New York City’s Races

New York has a closed primary system, where only those with a party affiliation can vote in party primary elections. The Democratic Party holds the majority of the city’s public offices. Sixty-eight percent of registered voters in NYC are Democrats. There are pockets of Republican strength in some sections of Brooklyn and Queens and a large Republican stronghold in Staten Island.

The primary is, in essence, more important than November’s general election for most races. Efforts have been made to encourage Republicans and Independents to switch to the Democratic Party in order to influence the results. In fact, 88K voters shifted from Republican or Independent to the Democratic Party ahead of the primary election.

The offices of Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, and City Council are part of this crucial election primary for a city of 8.4 million residents. Listed below are the candidates websites, interviews, finances, endorsements and policy statements.

NYC Residents: Dates to Remember

Friday, May 28: Deadline for voter registration
Saturday, June 12: Early voting begins
Tuesday, June 22 Primary Election Day

Debate Schedule

Thursday, May 13 Mayoral Democratic Debate 7-9 pm Spectrum News NY1
Wednesday, May 26 Mayoral Republican Debate 7-8pm Spectrum News NY1
Wednesday, June 2 Mayoral Democratic Debate 7-9pm WABC-TV
Sunday, June 6 Republican “Leading Contenders” Debate Time TBD WABC-TV
Thursday, June 10 Comptroller Democratic Debate 7-8pm Spectrum News NY1
Wednesday, June 16 Democratic “Leading Contenders” Debate 7-8pm WNBC-TV
Sunday, June 20 Comptroller “Leading Contenders” Debate 9:30-10:30 am WNBC-TV

Absentee Balloting

“All voters may request an absentee ballot, using COVID-19 as an excuse, for the June primary and even the November general election. This means that no voter will need to put their health at risk to make their voice heard in our city elections.”

How to get your absentee ballot in NY?

Apply online
Or call 1-866-VOTE-NYC
Download it. New York State Absentee Ballot application.
Then Email it to apply4absentee@boe.nyc
or print and mail it to your borough’s Board of Elections office
or drop it off at that office

A New Way to Vote in NYC
Ranked Choice Voting

New Yorkers elected to use Ranked Choice Voting in a 2019 ballot measure. It passed with 73.5% support. NYC will use Ranked Choice Voting in primary and special elections for local offices: Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council. The first citywide election with Ranked Choice Voting will be the Primary Election on June 22, 2021

You can rank up to five candidates in order of preference, instead of choosing just one. If a candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, they are the winner. If no candidate earns more than 50% of first-choice votes, then counting will continue in rounds. At the end of each round, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated.

Ranked Choice Voting gives voters more say in who gets elected. Even if your first-choice candidate does not win, you are still able to affect the outcome by supporting your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even 5th choice. You can mark as many or as few as you wish. The New York City Board of Elections has mailed each voter a paper packet reviewing this new procedure.

You, the Voter

Become informed. Attend virtual and/or in person campaign events. Follow their social media sites. Watch the debates. Donate. Volunteer. Decide which candidates will receive your support. Create a list of up to five candidates in the order of preference for each public office.

The Mayor of the City of New York

The Mayor is the city’s top executive and gets to set goals, initiatives, and plans of action. She/he is responsible for preparing and administering the City’s annual Expense and Capital Budgets and financial plan. New York City’s budget serving 8.4 million residents is currently $92 billion. The mayor also chooses the heads of every city agency, like the Department of Social Services, Department of Education and the NYPD, and can approve or veto each piece of legislation passed by the City Council. It is a four year term.

Candidates

Four candidates currently make up the top tier of the thirteen Democratic contenders, according to available polling and interviews with elected officials and party strategists. There is Andrew Yang, the undisputed poll leader; Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president; Scott Stringer, City Comptroller; and Maya D. Wiley, a former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio and a former MSNBC analyst.

The race appears fluid enough for a candidate to break out late. This includes the next four Democrats : Raymond McGuire, former vice chairman at Citigroup; Kathryn Garcia, former Sanitation Commissioner; Shaun Donovan, former federal housing secretary and White House budget director; and Diane Morales, a former nonprofit executive.

Maya Wiley has an extensive and diverse resume, working inside and mostly outside of government. Kathryn Garcia is everyone’s favorite – for second place. Eric Adams has spent his career serving the City – and making controversial moves along the way. Andrew Yang is running for mayor of New York City as a bold thinker and entrepreneur. But his results have been uneven. Diane Morales is an unashamedly progressive candidate who would also be New York City’s first Afro-Latina mayor. There are five things you should know about Raymond McGuire. Shaun Donovan has been a go-to-guy for emergencies. Can he lead NYC post pandemic?

