Lifelong New Yorker. Community leader. Democracy defender.
I love New York more than anything—and that means fighting for its future.
It’s time for leaders who aren’t just progressive, but aggressive: to lower our costs, fight MAGA power grabs, and get ICE out of our communities.
That’s how I’ve spent my career, and it’s how I’ll serve our neighborhoods in the Assembly.
Meet Ryder Kessler
I’m a child of this district: a gay kid born at St. Vincent’s Hospital who played little league basketball at Tony Dapolito and got his Bar Mitzvah cake at Veniero’s. I’ve spent my life here—and my career working to expand opportunity, strengthen democracy, and help this city live up to its promise.
I'm running because the neighborhoods I played in as a child are at risk of becoming a playground for the ultra-rich, and because our fundamental rights are under attack. As a member of Community Board 2, I work with neighbors to tackle homelessness and improve quality of life. Last year, I started our district’s Hands Off NYC chapter, coordinating rapid response to protect immigrant New Yorkers from ICE attacks.
Nationally, I've led Democratic political campaigns up and down the ballot to fight back against the Trump agenda, specializing in voter protection to defend every citizen's right to vote. In 2024, I founded a local nonprofit, building a community of over 4,500 New Yorkers to deliver progress on housing, transit, climate, and electing progressive leaders. I have a record of making New York safer and more affordable, and of strengthening democracy.
Growing up, my mom taught me to turn values into action. She brought me to protests and the polls, volunteered overnight at my school’s homeless shelter, and organized its first AIDS Walk team. This campaign is rooted in those values—being a voice for the voiceless, and showing up where it counts. I'll fight in Albany to defend our rights, protect the best of Lower Manhattan, and make New York accessible to everyone.
Priorities
Lower Costs
We need to lower the price of housing, energy, childcare, and healthcare so New Yorkers are free to live and age where we want—without being rent-burdened, displaced, or pushed out of the city altogether, and without being forced into impossible choices about care for our families.
Safer Streets
Our neighborhoods are some of the best in the city, but our streets and subways don’t always feel safe or welcoming. Everyone should be able to get around safely—protected from crime, traffic violence, and climate change—with reliable public transit and clean, well-managed public spaces.
Stronger Democracy
New York must remain a bulwark against authoritarianism—fighting back against Trump’s attacks on our neighbors and ICE’s presence on our streets, protecting voters at the ballot box, and organizing to win elections to defend the freedoms of women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ and disabled New Yorkers, and all marginalized communities.
Better Neighborhoods
We’re at the center of New York’s political, architectural, and artistic heritage—but that character is under pressure. Let’s protect what makes us special by supporting small businesses, preserving our historic character, and ensuring Lower Manhattan remains a home for neighbors and artists, not a playground for billionaires.
Assembly District 66
New York’s Assembly District 66 is located in Lower Manhattan, covering Greenwich Village, the West Village, the Meatpacking District, SoHo, NoHo, Tribeca, and portions of the East Village, Chelsea, and Union Square.
Join the team
New York’s challenges are urgent—but our communities are up to the task.
We’re working for homes our neighbors can afford, standing with immigrant neighbors against ICE overreach, marching in defense of the country we love, and supporting the small businesses that make the big city feel like a small town.
Join this campaign to deliver lower costs, safer streets, and a stronger democracy—and let's preserve what makes our district great while ensuring those benefits are available to everyone.