Times Opinion convened a
panel of New Yorkers to
assess the mayoral candidates
for the Nov. 4 election.
Oct. 29, 2025
On a scale from 0-10, we asked panelists to rate each candidate’s potential to be a great mayor of New York City.
New York City has rarely had a mayoral election so transfixing, or with such critical stakes for its future. In the cross hairs of President Trump’s assault on America’s cities and facing an acute affordability crisis, voters will choose on Nov. 4 from a unique slate of candidates: Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, who surprised experts by winning the Democratic primary in June; Andrew Cuomo, the three-term governor forced to resign amid a wave of sexual misconduct accusations, now running as an independent; and Curtis Sliwa, a Republican making his second run for mayor.
Times Opinion brought together 14 panelists to assess the candidates and their ability to lead the city; 11 returned from the panel we convened for the Democratic primary in June. In particular, the panelists explored how Mr. Cuomo stacked up against Mr. Mamdani, who has maintained a steady lead in the polls after energizing a broad coalition of voters with a message laser-focused on the cost of living.
Some of the panelists who favored Brad Lander, the city’s comptroller, in the June primary, embraced Mr. Mamdani’s vision for fresh approaches to seemingly intractable problems, while placing a bet that he would overcome his relative inexperience in government. “We’re riding on hope here,” said one. Many agreed with another panelist’s assessment that it was “time for a generational shift.” A few panelists spoke favorably about Mr. Cuomo’s long experience in government, but most felt he represented a tired and pugilistic style of politics and hadn’t done enough to change that dynamic.
The Choice was compiled by editors in Times Opinion using a brief questionnaire, material from a round-table discussion in early October and individual discussions. The material has been edited for length and clarity.
After one participant dropped out late in the process, Joseph Borelli was added to the panel, but not in time for the round-table discussion; He conveyed his views in an interview and in the questionnaire.
Eleanor Randolph Journalist and former Times editorial board member
It seems to be like Mamdani goes to win, however you by no means know completely what’s going to occur in an election. We’re driving on hope right here as a result of we don’t actually know who this man is, in the end, however he’s doing plenty of the precise issues, like speaking and listening to folks within the enterprise group as a part of understanding how sophisticated this metropolis is.
Caitlin Kawaguchi Nonprofit strategist and community representative in Brooklyn
I hear that we don’t know definitively how he will likely be as mayor, whereas with Cuomo, we’ve got his background. However I believe with Cuomo, his background just isn’t good, proper? We’ve seen that he rewards his donors. We’ve seen that he retaliates in opposition to people who oppose him.
When he’s had a platform, he’s used it to his personal private acquire.
Amit Singh Bagga Democratic strategist and former city official
On his core points, Mamdani has stayed remarkably constant. He’s had a laser give attention to affordability and high quality of life as it’s skilled. And that’s the No. 1 concern going through New Yorkers. Like Eleanor, I’ve been happy and inspired by what I’ve skilled as real and honest outreach to corners of New York Metropolis society and economic system that maybe have been very skeptical of him. And he has demonstrated a outstanding diploma of openness that many politicians don’t appear to have, a willingness to study.
Neil Blumenthal Co-founder and co-chief executive of Warby Parker
That is successfully a two-way alternative. On the one hand, you will have any person who has a wealth of expertise, has been an lawyer basic, a governor, a cupboard secretary. And however, you will have any person who hardly has work expertise. In order that’s what it comes right down to for me.
Joseph Borelli Republican former city councilman from Staten Island
Andrew Cuomo is not going to be as conservative as I’d like him to be. I believe he received’t be as progressive as others would love him to be. I believe he’ll be extra average by definition. And that, to me, is a greater final result than having somebody who will virtually at all times be trying to speed up the progressive socialist agenda. Mamdani is operating not simply to repair the potholes. He’s operating to implement a imaginative and prescient of presidency that isn’t shared on my own and never shared by plenty of New Yorkers.
Mitchell L. Moss Urban policy professor at N.Y.U.
I believe Mamdani’s a compelling candidate with huge upside however far more draw back than folks acknowledge. He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. He’s ready to surrender management of the varsity system, and that may be a path to extra schooling failure, not better success.
Policywise, he has a skinny agenda. The hire stabilization that he proposes wouldn’t assist folks in NYCHA [the city’s public housing agency]. It doesn’t assist individuals who hire in two-family houses. Nevertheless it’s very enticing symbolically. Affordability is a good idea, however as at no cost buses, the buses aren’t really underneath his management, however underneath an M.T.A. board.
Antonio Weiss Financial executive and former U.S. Treasury official
There’s lots to unpack in what Mitchell mentioned. Because the ’70s we’ve had the Monetary Emergency Act, which requires a balanced funds. And so the funds must also be considered a set of decisions that the mayor and the Metropolis Council make concerning the allocation of assets. Mamdani has been clear concerning the priorities he would set in a approach that this present administration has not carried out. And look, we’re going to be in a pitched battle subsequent 12 months with a federal administration that’s withholding funds.
New York State handed its funds as if none of this have been occurring. New York Metropolis handed its funds as if none of this have been occurring. And what Mamdani has proven us is he’s reaching out throughout the board. And sure, that’s a coalition to get elected. It’s additionally a coalition to manipulate.
Frederick A. Davie Senior executive vice president at Union Theological Seminary
I need to discover just a little little bit of an intangible. Mamdani has tapped into the way in which that a complete swath of this metropolis that’s lots youthful than me understands and experiences life. And he’s in a position to not solely grasp that, however give voice to plenty of what they’re feeling and supply options and instructions that they’ll connect with. And I believe there’s a genius in that we shouldn’t miss or dismiss. And I believe that very same genius will be delivered to bear on governing the town. It’s in all probability time for a generational shift in management on this metropolis.
Iwen Chu Former New York State senator representing South Brooklyn
Brad [Lander] was my alternative within the major, after which Brad now just isn’t on the ticket. What possibility do I’ve?
For me, there are 4 components. We take a look at the previous on your document. We take a look at the longer term on your imaginative and prescient. We take a look at your group, your management. We take a look at your private ethics. That’s how I ranked it.And I believe Mamdani’s method, how he dealt with police, public security, schooling, Israel points, enterprise is all the identical: He listens. So I believe how he builds his group is essential, to construct the belief for the voters.
Frederick A. Davie Senior executive vice president at Union Theological Seminary
So Mamdani’s underneath no phantasm that Trump’s going to make it straightforward for him. However he additionally is aware of it’s not a battle he has to struggle alone, that he has the governor, state legislative leaders and members of Congress.
Christina M. Greer Political scientist and a host of the “FAQ NYC” podcast
I don’t belief Cuomo to guard New York Metropolis. I believe that he’ll acquiesce to Donald Trump in ways in which he says he received’t, however he’s plenty of bluster.
I do agree with Mamdani within the sense that it’ll take Hakeem [Jeffries] and Chuck [Schumer] having a spine and supporting him in plenty of methods. I do suppose we will likely be penalized — as a metropolis economically, if not worse, with the Nationwide Guard and ICE brokers.Is Mamdani a perfect candidate, 33 years outdated, who’s by no means been citywide elected? [Mr. Mamdani turned 34 after this discussion took place.] No. Are these the playing cards that we’ve got and we’re going to play them? Sure. And I believe I’m optimistic with him, form of, getting folks energy to withstand the Trump administration and the draconian insurance policies that can come out of Washington, D.C.
Joseph Borelli Republican former city councilman from Staten Island
I believe this concern has been framed to be one-sided. Why will we assume that Trump goes to return after New York when, in actuality, Mamdani goes to learn politically from going after the Trump administration, and being the main far-left determine in American politics?
Jared Trujillo Law professor and former defense lawyer
I believe that Andrew Cuomo really had a very good alternative to push again on the Trump administration after they threatened to arrest somebody — Mamdani — who received a Democratic contest for mayor. He didn’t. And I believe that’s actually indicative of who Andrew Cuomo is. To the extent he was an efficient chief, it’s as a result of he was a bully. He can’t take care of Trump, somebody with extra energy than him.
Whitney Toussaint Co-president of Community Education Council 30 in Queens
On Trump, Cuomo has already bought out. He’s not likely spoken out in opposition to the dangerous issues the Trump administration has already carried out. He’s courting lots of the identical sorts of voters.