Scott Stringer was recently accused of sexual assault. He denied the allegation. All three major female Democratic candidates have called on Stringer to drop out of the primary. While he has lost crucial supporters in his drive to become mayor, other backers have stood by him.

The remaining 5 Democratic candidates are not as well known until now and include Isaac Wright Jr., lawyer; Art Chang, former managing director at JPMorgan Chase; Paperboy Prince, rapper and Congressional candidate; Jocelyn Taylor, chief executive of a general contracting firm; and Aaron Foldenauer, lawyer.

The two Republicans running for mayor include Curtis Sliwa, radio talk show host and founder of the Guardian Angels, and Fernando Mateo, restaurant operator and former leader of a trade group for cabdrivers

Endorsements

Organizations, labor and public figures have stepped up to endorse Eric Adams, Shaun Donovan, Kathryn Garcia, Ray McGuire, Diane Morales, Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley, Isaac Wright Jr., and Andrew Yang. Public figures and business leaders have also endorsed Raymond McGuire . Women’s groups have backed Wiley and more updates on the leading candidates in the 8 weeks to go before the primary. The Working Families Party has endorsed Wiley, Morales, and Stringer. This is who is endorsing the mayoral candidates as of May 3. Candidate websites list their endorsements as well, often under the Press title.

Political parties and public figures have endorsed the two Republican candidates.

Finances

New York City’s Campaign Finance Board matches small contributions from NYC residents allowing candidates who participate to receive up to $2,000 in public funds per eligible contributor. Numerous candidates have raised enough money to qualify for these public matching funds which can reach into the millions of dollars. In addition, candidate super PACs are flooding money into the New York mayoral election and are raising ethic concerns.

The New York City campaign finance summaries are updated daily. Raymond J. McGuire, Scott Stringer, Eric Adams, Shaun Donovan and Andrew Yang have the highest amount of private funds to date respectively. Candidates with the highest amount of public funds to date include Eric Adams, Scott Stringer, Andrew Yang, Maya Wiley, Fernando Mateo, Diane Morales and Shaun Donovan in that order.

The new mayor will be in charge of a city budget in the billions of dollars. How do they manage their own finances? Seven candidates provided tax information, and one refused.

Policies and Proposals

Documented and City & State asked eight Democratic mayoral candidates about their plans for the city’s immigrant residents. The same Democratic candidates were asked about police reform and lowering crime while raising confidence in the city’s police and law enforcement. Their positions on the economy range from Baby Bonds to a Universal Basic Income. They outlined their priorities on education and the possibility of running the country’s largest school system. The candidates shared their visions and strategies for prioritizing the city’s hundreds of miles of coastline as part of their climate change and economic recovery plan. Campaign websites, linked above, provide policy positions for all thirteen mayoral candidates

Comptroller

The Comptroller manages and audits the city’s coffers, while playing a key oversight role on city contracts — and many of the borough president seats. This money manager prepares audits and oversee how city agencies are spending their money, manages the city’s public pension funds — the largest in the world at $224.8 billion as of October 2020 – and issues bonds to help pay for large projects. The office is responsible for approving public borrowing, serves as the city’s chief auditor and reviews tens of thousands of contracts.

Those roles will be even more important given the financial difficulties caused by the pandemic. The city had a 20 percent unemployment rate, and is still projecting hefty future budget gaps. The comptroller will have an important role in overseeing how $6 billion in federal stimulus is spent. It is a four year term.

Candidates

This year’s comptroller race revolves around five elected Democratic officials: Brad Lander, NYC Councilman; Brian Benjamin, a state senator representing Harlem and the Upper West Side; Kevin Parker, a state senator from Brooklyn; and David Weprin, a state assemblyman from Queens. Lastly, a surprise late candidate, Corey Johnson, City Council Speaker, has clearly shaken up this key NYC election.

Two Democratic candidates still considered to be in the lead include Michele Caruso-Cabrera, CNBC financial journalist; and Zachary Iscol, cofounder of Headstrong and Task & Purpose

The remaining four Democrats include Terri Liftin, attorney and legal compliance expert; Chris McNickle, finance and banking background, author; Alex K. Pan, college student; and Reshma Patel, public finance, e-commerce, and data analytics.

