NY-12 Democratic nominee?
$467.7K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
GenderMale
LocationNew York
Show moreShow less
BackgroundPolitician
EducationCUNY Graduate Center (M.A.)
Notable personal detailsKeith Powers is a Democratic politician in New York City who represented Manhattan’s District 4 on the New York City Council and served as Council Majority Leader from 2022 to 2024. He has focused on issues including housing and tenant protections, small business support, and public space quality-of-life concerns. He attended the CUNY Graduate Center and the University of Dayton and previously worked in government and political consulting.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for businesses by suspending or rolling back the Manhattan commercial rent tax and has proposed exempting more small businesses from the levy; frames these steps as relief to help pandemic-impacted businesses and support economic recovery. No direct evidence found of advocacy for large-scale tax increases or progressive wealth-redistribution on state or federal income taxes.
Healthcare
Supports strengthening and expanding public health services in New York City, with a focus on improving access to mental health care, bolstering the public NYC Health + Hospitals system, and creating more reliable city-run programs (e.g., cooling centers) to protect vulnerable residents. Prior legislative and committee actions emphasize improving public-health infrastructure and services rather than privatization or market-based reforms.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports strong sanctuary protections for immigrant New Yorkers and legislative limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; advocates for expedited work authorization and city resources to assist asylum seekers. Has sponsored and promoted local legislation to prevent unlawful immigration detainers and to strengthen protections against ICE involvement in city custody.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive health care in New York City and backing legislation to codify robust local protections and services for people seeking abortion care. Public statements characterize New York City as a safe haven for abortion access and endorse the City Council’s NYC Abortion Rights Act package and related measures to expand services and legal protections.
Climate & Energy
Supports city-level climate action including electrifying the municipal vehicle fleet, coastal resiliency and heat-adaptation measures, and strong waste-reduction/composting policies to cut emissions. Advocates expanding recycling, mandatory organics collection and community composting sites while promoting transit and EV infrastructure investments.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong gun-safety measures and community-based gun-violence prevention while seeking legislative solutions to reduce shootings and keep firearms out of the hands of people who could do harm. Emphasizes public-health approaches and backing for New York’s existing strong gun-safety laws and local prevention efforts.
News
Keith Powers is in the news as one of ten Democratic candidates set to appear at a forum for New York’s 12th Congressional District. The event will give voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates vying to replace Rep. Jerry Nadler, with opening remarks and a moderated discussion.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising