratic Juan Pagan 2,983 17.8
Write-in 70 0.4
Total votes 16,772 100.0
2018 New York State Assembly election, District 74[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey Epstein 34,316 82.0
Working Families Harvey Epstein 2,219 5.3
Total Harvey Epstein (incumbent) 36,535 87.3
Republican Bryan Cooper 4,694 11.2
Reform Juan Pagan 586 1.4
Write-in 43 0.1
Total votes 41,858 100.0
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ Blumenthal, Ralph (April 13, 2009). "A Legal Advocate for Social Justice". The New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  2. ^ Litvak, Ed (February 15, 2018). "Harvey Epstein is the Democratic Nominee in the 74th Assembly District". The Lo-Down. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. ^ Litvak, Ed (April 25, 2018). "Harvey Epstein Wins Special Election in 74th Assembly District". The Lo-Down. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "Coalition". Vote Blue. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  5. ^ Herman, Steven; Schromm, Michael (February 10, 2021). "New York Assembly Sponsored Legislation Proposes New Tax on Mezzanine Debt and Preferred Equity". JD Supra. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Krueger, Liz; Hoylman-Sigal, Brad; Epstein, Harvey; Lander, Brad; Restler, Lincoln (February 20, 2024). "An Open Letter From Jewish Elected Officials Regarding The War In Gaza" (Press release). Liz Krueger. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (November 3, 2024). "NYC Politician Harvey Epstein Reacts To John Mulaney's 'SNL' Parody Campaign Ad Aimed At His Unfortunate Name". Deadline. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "In Wide-Open District 2 Council Race, Local Activist Batchu Emerges as Surprise Top Fundraiser". Our Town. January 20, 2025.
  9. ^ "New York City Council Election Results". The New York Times. November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Hochul, Kathy (December 15, 2025). "Special Election Proclamation" (PDF). NYC Board of Elections. Retrieved December 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Davenport, Emily (March 2, 2026). "City Council forms Animal Welfare Caucus to protect animals and make pet ownership more affordable for New Yorkers". amNY. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  12. ^ a b Coleman, Maia (November 3, 2024). "An 'S.N.L.' Sketch Gives Harvey Epstein His 15 Minutes of Fame". The New York Times. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  13. ^ Gallaga, Omar L. (November 3, 2024). "Kamala Harris cold-opens 'SNL' with Maya Rudolph". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Epstein, Harvey. "Biography". Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Hajdenberg, Jackie (July 3, 2025). "Meet the Jewish candidate who thwarted Anthony Weiner's political comeback". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  16. ^ "DEM Council Member 2nd Council District". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 22, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  17. ^ "00101100002New York Member of the City Council 2nd Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 2, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  18. ^ "00102100074New York Member of the Assembly 74th Assembly District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 3, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  19. ^ "00102000074New York Member of the Assembly 74th Assembly District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 2, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  20. ^ "00100600074New York Member of the Assembly 74th Assembly District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 1, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  21. ^ "00102300074New York Member of the Assembly 74th Assembly District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. May 8, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  22. ^ "01102300074New York Democratic Member of the Assembly 74th Assembly District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. September 27, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  23. ^ "00102300074New York Member of the Assembly 74th Assembly District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 3, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
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