The two Republicans running for Comptroller include Daby Carreras, money manager and John Tobacco, t.v. host on BizTV former Wall Street trader.

Endorsements

Brad Lander has the endorsement of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s in addition to U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, the Working Families Party, Make the Road Action and New York Communities for Change. Other organizations, labor and public figures have stepped up to endorse Brian Benjamin, Corey Johnson, Brad Lander, and David Weprin. Candidate websites list their endorsements as well, often under the Press title.

Finances

Comptroller candidates Brad Lander, Zachary Iscol, Corey Johnson, Brian Benjamin, David Weprin, Michele Caruso, and Kevin Parker have the highest amount of private funds to date respectively. The highest amount of public funds to date include Corey Johnson, Brad Lander, Zachary Iscol, Brian Benjamin and David Weprin in that order.

Policies and Proposals

Seven Democratic candidates shared proposals and goals for their term as Comptroller. Multiple ideas to focus on minority owned businesses, the NYPD budget, an audit of city agencies, a five borough investment strategy, affordable housing, use of the federal infusion of money, an NYC Land Bank, clean energy, and returns on pension investments. But who is the best fit for this fiscal/management/political job? The top six candidates all pitched themselves to the city’s chambers of commerce at a Feb. 2 forum hosted by the Five Borough Chamber Alliance. Campaign websites, linked above, provide more positions and proposals.

Public Advocate

The Public Advocate is an official watchdog for city policies and priorities — as well as for any bad actors the office sees fit to call out. The office of the public advocate looks into complaints from New Yorkers about all kinds of things — from city programs or agencies to tenant gripes about private landlords — and raises awareness on issues through written reports, research studies, news conferences, lawsuits, even rallies and protests. The office-holder has no vote in the City Council, but can introduce bills or co-sponsor them with members. The public advocate is also first in line to City Hall should the mayor become unable to fulfill the duties of the office.

Candidates

Jumaane Williams (D) has been public advocate since 2019 and previously served as the City Council representative for Brooklyn’s District 45. Theo Chino (D) is a French-born bitcoin entrepreneur and system engineer who joined the Democratic Socialists of America in 2018. Anthony Herbert (I) is is a longtime anti-violence activist and media consultant from Brooklyn. Devi Nampiaparampil (R) is a physician and professor at the NYU School of Medicine and television health commentator.

Policies and Proposals

As public advocate, Jumaane Williams introduced legislation to the City Council on housing and criminal justice issues as well as published reports on topics such as the mental health crisis and the chronic underfunding of CUNY. Theo Chino would support efforts to fix the MTA and improve housing for New Yorkers. Anthony Herbert will focus on affordable housing, sex trafficking, and criminal justice. Devi Nampiaparampil wants to prioritize jobs, incentive pay and Covid 19 recovery. Candidate websites, linked above, provide more information.

Endorsements

Candidate websites list their endorsements as well, often under the Press title.

Finances

Public Advocate candidates are listed on the NYC Campaign Finance Board. Jumaane Williams leads with the most amount of private funding, followed by Anthony Herbert, Theo Chino and Devi Nampiaparampil respectively. No candidates have used public funds.

Borough President

The Borough President largely serves as an ambassador for their borough with a direct line to the mayor or even governor to discuss prevailing issues impacting their corner of New York City. She/he appoints half the members to a borough’s community boards; one member to the Panel for Educational Policy to decide on school-related matters; and one member to the City Planning Commission that reviews zoning applications. Like the public advocate, a borough president can propose legislation through a Council member who then introduces the bill “at the behest of the borough president.” They have influence over land use and development projects in their borough. They are empowered to offer an advisory vote during what is often a lengthy public review process. And they can do this by holding public hearings on any proposed rezoning, using it as an auxiliary bully pulpit to make the case for or against a rezoning.

Brooklyn (pop. 2.6M) 14 Candidates

Robert Cornegy (D); Kimberly Council (D); Khari Edwards (D); Robert Elstein (D); Mathieu Eugene (D); Pearlene Fields (D); Anthony T. Jones (D); Trisha Ocona (D); Shanduke McPhatter (D); Menachem Raitport (R and C); Robert Ramos Jr. (D); Antonio Reynoso (D); Jo Anne Simon (D); and Lamor Whitehead-Miller (D)

Joanne Simon, Robert Cornegy, Antonio Reynoso, Khari Edwards and Kimberly Council are the leading private fund and public fund raisers to date respectively. The top tier include Council members and an Assembly member and have received numerous endorsements. The candidates in this highly competitive race offered specifics on Brooklyn’s lack of affordable housing, the future of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), large-scale re-zonings, criminal justice, transit infrastructure, coastal resiliency, and more. Specific policy proposals on candidates’ websites.