Howard Wolfson Deputy mayor in the Bloomberg administration
I’ve been profoundly dissatisfied by the dearth of dialog about schooling through the marketing campaign from all of the candidates. The Occasions lately revealed a narrative, 140,000 homeless college students in New York. And I don’t hear the candidates actually speaking an terrible lot about learn how to tackle what’s, for my part, a very systemic disaster. I believe the mayor needs to be operating the varsity system. There needs to be some extent of accountability. If mother and father really feel like they’ve been shut out and Mamdani feels that approach, too, he can deliver them in.
Neil Blumenthal Co-founder and co-chief executive of Warby Parker
I believe round one million college students having a faculty system overseen by somebody who has managed an workplace of 5 or so folks and solely has a couple of years of expertise within the State Meeting —
I believe that may be a main abdication of duty by us as voters to these children, to place any person answerable for them that has so little expertise. And to layer on, he’s been in opposition to mayoral management of the colleges, which is the only most necessary governance concern for our faculties, and to make sure that we’re educating our children.
Whitney Toussaint Co-president of Community Education Council 30 in Queens
On faculty management, the legislation is what the legislation is. He’ll nonetheless should appoint a chancellor and members to the panel of schooling coverage. The mayor nonetheless has to try this. However we do want to have interaction mother and father who’re energetic.
Mamdani is listening to us on schooling. Cuomo is speaking at us as a substitute of together with mother and father like me in these discussions. We’re talked at. You understand what Eric Adams known as us? Skilled mother and father. Nicely, rattling it, I’m.
Caitlin Kawaguchi Nonprofit strategist and community representative in Brooklyn
On housing, it’s a central concern to New Yorkers of all ages, particularly renters. I believe there’s an actual want for not solely a give attention to constructing, which I believe is essential, but in addition deep affordability.
One factor that’s actually resonating with people, together with myself, about Mamdani’s platform is that it appears like he’s keen to attempt new issues and to push the envelope. Freezing the hire is one thing particular to rent-stabilized tenants, which isn’t all of New York. However I believe it’s emblematic of a dedication to eager about options in a approach that may be talked about and communicated.
Jared Trujillo Law professor and former defense lawyer
Housing just isn’t my first concern. But when it have been, I believe I’d be actually enthusiastic about Zohran. It has been an enormous a part of his affordability messaging. And simply how he’s prioritizing it, I can inform that he cares lots about it.
Howard Wolfson Deputy mayor in the Bloomberg administration
Cuomo had the sting on this final time we met as a result of he didn’t name for defunding the police. And he didn’t name them racists, which Mamdani did and has now walked again from. This was like 5 years in the past, through the starting of his political profession.
Jared Trujillo Law professor and former defense lawyer
And after George Floyd died, we noticed 10 minutes of individuals really caring about racialized policing. Now we’re seeing actual retrenchment from that. I believe that’s the reason Cuomo was given a lot unearned grace. One thing that we haven’t actually talked about right here but is that Mamdani is the primary Muslim candidate who has a really actual probability of changing into mayor. For many of his life, he’s more likely to have been profiled due to who he’s than to be mayor, to be any elected official in any respect by any means.
And so I don’t actually like the truth that he walked these statements again. On the finish of the day, is it reflective of coverage? I really am just a little bit anxious that it’s.
A. Mychal Johnson South Bronx social justice advocate
Mamdani has talked about how policing alone can’t clear up social points occurring on the road — trauma, psychological well being, housing. If the police are the primary in, folks in disaster find yourself in Rikers, not in care. That’s not the reply.
I’ve personally been stopped and frisked. Who else on this room has been? OK, solely folks of shade. Mamdani’s method right here is, how will we do issues just a little bit otherwise? Andrew Cuomo needs to extend the police pressure. Is that the reply? I say no. We want police. Who doesn’t say we’d like police? However we additionally want the group care and infrastructure that truly make all of us protected. Cuomo hasn’t proven a willingness to do something otherwise.
Joseph Borelli Republican former city councilman from Staten Island
I believe Sliwa can be the very best to take care of policing, however he’s not going to win. I believe he has a extra rational view: that there are dangerous individuals who should be prosecuted, punished and put in jail.
