Council Candidate Mentions Taylor Swift in Official Bio

Independent candidate Haris Bhatti included a reference to the pop star in his NYC Votes district profile.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a classic stone facade, depicting the institutional nature of the municipal election process. — New York City Council candidate Haris Bhatti has faced scrutiny after including a personal remark about Taylor Swift in his official biography. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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District 3 City Council candidate Haris Bhatti has sparked notice for including a remark about Taylor Swift in his official NYC Votes candidate biography. Bhatti is challenging incumbent Councilman Carl Wilson in the upcoming local election.

Why it matters

The inclusion reflects a unique campaign strategy to gain celebrity attention while attempting to highlight mainstream policy issues for local voters. Candidate bios are self-written, allowing for personalized messaging within the city-mandated voter guide.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board compiles the nonpartisan voter guide as required by the City Charter, including all candidates who qualify for the ballot. Haris Bhatti successfully collected enough signatures to appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

The players

Haris Bhatti

He is an independent candidate for the New York City Council who previously sought a seat in Congress.

Carl Wilson

He is the incumbent Councilman for District 3 currently seeking re-election.

New York City Campaign Finance Board

This agency is responsible for compiling the nonpartisan voter guide distributed to residents.

The details

Bhatti, a Cornell University graduate who previously ran for Congress in 2016, wrote in his bio that he is a jealous Swiftie who prayed to be the husband of Taylor Swift. He is currently competing for the District 3 seat following an unsuccessful run in an April 2026 special election.

Haris Bhatti ran for Congress in 2016.
Bhatti unsuccessfully ran in a special election in April 2026.
The District 3 City Council general election occurs on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

The requirement for inclusive voter guides is often criticized by political opponents who argue that the platform allows fringe candidates to overshadow substantive policy debates. Critics frequently contend that the process should include stricter editorial oversight for official candidate statements.

Residents in District 3 will receive the official NYC Votes mailer ahead of the general election to help inform their vote. The information provided in these guides serves as a primary resource for voters to evaluate all candidates appearing on the ballot.

The takeaway

Voter guides provide an unfiltered look at every candidate running for local office in the city. Readers should use these resources to weigh a candidate's stated priorities alongside their professional experience and campaign messaging.