New York City’s June 22 Democratic primary is one of the most important mayoral contests in recent memory and is heating up every day. In a city that is roughly 7 to 1 Democrat, the primary could determine the next mayor, after almost eight years of a term-limited Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The crowded field includes more than two dozen hopefuls and based on early polls, fundraising and media attention, eight candidates appear viable in the first ever citywide ranked choice primary.
While the pandemic will hopefully be under control by January 2022, the new mayor will have to contend with an ongoing budgetary fallout, a dramatic spike in crime, a school system that is months behind, and a tourism economy that could take years to recover.
We’ve gathered all of POLITICO’s coverage on the race here, from the early days to the latest news. Also included below are available polls and candidate interviews.
This page will be updated daily with all of the latest.
Yang falls behind Adams for first time in New York mayor’s race poll — Sally Goldenberg
National AAPI group to endorse Yang's mayoral campaign — Sally Goldenberg
LGBT Democratic club endorses Dianne Morales for mayor — Erin Durkin
Woman accusing NYC mayoral candidate of sexual assault files complaint with state AG — Erin Durkin
Mayoral candidates pledge more restrictions on Amazon — Erin Durkin
Yang wants to control the subway. Transit experts don’t think it’s a good idea — Danielle Muoio
Stringer vows to press on after losing supporters in NYC mayoral race — Erin Durkin
Yang describes himself as serial entrepreneur, but he often worked for someone else — Joe Anuta
Stringer's support crumbles as assault allegations scramble New York mayor’s race — Sally Goldenberg
New York mayoral candidate defiant as sexual assault accusations erode key support — Amanda Eisenberg, Sally Goldenberg and Danielle Muoio
Adams closes in on Yang according to new poll in NYC mayor's race — Sally Goldenberg
Stringer loses more backing as he tries to rally support — Sally Goldenberg
Sexual assault allegations throw New York’s mayoral race into a tailspin — Sally Goldenberg and Amanda Eisenberg
NYC mayoral candidate Scott Stringer denies accusations of sexual assault, harassment — Amanda Eisenberg
Is there a lane for a city manager to become mayor?
Kathryn Garcia thinks so — Danielle MuoioHow Eric Adams’ official charity boosted his profile ahead of mayoral run — Joe Anuta
Yang accused of being 'out of touch' over LGBTQ comments — Amanda Eisenberg and Jonathan Custodio
An armed New York mayor? Adams plans to ride an anti-crime message to City Hall — Sally Goldenberg
Morales distances herself from former employer amid pressure from housing groups — Janaki Chadha
Eric Adams: The current Brooklyn borough president is one of the leading contenders for the Democratic primary and while independent polling has been scarce, Adams has been running a consistent second place. A former NYPD captain, Adams is more moderate than many of his rivals on issues of policing, drug legalization and development. Key endorsements include DC 37, the Hotel Trades Council, 32BJ.
Age: 60
Education: BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice; MPA from Marist College
Experience: Retired NYPD police captain, former state senator, current Brooklyn borough president.
Personal: Lives in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn; has a son and a partner.
Our Coverage:
— Eric Adams wins backing of Transport Workers Union
— Adams touts public safety stance — misstates rivals' position on drugs
— Eric Adams consolidates labor support with backing of building-service workers union
— City’s largest municipal union signals support for Eric Adams’ mayoral bid
— Adams hits Yang again on the campaign trail
— Gloves come off as Adams takes aim at Yang’s campaign platform during policy speech
— Adams scores hotel union endorsement in mayoral bid
— Eric Adams releases tax credit plan, hits Yang
— Eric Adams joins call for immigrant voting rights
— Adams unveils economic recovery plan
— Adams proposes using open retail space to expand child care
Shaun Donovan: The former Bloomberg housing czar went on to become President Barack Obama’s HUD secretary and then head of the federal Office of Management and Budget. Donovan has been trailing in polls but has a big independent expenditure behind him, much of it funded by his father. He was also one of the first candidates to run campaign advertisements on TV.