Iwen Chu Former New York State senator representing South Brooklyn
Public security and policing are completely totally different topics. College security, psychological well being, homeless points: They’re all public security.
However policing and the amount of the police will not be equal to public security. Mamdani needs to carry the legislation enforcement accountable — that’s policing. How he can construct a coalition and work with the legislation enforcement and ensure our legislation enforcement is purposeful — that’s a separate topic.
Eleanor Randolph Journalist and former Times editorial board member
There’s one other concern in addition to public security. And that’s how the police and the mayor are going to take care of the opportunity of the president and his group sending up folks to stroll across the streets with their weapons out and all that form of stuff.
You’ll be able to hear the drumbeat and he’s coming after New York. So how does that work with a police division and the way in which the subsequent mayor operates?
Neil Blumenthal Co-founder and co-chief executive of Warby Parker
I believe it’s necessary to have a look at the info. The information exhibits that extra cops within the subway, on the streets and on corners in high-crime neighborhoods can cut back crime.
Between Cuomo and Mamdani, one is proposing increasing the police pressure and one candidate just isn’t. When Mamdani claims that he needs to defund the police after which now claims to be an advocate and a champion for N.Y.P.D., are we imagined to consider that he’s going to have the ability to lead and encourage the nation’s largest municipal police pressure to do their greatest work?
Frederick A. Davie Senior executive vice president at Union Theological Seminary
Eric Adams was in all probability probably the most pro-police mayor that we’ve had shortly. And we’re nonetheless hemorrhaging cops.
So I’m undecided that that in and of itself will get us to the place we need to be. Might Andrew Cuomo have a greater relationship with the N.Y.P.D. than Zohran Mamdani would or might? The reply to that’s in all probability at first, sure. However once more, I believe what we’re seeing with Mamdani is that what he understands is that he must combination round him individuals who have experience in areas and locations the place he doesn’t.
Howard Wolfson Deputy mayor in the Bloomberg administration
Mamdani has energized an infinite quantity of people that have been beforehand exterior of the political course of and didn’t see themselves as central to it. And to overlook that may be an infinite mistake and, as a Democrat, fully silly.
The flip facet of that’s that the Democratic institution — of which, for higher or worse, principally, I’m one thing of a card-carrying member — totally failed throughout this marketing campaign. It tried to raise candidates that have been deeply flawed, have been unable to solidify behind individuals who would have been in a position to current a substitute for Mamdani.
Caitlin Kawaguchi Nonprofit strategist and community representative in Brooklyn
It’s not as if the institution might have produced a Mamdani. The Democratic Celebration has not been participating with people who may very well be the subsequent nice electeds. And it’s not going to be only a one that presents in the identical approach as Mamdani. We’ve seen campaigns throughout the nation who want to emulate his marketing campaign by doing walking-style TikTok movies. However that’s not what was nice about Mamdani’s marketing campaign. It was nice as a result of it was connecting with on a regular basis New Yorkers round points that matter to them, that offered inventive options.
Christina M. Greer Political scientist and a host of the “FAQ NYC” podcast
I’ve some robust critiques of the Democratic Socialists of America nonetheless, however they’ve been utilizing their community as a method to deliver folks into the political fold in a approach that the events haven’t. I believe plenty of voters really feel actually disrespected by the institution. As a result of the voters spoke on June 24 and mentioned: We don’t need you, Andrew Cuomo. Go house.
Jared Trujillo Law professor and former defense lawyer
I’ve to suppose that plenty of the refusal to help Mamdani is Islamophobia. And I believe that there’s going to be an actual reckoning with that sooner or later.
Iwen Chu Former New York State senator representing South Brooklyn
I misplaced my election final 12 months as a result of Democrats don’t know learn how to tackle value of dwelling. When the first end result got here out, it was like: What am I going to do as a voter, as an immigrant? I checked out Mamdani’s insurance policies once more. Certain, I do need these city-run grocery shops down my block. Do I would like free buses? Sure, I do. New York State really can afford statewide common free lunch, faculty lunch. It’s nearly priorities. We don’t have a shot if we don’t attempt. We have to attempt.
Antonio Weiss Financial executive and former U.S. Treasury official
Democrats should embrace profitable and be a bit extra fearless about that. As necessary or extra necessary than this election is that, as soon as elected, Mamdani succeeds, and the Democrats abandon their method of disqualifying and discouraging profitable candidates and as a substitute begin investing of their success.
