Raymond is originally from East Harlem and the Bronx. He was wrongfully convicted in the 1989 Central Park jogger case at age 14 and exonerated in 2002. He lives in the community he grew up in and now seeks to represent.

Raymond currently works as a justice reform advocate and entrepreneur. He previously founded the clothing brand Park Madison NYC and travels nationally as a motivational speaker.

Raymond Santana’s campaign for New York City Council is his first run for public office.

Wants to expand economic opportunities for underserved communities.

- Wants to expand economic opportunities for underserved communities.

Economy

As of June 7, 2025, Raymond Santana’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Education

Wants to increase the supply of affordable housing.

- Wants to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Housing & Urban Development

Said, "I am running to get guns off our streets and make our neighborhoods safer."

Plans to focus on public safety and improving relations between the neighborhood and the NYPD.

Supports criminal justice reform and advocates against wrongful convictions, police misconduct, and systemic inequalities.

Supports banning deceptive and coercive police interrogation tactics.

Supports requiring youth to consult with an attorney before waiving Miranda rights.

- Said, "I am running to get guns off our streets and make our neighborhoods safer."
- Plans to focus on public safety and improving relations between the neighborhood and the NYPD.
- Supports criminal justice reform and advocates against wrongful convictions, police misconduct, and systemic inequalities.
- Supports banning deceptive and coercive police interrogation tactics.
- Supports requiring youth to consult with an attorney before waiving Miranda rights.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Healthcare

Energy & the Environment

Instagram

Twitter

Raymond Santana

Elsie was born and raised in East Harlem.

Elsie has worked in education, community organizing, and in leadership roles at Union Settlement and Innovation High School. She also served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala.

Elsie Encarnacion - Ballotpedia

Elsie Encarnacion's campaign for City Council in District 8 is her first campaign for public office.

Advocates for equitable wages and economic growth for youth.

- Advocates for equitable wages and economic growth for youth.

As of June 7, 2025, Elsie Encarnacion’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a council member, led efforts to revitalize participatory budgeting in the district, specifically for schools, and dedicated $2 million to capital funding for schools in District 8.

- As a council member, led efforts to revitalize participatory budgeting in the district, specifically for schools, and dedicated $2 million to capital funding for schools in District 8.

Believes in protecting vulnerable populations from displacement to foster stable communities and promote social equity.

- Believes in protecting vulnerable populations from displacement to foster stable communities and promote social equity.

Advocated for investments in lighting and safety that contribute to a welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors.

- Advocated for investments in lighting and safety that contribute to a welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors.

Supports LGBTQ+ healthcare programs and plans to consult with organizations like Stonewall on relevant issues.

- Supports LGBTQ+ healthcare programs and plans to consult with organizations like Stonewall on relevant issues.
- Supports access to abortion.

LinkedIn

Facebook

Elsie Encarnacion

Federico Colon &mdash East Harlem.com

Federico was born in Puerto Rico and came to New York at the age of 17. He attended Mechanic Institute and the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Federico is a former Chief of Staff for Councilman Adam Powell.

Federico Colon previously ran for City Council in 1997, but did not win.

As of June 7, 2025, Frederico Colon did not have a website or any information online.

Frederico Colon

Nicholas has a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public policy. He was born and raised in East Harlem.

As of May 6, 2025, Nicholas Reyes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nicholas Reyes previously served two terms as a state committee member.

Supports affordable housing and economic opportunities.

- Supports affordable housing and economic opportunities.

Supports increasing tree canopy and public green spaces.

- Supports increasing tree canopy and public green spaces.

As of June 7, 2025, Nicholas Reyes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nicholas Reyes

Rosa is originally from Peru and immigrated to the U.S. in the early 2000s. She began volunteering with East Harlem Community Partnership and has since worked with multiple nonprofits to support immigrant families. She lives in District 8.