Age: 55
Education: AB in engineering sciences from Harvard College, MPA from Harvard Kennedy School; Master of Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Experience: Deputy assistant secretary for multifamily housing at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; acting Federal Housing Administration Commissioner (Clinton); managing director of FHA lending and affordable housing at Prudential Mortgage Capital Company; commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (Bloomberg); U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Obama); director of U.S. Office of Management and Budget (Obama)
Personal: Lives in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn; married, with two sons
Our Coverage:
— CFB probes Pro-Donovan PAC funded by candidate’s father
— Pro-Donovan PAC set to inundate mayoral race with outside cash
— Donovan would remove middle school screens as mayor, but would revise SHSAT
— Donovan unveils health care platform focused on increasing primary care
— Shaun Donovan launches mayoral campaign
Kathryn Garcia: On paper, Garcia looks to be the best qualified manager of the city having run a healthy portion of it under former Mayor Mike Bloomberg and current Mayor Bill de Blasio. The first-time candidate has a lot of support from experienced government hands, but hasn’t been polling well among voters so far. Garcia is among the more moderate of the Democrats in the race.
Age: 51
Education: BA in economics and history, University of Wisconsin at Madison
Experience: Chief operating officer, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (Bloomberg); commissioner for the New York City Department of Sanitation (de Blasio); interim New York City Housing Authority chair (de Blasio); Covid-19 food czar (de Blasio)
Personal: Lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn; formerly married to Jerry Garcia (not that one), two children.
Our Coverage:
— Kathryn Garcia outlines plan to reduce maternal mortality as mayor
— Garcia's health plan leans on better food accessibility
— Mayoral rivals Garcia, Yang team up to push small business plan
— Garcia skeptical of climate pledge as other Dems sign on
— Garcia unveils plan for restarting city economy
Ray McGuire: A Wall Street executive, McGuire emerged from poverty to become one of the most prominent Black executives on Wall Street. He’s running a business-friendly campaign and is the only candidate to eschew the city’s public matching program. But he is fundraising like a champ and was up early on TV to counteract his low name recognition. McGuire still polls in the single digits, but has made strides in recent weeks. McGuire was recently endorsed by Rep. Greg Meeks, head of the Queens Democrats (though the county party itself is not backing a candidate). McGuire has also won the support of Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, and Jay-Z.
Age: 64
Education: AB from Harvard College, MBA from Harvard Business School, JD from Harvard Law School.
Experience: Worked in finance at First Boston, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Global co-head of investment banking at Citigroup.
Personal: Lives on Upper West Side, Manhattan. Married with three children.
Our Coverage:
— Ray McGuire to join Sharpton, Gwen Carr at Chauvin trial
— McGuire dwarfs mayoral rivals in campaign spending
— Super PAC boosting McGuire staffs up, encouraging 'unlimited contributions'
Dianne Morales: The former CEO of Phipps Neighborhood and a former public school teacher, Morales is running as an unapologetic leftist and has picked up some steam among left leaning groups. She would be the first Afro-Latina mayor of New York but has yet to catch up in the polls, although she has been picking up momentum in recent weeks.
Age: 53
Education: BA, Stony Brook University; Masters in Social Administration, Harvard University; Masters in Education Administration, Columbia University.
Experience: Former teacher, New York City Department of Education; chief of operations at DOE Department of Youth Development and School-Community Services (Bloomberg); CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods.
Personal: Lives in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn; single mother of two children
Our Coverage:
— Morales, Stringer lead internal rankings among Working Families Party members
— Morales leans in to progressive platform during ABNY speech
— Mayoral candidate Dianne Morales says she qualifies for matching funds, a milestone in her race
Scott Stringer: A career politician with close to $8 million in his warchest, Stringer's campaign is in crisis. The former state assemblymember and Manhattan borough president had locked up the endorsements of multiple left-leaning lawmakers and groups, but saw an exodus of support when he was accused of sexual assault.
