Harvey Epstein

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.

Preceded byCarlina Rivera

Preceded byBrian P. Kavanagh

Succeeded byKeith Powers

BornHarvey David Epstein
February 5, 1967 (age 59)

Wantagh, New York, U.S.

Quick facts Member of the New York City Council from the 2nd district, Preceded by ...

Harvey Epstein
Epstein in 2024

Member of the New York City Council from the 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 4, 2025
Preceded by	Carlina Rivera
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 74th district
In office May 20, 2018 – December 4, 2025
Preceded by	Brian P. Kavanagh
Succeeded by	Keith Powers

Personal details
Born	Harvey David Epstein (1967-02-05) February 5, 1967 (age 59) Wantagh, New York, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Education	Ithaca College (BA) City University of New York (JD)
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Early life and career

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

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]

In popular culture

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

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]