City Council District 8 – Democratic Primary 2013

Gwen Goodwin is a community activist in East Harlem. Goodwin stressed her community ties, having grown up and now currently living in the district she seeks to represent. She is running because she feels disillusioned with the current representation of their district. Goodwin has a history of local advocacy; she previously served as chair of the Coalition to Save P.S. 109 and as a member of the Business and Residents Alliance. Education and Housing are central to Goodwin’s campaign. She wants to end the New York City Housing Authority’s operating deficit through institutional reform and increased taxes on high-income earners. Further, Goodwin wants to increase the number of public schools in her district. She is in favor conceptually nearly all of Citizens Unions reform position, though she did not appear to have an in-depth understanding of the proposals or of the operations of the City Council. While Citizens Union believes that Gwen Goodwin is sincere in her desire to advocate for her community, her lack of familiarity with Council operations and with issues outside of her district raises questions as to her ability to legislate effectively.