Age: 61
Education: BA in government studies, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Experience: New York State assemblymember, Manhattan borough president, New York City comptroller
Personal: Lives in Lower Manhattan; married with two children.
Our Coverage:
— Stringer wins top nod from Working Families — Morales and Wiley come in 2nd and 3rd
— Stringer attacks Yang over teachers at ABNY speech
— Stringer joins mayoral candidates suggesting Cuomo step down
— Teachers union backs Stringer in crucial nod for mayoral campaign
Maya Wiley: A former City Hall attorney and MSNBC legal analyst, Wiley has been picking up steam in recent weeks with some key backing from labor and women’s groups. She remains firmly in the middle of the pack, however, consistently trailing Yang and Adams in early polls.
Age: 57
Education: BA, Dartmouth College; JD, Columbia University
Experience: Civil division attorney for the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York;attorney for NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union; counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio; chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board; professor at the New School; legal analyst MSNBC.
Personal: Lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn. Has a partner with two children.
Our Coverage:
— Yvette Clarke to endorse Maya Wiley for mayor
— Wiley proposes good government fixes, including some already on the books
— Wiley qualifies for matching funds
— Wiley calls for citywide commercial rent regulation
— Velázquez delivers boost to Wiley's bid for mayor
— Wiley would shift money from law enforcement for child care, seniors
Andrew Yang: Yang entered the race in January after a failed run for president, polling miles ahead of his competitors and has remained the frontrunner ever since. Despite a handful of gaffes, leaving the city during the pandemic and some questionable comments, the former presidential candidate who drew national attention for his universal basic income proposal remains the person to beat in the Democratic primary.
Age: 46
Education: BA, Brown University; JD, Columbia University
Experience: Corporate lawyer at at Davis Polk & Wardwell; founder/executive at several startups; co-founder/executive of Manhattan Prep; founder of non-profit Venture for America; 2020 presidential candidate
Personal: Lives in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan; married with two children.
Our Coverage:
— Cuomo accuser criticizes Yang's reaction to misogynistic question
— Yang widens his lead in latest public poll as PAC forms to boost his candidacy
— Yang under fire after laughing at question about choking women
— Yang tweets about street vendors — and ignites fury on the left
— Left-leaning PAC to deploy policy poll against Yang
— Yang says he's a 'champion' of reproductive rights amid criticism over past abortion comments
— Yang cautions against taxing the rich in front of pro-business group
— Yang decries ’new and deadly and virulent’ hate against Asian Americans
— Yang announces $2.1M haul, joining other mayoral hopefuls in unlocking potential match
— Yang gets pressed on his political record during a campaign stop
— Yang pressed again on BDS opposition at Muslim mayoral forum
— Yang aide once criticized his treatment of women, tweeted ‘F the po’
— Yang tests positive for Covid-19
Pro-Yang PACs take shape as New York mayor’s race enters prime time — Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta
As teachers union readies endorsement, members complain about process — Madina Touré
‘A mini-Trump’: New York mayoral candidates look to take down Yang — Erin Durkin
Andrew Yang’s Asian American Superpower — Tina Nguyen
Bloomberg alumni are back in action — and turning on their own — Erin Durkin
Yang, Adams to amend tax returns after questions about discrepancies — Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta
They want to manage the city’s budget. Here’s a look at how they manage their own — Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta
Yang continues to dominate the field with 3 months to mayoral primary — Sally Goldenberg
Yang lays blame on teachers union for sluggish pace of school reopenings — Sally Goldenberg and Tina Nguyen