Queens (pop. 2.3M) 7 Candidates

Elizabeth Crowley (D); Danniel Maio (R); Stan Morse (D); Donovan Richards (D); Diana Sanchez (D), Jimmy Van Bramer (D); Thomas Zmich (R and C),

Jimmy VanBramer, Donovan Richards and Elizabeth Crowley have the highest amount of private funds to date respectively. Elizabeth Crowley, Jimmy VanBramer and Donovan Richards have the highest amount of public funding in that order. Donovan Richards, the present Queens Borough President, has received a large number of endorsements. Van Bramer has won support from the progressive wing of the party, while Crowley considers herself a moderate. Transportation, infrastructure, public safety and affordable housing remain a priority in this race. The candidates present what they believe are the top three most pressing issues facing the borough of Queens.

Manhattan (pop 1.6M) 9 Candidates

Lindsey Boylan (D); Elizabeth Caputo (D); Brad Hoylman (D); Benjamin Kallos (D); Mark Levine (D); Michael Lewyn (L); Guillermo Perez (D); Louis Puliafito (R); Kimberly Watkins (D)

Mark Levine, Brad Hoylman, Benjamin Kallos, Lindsey Boylan and Elizabeth Caputo have the highest amount of private funds to date respectively. Candidates with the highest amount of public funds to date include Brad Hoylman, Mark Levine, Benjamin Kallos, Elizabeth Caputo and Linksey Boylan, in that order. Candidate websites list their endorsements as well, often under the Press title. Hunter College offered a forum on April 6 which offered a chance for the leading candidates to discuss the issues of affordable housing, education, economic justice, transportation, and environmentalism.

The Bronx (pop. 1.4M) 7 Candidates

Fernando Cabrera (D); Nathalia Fernandez (D); Vanessa Gibson (D); Samuel Ravelo (D and C); Luis Sepulveda (D)

Fernando Cabrera, Nathalia Fernandez, Vanessa Gibson, and Luis Sepulveda have the highest amount of private funds to date respectively. Candidates with the highest amount of public funds to date include Fernando Cabrera, Vanessa Gibson, Nathalia Fernandez and Luis Sepulveda , in that order. A Republican leaning police union and the the Northwest Bronx Democrats have endorsed Fernando Cabrera. City & State recently spoke with Cabrera about why he is running for the Bronx’s top job. Nathalia Fernandez accused Cabrera of being a bigot in an editorial. Vanessa Gibson received endorsements from major union and public officials . Candidate Luis Sepulveda was arrested on a charge that he choked his estranged wife. The leading candidates were asked what the three most pressing issues their borough is facing, and their opinions on housing, health care, crime and economic development. News 12 offers extensive video interviews with each.

Staten Island (pop. 476K)

Lorie Honor (D); Mark Murphy (D); Steven Matteo (R); Radhakrishna Mohan (D); Leticia Remauro (R and C); Brandon Stradford (D); Cesar Vargas (D) and Jhong Kim (R);

Steven Matteo, Leticia Remauro, Mark Murphy and Lorraine Honor have the highest amount of private funds to date respectively. The four candidates with the highest amount of public funds to date include Steven Matteo, Lorraine Honor, Leticia Rermauro and Mark Murphy , in that order. Staten Island political committees did weigh in. Right now, City Councilmember Stephen Matteo and author and business owner Leticia Remauro are vying for the Republican nomination for borough president. Leticia Remauro sparked an uproar by invoking Hitler at a rally against Gov. Cuomo’s pandemic restrictions on small businesses. History suggests Republicans will easily retain the Staten Island borough presidency, an office they have held since 1989. But Lorie Honor, one of three Democrats in the borough president race or considering it, says she thinks the seat is winnable. Michael Murphy, another Democrat has been endorsed by the Staten Island Democratic Party. Leading issues in Staten Island include housing, transportation, and public safety.

District Attorney

A District Attorney is the top prosecutor for a town, city, county or state. In New York City, each borough, which are each a separate county, has its own district attorney. The DA has wide latitude on what and how to prosecute, whether to seek bail and in what manner plea bargains are made. The DA election will NOT use the much talked about ranked choice voting. 

