Main New York Metropolis is the “second toughest job in America,” as former Mayor John Lindsay famously stated — but Eric Adams just isn’t alone in wanting the gig.
A crowded discipline of candidates wish to capitalize on the scandal-plagued incumbent mayor’s rock-bottom reputation and make the transfer to Gracie Mansion.
The 9 prime Democratic candidates held a rowdy first debate June 5, by which most of them gleefully piled onto frontrunner former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who responded with barbs of his personal and conspicuous dodges.
A second Dem debate Thursday will characteristic seven candidates angling for a rematch, amongst them Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist who retains gaining momentum in what more and more appears to be like like a two-person race.
The talk could be the final huge probability for the Democratic candidates to differentiate themselves within the upcoming June 24 main, the place the ranked-choice winner will problem the newly impartial Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa and one other impartial candidate, Jim Walden.
However even that potential four-person race is in flux, as political rumors abound that some heavyweight Democratic candidates might attempt to mount November election bids on one other occasion line in the event that they lose the first.
Right here’s a take a look at the key mayoral hopefuls by occasion affiliation.
DEMOCRAT
Andrew Cuomo
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is making an attempt to make his political comeback by turning into New York Metropolis’s subsequent mayor.
The pugnacious Cuomo, 67, is the frontrunner within the crowded main race, drawing scores of endorsements regardless of his string of scandals — together with the sexual harassment claims that toppled his governorship and criticism over his dealing with of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The thrice-elected Democrat’s marketing campaign has hinged closely on a “Rose Garden” technique — choosing polished and low-key appearances fairly than old-school boards together with his fellow candidates.
The conservative-leaning political scion largely swatted off assaults from his fellow mayoral hopefuls throughout final week’s debate, however time will inform if he can repeat the feat.
Zohran Mamdani
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been the speak of the city since pulling off a historic grassroots fundraising and canvassing effort.
His marketing campaign — which has zeroed in on younger, white, ultra-left New Yorkers — introduced the 33-year-old Queens Assemblyman’s bid for mayor from a long-shot bid to Cuomo’s greatest menace.
Mamdani, 33, has been slammed for his refusal to acknowledge Israel having a proper to exist as a Jewish state and his involvement within the “BDS” motion, which seeks to divert US funding to Israel. He’s additionally raised eyebrows together with his pie within the sky coverage proposals, equivalent to city-owned grocery shops and free bus service — that might value taxpayers some $10 billion.
Born in Uganda and raised within the Higher West Facet, Mamdani has served New York state as a lawmaker since 2020. He’s obtained main endorsements from the Working Households Celebration, tenant orgs and fellow progressive lawmakers.
Brad Lander
Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander has centered his marketing campaign on showcasing his lengthy document of progressive insurance policies and bashing Cuomo.
The profession lefty has persistently polled third behind Mamdani, and his marketing campaign remains to be a hopeful one.
Initially from Missouri, now-Brooklynite Lander has been on the New York political scene since 2009. He’s snagged a significant endorsement from influential gamers just like the Working Households Celebration and United Auto Employees.
As certainly one of solely two Jewish candidates within the operating, Lander, 55, has struggled to resonate with both aspect of the Israel-Palestinian battle resulting from a extra center-left stance.
Adrienne Adams
The Metropolis Council’s speaker – and no-relation foe to the mayor – entered the Democratic main on the eleventh hour as many poohbahs grew frightened about former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s candidacy.
Adrienne Adams, 64, snagged the endorsement of Cuomo foe Letitia James, the state’s lawyer basic, as she pitched a document of competent, drama-free public service from her council place.
A progressive Democrat from South Jamaica, Queens, she is the primary black councilperson to be elected speaker.
Politicos reckon she might be the candidate with the most effective shot at pulling black New Yorkers away from Cuomo, who’s polling in first place amongst that demographic group.
Scott Stringer
A fixture in New York Metropolis’s political scene, Scott Stringer — who served two phrases as town comptroller till 2021 — is on his second run for mayor.
The Manhattan Democrat has taken a barely extra average stance this time round — shifting from a few of his left-leaning insurance policies at latest boards.
Stringer, 65, is thought to do properly with the wealthier crowd — and has collected endorsements from Congressman Jerry Nadler, the West Facet Democrats and extra.
Zellnor Myrie
Brooklyn State Sen. Zellnor Myrie was an early entrant within the race for town’s highest workplace.
A progressive from Brooklyn, Myrie, 38, has run a comparatively low-key marketing campaign centered on constant public boards, advertisements and Cuomo-bashing.
Myrie — who has served his Crown Heights district, the place he was born and raised, since 2018 — has just a few extra average coverage concepts round actual property and policing than his fellow liberal friends.
He’s been endorsed by the Working Households Celebration, together with some outstanding politicians.
Jessica Ramos
Professional-labor progressive state Sen. Jessica Ramos has snagged some spectacular endorsements however hasn’t been capable of translate them into marketing campaign funds.
Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, Ramos, 39, has been one other outspoken voice for the lefty agenda within the mayoral race.
She has served within the state senate representing elements of Queens since 2019 after she defeated the now-late senator Jose Peralta, who was a part of the defunct Unbiased Democratic Convention that teamed up with Republicans to move laws.
As a result of lacking key fundraising necessities, Ramos is not going to be becoming a member of the main candidates debate on June 12.
She additionally made the stunning latest transfer to endorse Cuomo, whom she as soon as in comparison with a bumbling Joe Biden.
Michael Blake
The Rev. Michael Blake is a former aide to ex-president Barack Obama who described himself as a “visionary moderate leader with progressive policy leanings.”
Blake — who served within the state Meeting from 2015 to 2021, earlier than switching over to political consultancy — is thought for his sharp tongue and centrist insurance policies.
The South Bronx reverend, 42, joined the race final fall by ripping Adams for allegedly cozying as much as “incoming fascist president” Donald Trump.
Together with Ramos, he additionally didn’t meet fundraising necessities for the second debate. However he did make an impression throughout the first go-around, memorably dinging Cuomo.
“The people who don’t feel safe are young women, mothers and grandmothers around Andrew Cuomo,” he stated, alluding to the previous governor’s sexual harassment scandal.
Whitney Tilson
Whitney Tilson hails from the world of hedge funds and finance — and notably has solely been formally endorsed by mega-financier Invoice Ackman.
Tilson, 58, is a conservative Democrat who warns of the far left in his advert campaigns, which bash Mamdani and his socialist supporters.
A Harvard-educated former fund supervisor from Connecticut, Tilson manufacturers himself because the antithesis to the profession pols operating in opposition to him.
INDEPENDENT
Jim Walden
Centrist Jim Walden shall be straight taking up Adams within the impartial class of the poll in November.
Walden, 59, made a reputation for himself as a big-time lawyer who now manufacturers himself because the “apolitical” candidate within the mayoral race.
He rose to prominence prosecuting mobsters — and he’s even repped Cuomo throughout authorized troubles — although he has but to achieve any substantial floor on this race.
REPUBLICAN
Curtis Sliwa
The boisterous, crimson beret-wearing Curtis Sliwa is operating solo on the Republican ticket for mayor.
The radio host and crime-fighting activist, 71, advised The Publish he thinks he has an actual shot on the mayoralty this 12 months because of the fractured nature of the Democratic occasion.
Although a devoted member of the GOP, the Guardian Angels founder has persistently distanced himself from the Trump administration since coming into the political ring.