A. Mychal Johnson South Bronx social justice advocate
Mamdani is operating like he needs to serve. It’s not like he’s operating for a job or for energy. And we too usually have candidates who’re about energy and management, not group.
Amit Singh Bagga Democratic strategist and former city official
A few of his guarantees are achievable independently on the metropolis degree; others require actual partnership with Albany. General, these recent concepts are proxies for objectives that he needs to realize as a result of they’re the core points that folks face each day.
Joseph Borelli Republican former city councilman from Staten Island
I believe the town was ripe for brand spanking new concepts. The issue is, a few of these concepts aren’t actually sensible or financially possible. We are able to speak about free buses, however what occurs if you take, , $800 million out of the fare field of the M.T.A.? How will we make up for that shortfall?
How does this have an effect on the necessity to increase tolls and congestion pricing down the street? These are all scary issues.
Whitney Toussaint Co-president of Community Education Council 30 in Queens
The common youngster care that he’s proposing. He needs households of newborns to get child baskets, one thing they do around the globe. You don’t understand how costly these items are till it’s a must to go purchasing for a child.
And I’m going to deliver it again to what Mychal mentioned, as a result of I like what you mentioned. He’s operating like somebody who needs to serve.
Mitchell L. Moss Urban policy professor at N.Y.U.
We mainly have hope versus despair. Cuomo is despair. Each has totally different strengths. However my college students are working for Mamdani. And I imply of each race and revenue.
Howard Wolfson Deputy mayor in the Bloomberg administration
On Israel, I consider his views are deeply felt.
I occur to be in very robust disagreement with him on this space. There was an actual effort post-primary to encourage him to sentence the phrase “globalize the intifada.” To his credit score, he met with and spoke with many individuals who shared their very robust issues about that. And I consider that he was sincerely listening. In the long run, the place he landed was he was going to discourage folks from utilizing it.That was a very very long time to brew some actually weak tea. I believe it was indicative of a really strongly held set of beliefs on his half which are very a lot at odds with my set of beliefs and the set of beliefs of lots of my pals and neighbors.
Mitchell L. Moss Urban policy professor at N.Y.U.
I believe that we’ve got to understand that he’s not altering. This can be a perception. And if you purchase the mayor, you purchase the assumption.
Mitchell L. Moss Urban policy professor at N.Y.U.
We must always acknowledge the lunacy of voting for Sliwa. I’m not saying he’s not going to get votes, however it’s a wasted vote.
Jared Trujillo Law professor and former defense lawyer
I might vote for Sliwa earlier than Cuomo.
Amit Singh Bagga Democratic strategist and former city official
So would I.
Jared Trujillo Law professor and former defense lawyer
That’s saying lots. To be clear, Sliwa just isn’t the lovable eccentric some make him out to be — he’s not a critical candidate. His platform is riddled with proposals {that a} mayor can’t really enact, like rolling again the 2019 state tenant protections that solely Albany can contact. Different components of his agenda veer into the downright Orwellian. He’s not even a Bloomberg Republican. On coverage, he’s Trump in a purple beret.
That mentioned, I do suppose he’s genuinely dedicated to ending the inhumane follow of horse-drawn carriages. He’s probably the most certified candidate for equine liberation, and that’s it.
Christina M. Greer Political scientist and a host of the “FAQ NYC” podcast
I believe Sliwa will do higher than anticipated. There’s going to be some people who find themselves like: This 33-year-old child and a few of these concepts are simply perhaps a bridge too far for me. [Mr. Mamdani turned 34 after this discussion took place.] And Cuomo is an absolute no. And there are some individuals who won’t ever be capable to vote for a nonwhite individual.
Mitchell L. Moss Urban policy professor at N.Y.U.
I like the way in which during which Mamdani has framed his perception that we are able to make the town higher. His work in political campaigns has been terrific. The proof that he’s an incredible supervisor is the good marketing campaign he ran. However operating for workplace and governing are reverse abilities. One is efficiency artwork. The opposite is a day-to-day job of distributing not simply pleasure and advantages, however ache, too.
