Incumbent City Council Member Shaun Abreu is seeking a third term in the 2025 election to represent District 7, which includes parts of Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, West Harlem, Washington Heights, and Hamilton Heights–Sugar Hill.
So far, Abreu has outpaced his challengers in fundraising and endorsements, with backing from major unions and elected officials across the city.
But the race has drawn two opponents with sharply different visions for the district’s future. Edafe Okporo, a migrant advocate and former asylum seeker, and Tiffany Khan, a longtime housing activist and small business owner, are both campaigning on progressive platforms focused on housing justice, public safety reform, and government accountability.
Here’s a look at each candidate and their campaign platforms, in alphabetical order, on the ballot for the June 24 Democratic primary election.
Shaun Abreu
Council Member Shaun Abreu, a lifelong resident of Northern Manhattan, is seeking reelection to continue representing District 7, which includes parts of Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, and Washington Heights. Raised between Washington Heights and the Upper West Side, Abreu previously worked as a tenants’ rights attorney and was elected to the City Council in 2021.
Abreu says he is running to build on his record of delivering affordable housing, safer streets, and community investment. If reelected, he plans to back a legislative package aimed at strengthening tenant protections. His proposals include expanding the legal definition of tenant harassment, requiring access to air conditioning, and shielding tenants in buildings with unresolved code violations. He also supports the Community Land Act, which would empower nonprofits and community land trusts to purchase multifamily buildings and develop city-owned land for permanent affordable housing.
On quality-of-life issues, Abreu says he is prioritizing safe e-bike use. His proposals include safer battery technology, charging infrastructure, and a potential registration system to curb sidewalk speeding.
“I’m running for reelection because my neighbors in Upper Manhattan deserve someone with the determination and track record to deliver where it counts,” Abreu said in a statement. “I’ve stood against bad landlords and voted decisively to protect and expand our supply of affordable housing. I led the charge to fully containerize trash in West Harlem, cutting rat sightings by 60%. I’ve restored community composting, fought for fair pay for workers, and delivered millions for parks, playgrounds, and youth programs. This is a people-powered campaign—and we’re building something bigger than any one election.”
Tiffany Khan
Tiffany Khan, a former Community Board 9 member and longtime housing advocate, has focused much of her civic work on housing, land use, and zoning issues in northern Manhattan. Raised in Brooklyn and now a parent of a young child, she works in translation and interpretation.
Khan’s campaign centers on housing justice, small business support, and criminal justice reform. She has advocated for strong tenant protections, including rent stabilization, affordable co-ops, and an end to fire evictions. She opposes rezonings that she says deepen the housing crisis and destabilize communities
On public safety, Khan argues that the city’s approach to policing and incarceration has failed to reduce crime. She proposes shifting the focus to early intervention and youth development. She supports skill-based after-school programs to reduce juvenile crime and advocates for vocational training and recidivism reduction strategies.
Khan’s broader agenda includes banning toxic chemicals in food and household products, revising the state’s Foundation Aid Formula to better fund public schools, and integrating STEAM education into the city’s 3-K curriculum.
“Tiffany Khan brings a uniquely rich and broad set of skills to the City Council. As the owner of a NYC and NYS-certified MWBE, she has an intimate understanding of how the City and State of New York can help keep our small businesses afloat,” Khan’s campaign said in a statement. “Her vision for New York City is also shaped by the confluence of her upbringing in Brooklyn, work experience abroad, and activism as a member of New York’s oldest tenants’ rights advocacy organization, the Met Council on Housing.
Edafe Okporo
Edafe Okporo, a Nigerian-American migrant advocate and the executive director of Refuge America, is a former asylum seeker who experienced homelessness upon arriving in New York.
Okporo later graduated from NYU and has since led efforts to support LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and resettle Afghan refugees under the federal Operation Allies Welcome initiative. If elected, he would be the first former asylum seeker to serve on the City Council.
Okporo is campaigning on a platform focused on immigrant rights, housing justice, and government accountability. He proposes the creation of a city-run Welcome, Reception, and Integration Program to help newly arrived immigrants access services and navigate city systems. He also supports increased funding for immigrant legal services to combat mass deportations and assist with asylum and work permit applications. To protect immigrant workers, he backs efforts to reduce the street vendor permit backlog and improve safety for food delivery workers.
On housing, Okporo is calling for a 50% increase in capital funding for NYCHA, totaling $1.5 billion annually, and opposes the privatization of public housing. He also advocates for expanding the city’s Right to Counsel program and increasing oversight of homeless service providers.
“I came to New York as an asylum seeker, fleeing violence in Nigeria because of who I am. I know what it means to fight for safety, for housing, and for dignity. I also know what’s possible when New York opens its doors,” Okporo said in a statement. “I’ve spent my life fighting for those pushed to the margins. As your Council Member, I’ll bring that same energy, urgency, and compassion to City Hall. I’m ready to lead—and I hope to earn your vote.”
