The election for New York City Council District 8 is underway. Voters are heading to the polls to choose a successor for Councilwoman Diana Ayala, who is term limited out. Election day is Tuesday, November 4, but early voting has already begun. You can find your polling location here.

District 8 covers the neighborhoods of Mott Haven-Port Morris, Melrose, Concourse-Concourse Village, Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill, Upper East Side-Yorkville, East Harlem (South), East Harlem (North) and Randall’s Island. You can use this website to find your council district and view a sample ballot. To help voters understand understand the issues at stake and who’s on the ballot in New York City Council District 8 election, we reached out to the candidates and asked them three questions:

1. Why are you running for City Council?
2. What issues affecting your district are most important to you?
3. What endorsements has your campaign received?

Republican Tyreek Goodman was the only candidate running in District 8 to respond. His answers are below. We included some information about Democratic candidate Elsie Encarnacion and a link to her website.

Tyreek Goodman (Republican, Conservative)

Tyreek Goodman. Source: Tyreek Goodman.

1. Why are you running for City Council?
I’m running for City Council to bring awareness to the real issues New Yorkers face, especially those living in NYCHA, because I’m a resident myself. I understand firsthand the challenges our communities deal with every day.

My mission is to bridge the gap between our elders and our youth, so we can move forward together. This campaign isn’t just about voting for me, it’s about us stepping up and being the change we wish to see.

Seeing my name on the ballot gives my people hope that someone from their own block, their own story, can make a difference. For me, information is key. When we know better, we do better and that’s how we start building the city we deserve.

2. What issues affecting your district are most important to you?
The issues that matter most to me are the ones affecting our daily lives , the ones too many people overlook. The city calls itself a sanctuary city, but for many of us, it doesn’t feel that way. We’re being pushed out as rents rise, and the quality of life continues to slip. There’s a growing mental health crisis, and our kids are turning to violence instead of opportunity. Crime, guns, and drugs are taking too many lives and too much peace from our neighborhoods.

What makes it worse is the division there are programs and resources out there, but they’re not reaching the people who need them most. Our elders aren’t getting the proper care or attention they deserve, and our youth are losing hope before they even get started.

I also believe that if businesses come into our communities, they have a responsibility to give back. We’re the ones keeping their doors open. It’s only right that they invest back into the neighborhoods that support them. When we highlight and support businesses that truly give back, we can open the door for them to get grants and tax breaks, and that keeps politicians out of their pockets.

My goal is to bring unity, accountability, and opportunity back to our district so every person, from our elders to our youth, can thrive right here at home.

3. What endorsements has your campaign received?
I’m proud to be endorsed by the Conservative Party, the Republican Party, and the United Alliance for Business. When it comes to endorsements, I don’t go out asking for them because my campaign isn’t about choosing sides. I’m here to serve all people in my community, no matter their background or political affiliation.

One of the endorsements that means the most to me is from Elijah Diaz, a young leader from our community. His support reminds me why I’m running to motivate the youth and show them that someone who looks like them and comes from where they come from can step up and make real change.

Elsie Encarnacion (Democratic, Working Families)

The campaign for Elsie Encarnacion did not respond to our emails.  Her website states she prioritizes housing affordability, education & youth development and supporting small businesses. The campaign website lists dozens of endorsements, including 1199 SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, DC 37 and Open NY.

Federico Colon (Unity)

Federico Colon did not respond to our inquiry. We could not locate a website for his campaign.