Antonio Weiss Financial executive and former U.S. Treasury official
Mamdani’s appointments, if he wins, will matter lots. Who’s going to be the primary deputy mayor? Is there going to be a deputy mayor charged with determining learn how to combine the Division of Neighborhood Security with the N.Y.P.D.? Each indication is that he’s going about not simply his marketing campaign however his transition with the intent of offering convincing solutions to all of that.
Neil Blumenthal Co-founder and co-chief executive of Warby Parker
There’s only a massive distinction between operating a marketing campaign and operating one of many largest cities on the earth. Expertise issues for the second most necessary job in America.
A. Mychal Johnson South Bronx social justice advocate
I’m simply listening to all these feedback about Mamdani’s relative lack of expertise, however the ones who had expertise didn’t ship for the individuals who mobilized behind Mamdani. These are folks and communities who’ve been left behind for many years.
Christina M. Greer Political scientist and a host of the “FAQ NYC” podcast
Nicely, we’ve received somebody who has crucial job in America who has zero expertise. Take an opportunity.
About our panel These 14 local leaders assessed the candidates independently, as individual voters, not on behalf of their organizations. Joseph Borelli was unable to attend the round-table discussion and provided his comments in separate interviews. Some panelists made donations to candidates; that information is disclosed in their biographies.
Amit Singh Bagga is a Democratic strategist who runs a political consulting firm and a veteran of New York State, city and federal government. While in city government, he helped lead the 2020 census campaign. In 2021 he made an unsuccessful bid to represent City Council District 26 in Queens.
He has contributed $100 to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign.
Neil Blumenthal is a co-founder and co-chief executive of the New York-based eyewear company Warby Parker. Since 2015, the company has partnered with New York City agencies and organizations to provide free eyeglasses to students. Mr. Blumenthal also serves on the boards of Robin Hood, Tech:NYC and the Partnership Fund for New York City.
Joseph Borelli is a Republican former city councilman who represented the South Shore of Staten Island for nearly 10 years. He was the council’s minority leader from 2021 to 2025 and chaired its Committee on Fire and Emergency Management. He served in the New York State Assembly for three years and currently works as a political strategist.
Iwen Chu is a former state senator from South Brooklyn and a former State Assembly aide and community education council member. During her two years in office, she helped secure funding for schools and Asian American community organizations. Ms. Chu was the first Asian American woman to serve in the State Senate.
Frederick A. Davie is a senior executive vice president at Union Theological Seminary in Morningside Heights. He helps lead community and civic engagement with social and economic justice organizations. He also has served in New York City administrations since the 1990s. He was deputy borough president of Manhattan in the mid-1990s and was chair of the board responsible for civilian oversight of the New York Police Department from 2017 to 2022.
Christina M. Greer is a political scientist at Fordham University who studies Black politics, mayors, elections and public opinion. She writes a weekly column for The Amsterdam News and co-hosts the podcast “FAQ NYC,” about city politics and culture.
A. Mychal Johnson is a South Bronx community leader focused on economic and social justice for working-class communities of color through grass-roots organizing and policy advocacy.
Caitlin Kawaguchi is a co-founder of the nonprofit consultancy Parkes Philanthropy and the former president of New Kings Democrats, a grass-roots organization in Brooklyn. She has served on the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s County Committee since 2018 and is an appointed member of Brooklyn’s Community Board 1.
Mitchell L. Moss is a professor of urban policy and planning at New York University and an expert on cities and technological change. He has advised city and state governments on infrastructure policy and economic growth. Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed him to a committee shaping policy on transit, open space and equitable opportunity to guide New York’s economic goals.
Eleanor Randolph is a journalist who managed city and state political endorsements as a member of the New York Times editorial board from 1998 to 2016. In 2019 she wrote “The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg.”
Whitney Toussaint is a co-president of Community Education Council 30 in western Queens. She has collaborated with the City Council and other local leaders on the construction of schools in Hunters Point and Court Square.
Ms. Toussaint has contributed $100 to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign.
Jared Trujillo is a professor at CUNY School of Law, where he teaches constitutional law and critical race theory. He is a chair of the New York City Bar Association’s L.G.B.T.Q. Rights Committee and a former president of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys.