How Yang charmed the right on his road to political stardom — Tina Nguyen and Sally Goldenberg
Mayoral campaigns brave the cold, and a pandemic, in first day of petitioning — Sally Goldenberg, Jonathan Custodio and Erin Durkin
In ongoing retreat, NYC’s county parties sit out mayor’s race — Sally Goldenbrg and Joe Anuta
NYC mayoral candidates say their partners will not have a big City Hall role — Erin Durkin
A 'freer' de Blasio convenes labor leaders for private meeting on mayor’s race — Sally Goldenberg
Mapping the mayor’s race: Contributions show each candidate’s geographic base — Joe Anuta
Yang stays atop New York mayoral field – through early stumbles and rookie mistakes — Sally Goldenberg and Erin Durkin
He’s running for New York mayor as a real estate foe. Why do some developers support him? — Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta
Inside the mad dash for NYC mayoral endorsements — Sally Goldenberg
Maya Wiley looks to build momentum for mayoral bid after lackluster start — Sally Goldenberg
Yang to officially launch NYC mayoral campaign Thursday — Sally Goldenberg
Andrew Yang left New York as Covid surged. Now he wants to be mayor — Sally Goldenberg
Yang internal/Slingshot: Conducted April 20 -27
StudentsFirstNY/Benenson: Conducted April 16 – April 21
NY1/Ipsos: Conducted April 1 - 15
Siena/AARP: Conducted March 29- April 8
Data for Progress: Conducted March 21 - April 5
Pulse of the Primary/Fontas: Conducted March 15 - 18
Yang internal/Slingshot: Conducted March 12 -18
Emerson College: Conducted March 4 - 6
Pulse of the Primary/Fontas: Conducted January 20 - 25
Yang, Adams tangle over parking placards — Erin Durkin, Jesse Naranjo, Jonathan Custodio
Yang proposes $4B a year in affordable housing spending, end to member deference — Janaki Chadha
Horse carriages return as a possible flashpoint issue in mayoral race — Danielle Muoio
ThriveNYC’s uncertain future in the post de Blasio era — Amanda Eisenberg
Mayoral candidates commit to doubling city spending on housing — Janaki Chadha
Mayoral candidates call for reforms to community preference — Janaki Chadha
Student activists put candidates through their paces in mayoral forum — Madina Touré
MTA encourages Yang to cover cost of his free fares idea — Danielle Muoio
'Cancel rent' movement splits mayoral candidates — Janaki Chadha
Mayoral candidates' big plans for homelessness will be tough to see through — Janaki Chadha
Andrew Yang doubles down on defense of yeshivas — Sally Goldenberg and Madina Touré
Mayoral hopefuls weigh in on how to help struggling restaurant industry [PRO] — Janaki Chadha
Mayoral hopefuls face questions on homelessness from New Yorkers living in shelter — Janaki Chadha
NYC mayoral candidates divided on politically fractious elite high school test — Madina Touré
POLITICO asked the leading candidates a series of policy questions earlier this year. Here are their answers, unedited and organized by issue area:
The far left looks to seize one of the most prominent political jobs in the country
Non-campaign ads helped boost Wiley's profile after mayoral bid kicked off
Budget cuts threaten sanitation commissioner's mayoral ambitions
The gauntlet of New York City politics awaits Andrew Yang
Inside the mad dash for New York mayoral endorsements
Yang tops latest poll in mayor's race
Mapping the mayor’s race: Contributions show each candidate’s geographic base
Yang stays atop New York mayoral field – through early stumbles and rookie mistakes
Andrew Yang left New York as Covid surged. Now he wants to be mayor.
Maya Wiley looks to build momentum for mayoral bid after lackluster start
Dianne Morales officially kicks off mayoral campaign
— Seth Pinsky conducted a series of interviews with the candidates as part of a series with the 92nd Street Y:
Scott Stringer
Maya Wiley
Andrew Yang
Ray McGuire
Shaun Donovan
Kathryn Garcia
Dianne Morales
Eric Adams
— Howard Wolfson conducted a series of interviews with candidates as part of a series with Bloomberg.
— Ben Max conducted a series of interviews with candidates for Gotham Gazette.
— The Association for a Better New York hosted each of the candidates for a policy discussion and interview.