Manhattan District Attorney

Candidates

Eight Democratic candidates are competing to become the borough’s top prosecutor. It’s the only competitive DA race in the city this year. Tahanie Aboushi , a human rights attorney; Alvin Bragg , chief deputy attorney general for New York State; Liz Crotty, previous assistant district attorney, Tali Farhadian Weinstein, previous  general counsel for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Diana Florence, Manhattan DA prosecutor; Lucy Lang, previous prosecutor at Manhattan District Attorney’s Office; Eliza Orlins , public defender for Legal Aid Society, and Dan Quart, State Assembly Member. Thomas Kenniff , a military Judge Advocate General, is the one Republican in the race.

Endorsements & Financial Statements

Endorsements can be found on the candidates’ websites. The latest financial information I could attain for everyone was back in January. More recently questions have been raised about Tali Farhadian Weinstein’s $2.2 million war chest which is far more than her rivals in the Manhattan district attorney race. Her opponents, legal ethicists and good government advocates have raised questions about that support, pointing out that the Manhattan district attorney, by virtue of geography, has jurisdiction over a large number of financial crimes.

Platforms and Proposals

Whoever wins this election could transform law enforcement in America’s biggest city with policies aiming to imprison fewer people. The winner will also inherit one of the nation’s most politically fraught cases: a criminal investigation into former president Donald Trump’s business dealings. Nearly all said they would jail fewer people for minor crimes and address systemic racial bias. Most would eliminate or curtail cash bail, which they argue disproportionately impacts poor defendants. The election is being watched as a test of what a borough considered to be a liberal bastion wants from its head prosecutor, and just how deeply voters want the criminal justice system to change. Aboushi, Orlins and Quart have argued that the core work of the district attorney’s office needs to be revamped, shifting toward reducing incarceration and cutting back prosecution of low-level crimes. Bragg, Lang, Weinstein and Florence largely agree. But they have pitched themselves as occupying a middle ground, focused on less sweeping changes. Crotty has been less vocal in calling for systemic change.

Brooklyn District Attorney

Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn district attorney, will run again for his seat. So far, no challengers have declared in the race, state campaign records show.

City Council

All 51 Council district seats in the New York City’s legislative body have an election this year. City Council members are responsible for proposing and voting on bills relating to all aspects of civic life. Bills passed by the Council go to the mayor for to be signed into law. It can override a veto from the mayor with a vote of at least two-thirds of the members. The Council also negotiates with the mayor to pass the city budget every year. Each member has his or her own discretionary budget to fund local projects and groups. The Council holds oversight hearings through its many committees. And, critically, the body votes to approve or reject development projects that need public approval.

The League of Women Voters and/or the New York City Council website will help you determine what district you live in. This is a map of candidates running in each Council district in the city.

I’ve profiled a few Council races. Feel free to use this model to inform your own decision. Once you’ve determined who your candidates are, research newspaper stories on that race. Use their websites to see where they stand on the policies important to you. The New York City Campaign Finance Board will give you a daily profile of their fund raising efforts to date.

District 1 – Manhattan – all Democrats

• Christopher Marte
• Denny Salas
• Gigi Li
• Jenny Low
• Maud Maron
• Sean Hayes
• Susan Damplo
• Susan Lee
• Tiffany Winbush

Christopher Marte, Jenny Low, Maud Maron, Susan Damplo and Gigi Li have the highest amount of private funds to date, respectively. The candidates with the highest amount of public funds, in order are Maud Maron, Gigi Li, Jenny Low, Christopher Marte, and Susan Lee. The leading five candidates websites provide endorsements and platforms for issues facing the district. Development in lower Manhattan, a planned jail and socioeconomic recovery will be front and center in this crowded race for lower Manhattan.

District 4 – Manhattan

Incumbent Democrat Keith Powers is running unopposed for re-election. The NYC Campaign Finance Board reports his private funds to date. His focus will be on navigating a fiscal crisis, strengthening the social safety net, securing housing protections for tenants, and addressing the continued disparities in this city. He is a member of the NewDEAL, a selective national network of exceptional, rising, pro-growth progressive state and local elected leaders.