Rosa currently works as a community advocate and bilingual paralegal. She also coordinates the Cada Paso/Every Step Program in East Harlem, which supports families through physical activity and connection to local services.

Rosa G. Diaz’s campaign for City Council in District 8 is her first run for public office.

As of June 7, 2025, Rosa G. Diaz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports providing essential resources such as food, clothing, and language support, and partnering with non-profits to educate migrants on local opportunities.

As a community advocate, worked with non-profit organizations to help educate others on their legal and human rights.

Plans to work with city government to enhance the city's immigration policy.

- Supports providing essential resources such as food, clothing, and language support, and partnering with non-profits to educate migrants on local opportunities.
- As a community advocate, worked with non-profit organizations to help educate others on their legal and human rights.
- Plans to work with city government to enhance the city's immigration policy.

Supports equitable education and high-quality education for youth and parents, regardless of economic, language, or special needs barriers.

- Supports equitable education and high-quality education for youth and parents, regardless of economic, language, or special needs barriers.

Supports "rent-to-own" initiatives to promote "genuine socioeconomic empowerment" in local communities.

- Supports "rent-to-own" initiatives to promote "genuine socioeconomic empowerment" in local communities.

Supports non-profit organizations that focus on immigrant populations and their direct needs.

- Supports non-profit organizations that focus on immigrant populations and their direct needs.

Rosa G. Diaz

Wil is originally from Puerto Rico. He has a law degree. Wil volunteers with Union Settlement, the Metropolitan Hospital Community Advisory Board, and Community Board 11’s Housing Committee. He lives with his wife, Luisa, and their son in the district.

Wil currently works as a government affairs professional. He previously served as a legislative director for the New York City Council and as an assistant district attorney in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

Wilfredo Lopez - Ballotpedia

Wilfredo “Wil” López is running for New York City Council in District 8. His campaign for this office is his first run for city office. He previously ran for New York State Assembly District 68 in 2022 but did not win.

Supports repurposing commercial office space for housing.

- Supports unionization.
- Supports repurposing commercial office space for housing.

As of June 7, 2025, Wilfredo Lopez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports a well-rounded education that includes arts, music, computer science, and financial literacy.

- Supports a well-rounded education that includes arts, music, computer science, and financial literacy.

Supports expanding rent stabilization and tenant protections, including Good Cause Eviction legislation, and Right to Counsel for tenants.

Plans to build more housing at affordable and middle-income levels to increase supply and reduce rents.

Supports converting some Tier II shelters and other temporary facilities into permanent supportive housing with wraparound services.

- Supports expanding rent stabilization and tenant protections, including Good Cause Eviction legislation, and Right to Counsel for tenants.
- Plans to build more housing at affordable and middle-income levels to increase supply and reduce rents.
- Supports converting some Tier II shelters and other temporary facilities into permanent supportive housing with wraparound services.

Supports a balanced police presence that protects all communities without over-policing low-income neighborhoods.

Plans to address gun violence by supporting the creation of a civilianized mental health response unit and shifting responsibilities away from police.

- Supports a balanced police presence that protects all communities without over-policing low-income neighborhoods.
- Plans to address gun violence by supporting the creation of a civilianized mental health response unit and shifting responsibilities away from police.

Supports access to abortion and comprehensive reproductive health services for everyone, regardless of income, immigration status, or zip code.

- Supports access to abortion and comprehensive reproductive health services for everyone, regardless of income, immigration status, or zip code.

Supports investing in green infrastructure to improve air quality and create a resilient waterfront.

- Supports investing in green infrastructure to improve air quality and create a resilient waterfront.

Wilfredo Lopez

- City Council Members work together to enact local laws, approve the city budget, and oversee land use and zoning regulations. ​
- Council Members oversee city agencies, ensuring they effectively serve the public and address community needs. ​

Passes laws and regulations for your city

This ballot may not list all local party officials on your official ballot. These individuals serve only within their political party and do not hold public office.