Antonio Weiss is a partner in the investment firm SSW, a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and a former official at the U.S. Treasury, where he led the domestic finance department. He is a trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission and a former chair of an independent budget panel advising the city.
He contributed $2,100 to Andrew Cuomo’s campaign during the primary and has contributed $2,500 to a group that supports Zohran Mamdani.
Howard Wolfson is a Democratic strategist who heads Bloomberg Philanthropies’ education work. He was a deputy mayor under Michael Bloomberg from 2010 to 2013, overseeing collaboration among the city, state and federal governments.
About our panel
These 14 native leaders assessed the candidates independently, as particular person voters, not on behalf of their organizations. Joseph Borelli was unable to attend the round-table dialogue and offered his feedback in separate interviews. Some panelists made donations to candidates; that data is disclosed of their biographies.
Amit Singh Bagga is a Democratic strategist who runs a political consulting firm and a veteran of New York State, city and federal government. While in city government, he helped lead the 2020 census campaign. In 2021 he made an unsuccessful bid to represent City Council District 26 in Queens.
He has contributed $100 to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign.
Neil Blumenthal is a co-founder and co-chief executive of the New York-based eyewear company Warby Parker. Since 2015, the company has partnered with New York City agencies and organizations to provide free eyeglasses to students. Mr. Blumenthal also serves on the boards of Robin Hood, Tech:NYC and the Partnership Fund for New York City.
Joseph Borelli is a Republican former city councilman who represented the South Shore of Staten Island for nearly 10 years. He was the council’s minority leader from 2021 to 2025 and chaired its Committee on Fire and Emergency Management. He served in the New York State Assembly for three years and currently works as a political strategist.
Iwen Chu is a former state senator from South Brooklyn and a former State Assembly aide and community education council member. During her two years in office, she helped secure funding for schools and Asian American community organizations. Ms. Chu was the first Asian American woman to serve in the State Senate.
Frederick A. Davie is a senior executive vice president at Union Theological Seminary in Morningside Heights. He helps lead community and civic engagement with social and economic justice organizations. He also has served in New York City administrations since the 1990s. He was deputy borough president of Manhattan in the mid-1990s and was chair of the board responsible for civilian oversight of the New York Police Department from 2017 to 2022.
Christina M. Greer is a political scientist at Fordham University who studies Black politics, mayors, elections and public opinion. She writes a weekly column for The Amsterdam News and co-hosts the podcast “FAQ NYC,” about city politics and culture.
A. Mychal Johnson is a South Bronx community leader focused on economic and social justice for working-class communities of color through grass-roots organizing and policy advocacy.
Caitlin Kawaguchi is a co-founder of the nonprofit consultancy Parkes Philanthropy and the former president of New Kings Democrats, a grass-roots organization in Brooklyn. She has served on the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s County Committee since 2018 and is an appointed member of Brooklyn’s Community Board 1.
Mitchell L. Moss is a professor of urban policy and planning at New York University and an expert on cities and technological change. He has advised city and state governments on infrastructure policy and economic growth. Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed him to a committee shaping policy on transit, open space and equitable opportunity to guide New York’s economic goals.
Eleanor Randolph is a journalist who managed city and state political endorsements as a member of the New York Times editorial board from 1998 to 2016. In 2019 she wrote “The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg.”
Whitney Toussaint is a co-president of Community Education Council 30 in western Queens. She has collaborated with the City Council and other local leaders on the construction of schools in Hunters Point and Court Square.
Ms. Toussaint has contributed $100 to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign.
Jared Trujillo is a professor at CUNY School of Law, where he teaches constitutional law and critical race theory. He is a chair of the New York City Bar Association’s L.G.B.T.Q. Rights Committee and a former president of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys.
Antonio Weiss is a partner in the investment firm SSW, a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and a former official at the U.S. Treasury, where he led the domestic finance department. He is a trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission and a former chair of an independent budget panel advising the city.
He contributed $2,100 to Andrew Cuomo’s campaign during the primary and has contributed $2,500 to a group that supports Zohran Mamdani.
Howard Wolfson is a Democratic strategist who heads Bloomberg Philanthropies’ education work. He was a deputy mayor under Michael Bloomberg from 2010 to 2013, overseeing collaboration among the city, state and federal governments.