District 7 – Manhattan – all Democrats

• Carmen Quinones
• Corey Ortega
• Daniel Cohen 
• Keith Harris
• Lena Melendez
• Luis Tejada
• Maria Ordoñez
• Marti Allen-Cummings
• Miguel Estrella
• Raymond Sanchez
• Shaun Abreu
• Stacy Lynch

Marti Allen-Cummings, Shaun Abreu, Daniel Cohen, Raymond Sanchez, and Stacy Lynch have the highest amount of private funds to date, respectively. Four candidates; Daniel Cohen, Maria Ordonez, Marti Allen-Cummings and Shaun Abreu, are in a tie for substantial public funds. This is followed by Luis Tejada, Stacy Lynch, Corey Ortega and Raymond Sanchez in that order. Candidates’ websites provide endorsements and platforms for issues facing the district. Eight candidates addressed long-standing issues like housing inaccessibility, environmental concerns, and education reform to the Columbia Daily Spectator.

District 32 – Queens

• Bella Matias (D)
• Felicia Singh (D)
• Helal Sheikh (D)
• Kaled Alamarie (D)
• Michael Scala (D)
• Shaeleigh Severino (D)
• Joanne Ariola (R)
• Kenichi Wilson (D)

Kaled Alamarie, Felicia Singh, Shaeleigh Severino, Michael Scala, and Helal Sheikh have the highest amount of private funds to date, respectively. Felicia Singh and Kaled Alamarie are in a tie for first place in public funds, followed by Michael Scala, Helal Sheikh, Joanne Ariola and Kenichi Wilson. Candidates’ websites provide endorsements and platforms for issues facing the district. The candidates discuss issues such as economic recovery, infrastructure, education, environmental resilience and public safety.

District 35 – Brooklyn – all Democrats

• Crystal Hudson
• Curtis Harris
• Deirdre Levy
• Hector Robertson
• Michael Hollingsworth
• Regina Kinsey
• Renee Collymore

Crystal Hudson, Michael Hollingsworth, and Curtis Harris have the highest amount of private funds to date, respectively. Crystal Hudson and Michael Hollingsworth are in a tie for first place in public funds, followed by Curtis Harris and Regina Kinsey. Candidates’ websites provide endorsements and platforms for issues facing the district. Crystal Hudson is in a tight race with fellow progressive Michael Hollingsworth, a tenant activist. Affordable housing, increasing development, education and police reform are among the issues facing these candidates.

District 36 – Brooklyn – all Democrats

• Chi Ossé
• Henry Butler
• Reginald Swiney
• Robert Waterman
• Tahirah Moore

Chi Osse, Henry Butler, Robert Waterman and Tahirah Moore have the highest amount of private funds to date, respectively. Chi Osse and Henry Butler are in a tie for first place in public funds, followed by Robert Waterman and Tahirah Moore. Candidates’ websites provide endorsements and platforms for issues facing the district. The candidates discussed the issues facing the district including the crises of gun violence, a lack of affordable housing, deed theft, struggling small businesses, and deteriorating conditions in public housing.

District 39 – Brooklyn – all Democrats

• Brandon West
• Briget Rein
• Douglas Schneider
• Jessica Simmons
• Justin Krebs
• Mamnunul Haq
• Shahana Hanif

Briget Rein, Shahana Hanif, Brandon West, Justin Krebs, Douglas Schneider and Mamnunul Haq have the highest amount of private funds to date, respectively. Douglas Schneider, Justin Krebs and Shahana Hanif are in a tie for first place in public funds, followed by Brandon West and Mamnunul Haq in a tie in second place, followed by Briget Rein. The six leading candidates have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. They discussed the issues of affordable housing, infrastructure, economic recovery and land use to the Brooklyn Paper.

District 50 – Staten Island

• David Carr (R)
• Jordan Hafizi (R)
• Kathleen Sforza (R)
• Marko Kepi (R)
• Sam Pirozzolo (R)
• Sal Albanese (D)

Marko Kepi, David Carr, Sal Albanese and Sam Pirozzolo have the highest amount of private funds to date, respectively. David Carr and Marko Kepi are in a tie for first place in public funds, followed by Sal Albanese and Sam Pirozzolo. Candidates’ websites provide endorsements and platforms for issues facing the district. Some candidates discussed their platforms on economic recovery, education, public safety and taxes.

How Important Are Endorsements?

It varies. For neighborhood-based races like the City Council, an endorsement from an influential political club, progressive coalition or popular community leader can make all the difference. I have often been informed by the United Federation of Teachers endorsements as they scrutinize the candidate education policies. As a CUNY alumni, I also trust the judgement of the Professional Staff Congress . The Scott Stringer accusation has changed the most recent mayoral endorsements . In the end, it’s my own decision to make based on the candidates’s policies, experience and community involvement.

Next Post: Nassau, Suffolk County, NY and New Jersey races.