Andrew Cuomo’s first sexual harassment accuser ‘actively exploring’ NYC city council run

Lindsey Boylan, the first woman to publicly accuse disgraced governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, is actively exploring a run for city council, The Post has learned.

Manhattan Democratic insiders told The Post that the ex-Cuomo aide is considering a run to replace Councilman Erik Bottcher, who recently opted out of the crowded congressional primary to replace Nadler and run for state Senate instead.

“I cannot think of a community I care more about and I’m absolutely exploring if I can rise to the occasion for this moment. It’s been an honor and a lot of fun in the short time I’ve been talking to people in our community,” Boylan told The Post. 

Lindsey Boylan accused Cuomo of forcibly kissing her and asking to play strip poker, leading to her 2018 resignation from his office.

Criminal investigations into Cuomo’s alleged harassment were closed due to insufficient evidence but a report from Attorney General Letitia James found that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women.

The former governor has repeatedly denied the charges.

Manhattan Democratic consultant Chris Sosa said that Boylan would be a formidable candidate in the race. 

“She’d be an exciting and dynamic voice in the race to many progressives, both on a policy level and because of her history of being downright fearless in the face of power,” he said.

Boylan’s city council run wouldn’t be her first foray into running for public office. She previously ran an unsuccessful primary challenge to Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler in 2020. 

The West Village and Hells Kitchen district already has three other candidates saying they will run: Bottcher’s Chief of Staff Carl Wilson, Manhattan Community Board 4 Member Leslie Boghosian Murphy and Layla Law-Gisiko – the president of The City Club of New York, a good government group. 

Special elections are usually held on the first Tuesday at least 80 days after the office has been vacated but can be scheduled shortly before or after the date in order to increase voter participation, according to the NYC Campaign Finance Board’s website.