Alan Jay Gerson (born November 1, 1957) is a former Democratic Party member of the New York City Council, elected in 2001 to represent the 1st council district in Manhattan. Gerson lost the Democratic Primary to Margaret Chin on September 15, 2009. The district is located in Lower Manhattan and includes Tribeca, portions of the Lower East Side, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, and the Financial District.Gerson is a lifelong New York City resident and graduate of P.S. 41, I.S.