Local 802 Endorses Carl Wilson for NYC Council District 3

APRIL 16, 2026 — NEW YORK, NY — Local 802, American Federation of Musicians, today announced its endorsement of Carl Wilson in the special election for New York City Council, District 3. Local 802 represents more than 6,000 professional musicians working in New York City and has long been a leading voice for the rights of working artists across the five boroughs. District 3 encompasses the West Village, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and portions of Hudson Yards.

“New York City’s musicians are the backbone of this city’s cultural identity, and they are being priced out,” said Dan Point, President of AFM Local 802. “Carl Wilson understands that affordable housing is not just a housing issue for musicians, it is an existential issue for our art form. When musicians cannot afford to live, rehearse, and perform in the city they help define, we all lose something irreplaceable. Carl has made clear he will fight for rent protections, for the preservation of arts spaces, and for a New York City where working musicians can still afford to call this place home. Local 802 is proud to stand with him.”

“I’m incredibly honored to have the endorsement of Local 802,” said New York City Council District 3 candidate Carl Wilson. “The musicians and performers they represent are essential to our city’s cultural and economic heartbeat. Their advocacy for fair wages, safe working conditions, and a thriving arts community reflects the kind of leadership we need in City Council. I’m proud to stand with Local 802 and will always fight to ensure that working artists can live, work, and succeed in New York City.”

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PRESS CONTACT: press@local802afm.org , (415) 608-6445

AFM Local 802 represents thousands of highly skilled musicians who drive New York City’s thriving cultural and tourism economy. Its members — who perform on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Radio City, in recording studios, as teaching artists, on late-night TV shows and in other televised bands, in hotels, clubs, festivals and venues across NYC — are protected by collective bargaining agreements ensuring proper classification, fair treatment and a living wage. For more background on Local 802, click here.