Mayoral Primary Candidates
About
Below is a list of mayoral primary candidates.
Democrats:
Republicans & Independents: Only one candidate in the republican party is running for mayor. Independent candidates do not participate in primary elections.
The information about the candidates is gathered from a variety of sources including their campaign websites. Information about their campaign platform is summarized below. For complete information on each candidate, please visit their campaign website.
Updated as of: May 7th, 2025
Democratic Mayoral Candidates
Adrienne Adams
About
Adrienne Adams is the Speaker of the New York City Council, leading one of only six women-majority legislatures in the country as its first Black Speaker.
- Background: Raised in Hollis, Queens by two union workers - a UPS truck driver and a Rikers Island cook. She attended Bayside High School before earning a psychology degree from Spelman College.
- Career: Adams worked in corporate executive training and served as three-term chairperson of Queens Community Board 12 from 2012 to 2017. She was also appointed to several leadership positions in Queens.
- Time in Office: First elected to City Council in 2017, Adams became Speaker in January 2022. She represents District 28, including Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Richmond Hill, and South Ozone Park.
- Major Accomplishments: Under her leadership, the Council passed reforms advancing maternal health, making housing more affordable, and expanding support for crime victims. She also approved the "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" plan.
- Current Platform: In her 2025 mayoral campaign, Adams supports a guaranteed income program for homeless families and is running on her record as Speaker with endorsements from multiple labor unions.
Experience
Speaker of the New York City Council (2022–present)
City councilmember from the 28th district (2017–present)
Endorsements
Elected officials:
- New York Attorney General Letitia James
- Rep. Nydia Velázquez (with Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani)
- Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (after Lander and alongside Mamdani)
- state Sens. Leroy Comrie (ranked No. 1)
- James Sanders (ranked No. 2)
- Julia Salazar (with Lander, Mamdani and Myrie)
- Assembly Members Andrew Hevesi
- Brian Cunningham
- Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson (ranked No. 2 or No. 3)
- Emily Gallagher (after top choices Lander and Mamdani, and with Myrie and Ramos in no order)
- City Council Members Yusef Salaam
- Kevin Riley (ranked No. 1)
- Althea Stevens
- Chris Banks
- Rita Joseph (ranked No. 1)
- Diana Ayala
- Amanda Farías
- Jennifer Gutiérrez (with Lander and Mamdani)
- Sandy Nurse (with Lander, Mamdani and Myrie)
- Lincoln Restler (with Lander and Mamdani)
- Chi Ossé (with Lander and Mamdani)
Labor:
- District Council 37 (ranked No. 1)
- Communication Workers of America Local 1180
- UNITE HERE Local 100 (ranked No. 1)
- Professional Staff Congress (ranked No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3)
Organizations:
- New York Working Families Party (with Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani and Zellnor Myrie)
- The Muslim Democratic Club of New York City (ranked No. 2)
- Make the Road Action (after Lander, who they ranked No. 1)
- Churches United for Fair Housing Action (after Lander, who they ranked No. 1)
- Emgage Action (ranked No. 3)
- Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club (with Lander, Mamdani and Ramos)
- Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (ranked No. 1)
Others:
- Former Council Member I. Daneek Miller
- Former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields
- Greater Allen Cathedral's the Rev. Stephen A. Green
- Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett
Dr. Selma Bartholomew
About
Campaign Website
Private Funding: $1,264
About
Dr. Selma Bartholomew is a mathematician, physicist, educator, and businesswoman who founded a certified minority women-owned business in 2008.
- Background: Born in Grenada and raised in Harlem, Dr. Bartholomew developed a deep love for jazz, family, and community while surviving the crack epidemic.
- Career: After earning degrees in Math and Physics, she worked in corporate America managing multimillion-dollar initiatives before founding her own company during the 2008 recession.
- Time in Office: Dr. Bartholomew has over 30 years of experience as a leader, policymaker, change agent, and community builder.
- Major Accomplishments: She has improved graduation rates in multiple school districts, including raising Yonkers Public Schools to 91% and William Grady HS from 45% to 84%.
- Current Platform: Her mayoral campaign focuses on public safety, mental health services, education reform, and creating "Networks of Care" to support vulnerable New Yorkers.
Experience
President of PartnerWithLegacy
Source
Endorsements
To be announced
Michael Blake
About
Campaign Website
Private Funding: $286,882
About
Michael Blake is the Founder & CEO of Atlas Strategy Group, Inc. and a former New York State Assembly Member representing the 79th District.
- Background: Born in the Bronx to Jamaican immigrants, Michael was named after Jamaican politicians Michael Manley and Alexander Bustamante, honoring his heritage while growing up in New York.
- Career: Blake worked in the Obama-Biden administration as White House Associate Director of Public Engagement and served as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2021.
- Time in Office: He served three terms in the New York State Assembly representing District 79 from January 2015 to January 2021.
- Major Accomplishments: Blake led the creation of the first statewide My Brother's Keeper education program and passed legislation helping small, minority and women-owned businesses get paid faster.
- Current Platform: He is currently running for Mayor of New York City in the Democratic primary scheduled for June 24, 2025.
Experience
NY assemblymember from the 79th district (2015–2021)
Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (2017–2021)
Candidate for Public Advocate in 2019
Endorsements
Organizations:
- Emgage Action (ranked No. 5)
- Three Bridges Democratic Club (shared with Ramos and Mamdani)
Andrew Cuomo
About
Campaign Website
Private Funding: $ 1,539,519
About
Experience
Governor of New York (2011–2021)
Attorney General of New York (2007–2010)
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1997–2001)
Endorsements
Elected officials:
- Rep. Ritchie Torres
- Rep. Greg Meeks
- state Sen. James Sanders (ranked No. 1)
- state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky
- state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.
- Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia (ranked No. 1)
- Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs
- Assembly Member Charles Fall
- Assembly Member Latrice Walker
- Assembly Member Jordan Wright
- Assembly Member Erik Dilan
- Assembly Member Sam Berger
- Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato
- Assembly Member Vivian Cook
- Assembly Member John Zaccaro
- Assembly Member William Colton
- Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
- Assembly Member Ed Braunstein
- Assembly Member David Weprin
- Assembly Members Clyde Vanel and Alicia Hyndman
- Council Member Kamillah Hanks
- Council Member Farah Louis
- Council Member Darlene Mealy
- Council Member Susan Zhuang
- Council Member Lynn Schulman
- Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers
Labor:
- 32BJ SEIU
- Hotel and Gaming Trades Council
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
- District Council of Carpenters
- District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
- Laborers' International Union of North America New York affiliate
- Teamsters Local 237
- IBEW Local 3
- Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2
- New York City Deputy Sheriffs' Association
- New York City Coalition of the International Union of the Operating Engineers
- FDNY EMS Local 2507 and Uniformed EMS Officers Union Local 3621
- New York State Iron Workers District Council (ranked No. 1)
Organizations:
- Staten Island Democratic Party executive committee
- Village Reform Democratic Club
- Aldo's Democratic Club
Others:
- former state Comptroller Carl McCall
- former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
- Black clergy members including Rev. Kevin Johnson of Abyssinian Baptist Church
- Rev. Johnnie Greene of Mount Neboh Baptist Church
Brad Lander
About
Brad Lander currently serves as the New York City Comptroller and is running for Mayor in the 2025 election.
- Background: Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Brad grew up in a Reform Jewish family and later earned degrees from the University of Chicago and University College London.
- Career: Before government, Brad led housing organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee, building affordable homes and teaching as an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School.
- Time in Office: Brad served on the New York City Council from 2010-2021 before being elected Comptroller in 2021, where he's confronted wasteful spending.
- Major Accomplishments: As a Councilmember, Brad championed workers' rights, crafting the "Freelance Isn't Free Act" and securing living wages for ride-share drivers.
- Current Platform: Brad's mayoral priorities include addressing mental illness and homelessness, building affordable housing, and bringing integrity and competence back to City Hall.
Experience
New York City Comptroller (2022–present)
City councilmember from the 39th district (2010–2021)
Endorsements
Elected officials:
- Rep. Nydia Velázquez (with Adrienne Adams and Zohran Mamdani)
- Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (ranked No. 1, followed by Adrienne Adams and Mamdani)
- Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (ranked No. 1 or No. 2)
- state Sen. Liz Krueger (ranked No. 1 or No. 2)
- state Sen. Julia Salazar (with Adrienne Adams, Mamdani and Myrie)
- state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (with Zellnor Myrie)
- Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson (ranked No. 1)
- Assembly Member Emily Gallagher (top choice with Mamdani, followed by Adrienne Adams, Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie in no order)
- Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest (ranked No. 2)
- City Council Member Tiffany Cabán (ranked No. 1 or No. 2)
- City Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez (with Adrienne Adams and Zohran Mamdani)
- City Council Member Sandy Nurse (with Adrienne Adams, Mamdani and Myrie)
- City Council Member Lincoln Restler (with Adrienne Adams and Zohran Mamdani)
- City Council Member Chi Ossé (with Adrienne Adams and Mamdani)
Labor:
- United Auto Workers Region 9A (with Ramos and Mamdani)
- Professional Staff Congress (ranked No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3)
- UNITE HERE Local 100 (ranked No. 3)
Organizations:
- New York Working Families Party (with Zellnor Myrie, Zohran Mamdani and Adrienne Adams)
- Upper West Side Action Group
- New York Progressive Action Network (ranked No. 1)
- Three Parks Independent Democrats
- Hells Kitchen Democrats
- Broadway Democrats
- Independent Neighborhood Democrats
- Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats
- Village Independent Democrats
- New Kings Democrats (with Myrie, Ramos and Mamdani)
- Abundance New York (with Myrie)
- Jews for Racial and Economic Justice's political arm The Jewish Vote (with Mamdani)
- Bay Ridge Democrats
- Indivisible Brooklyn
- 504 Democratic Club
- BKForge
- Fordham College Democrats, College Democrats of New York, College Democrats of America (with Ramos and Mamdani)
- Make the Road Action (ranked No. 1)
- Churches United for Fair Housing Action (ranked No. 1)
- Emgage Action (ranked No. 2)
- New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees
- Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club (with Adrienne Adams, Mamdani and Ramos)
- Four Freedoms Democratic Club (ranked No. 1)
- Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn (ranked No. 1)
- Unity Democratic Club (ranked No. 1)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 161 (after Mamdani, who is ranked No. 1, and alongside Ramos)
- Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (ranked No. 2)
- New York State Tenant Bloc (ranked No. 2)
Others:
- Texas Rep. Greg Cesar
- New York City Housing Authority tenant leaders including Aixa Torres, president of Alfred E. Smith Houses in Manhattan
Zohran Kwame Mamdani
About
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assemblymember representing District 36 and a Democratic Socialist running for Mayor of New York City.
- Background: Born in Uganda to Indian parents and raised in New York City after living in Cape Town. Son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani.
- Career: Worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor before entering politics. Graduated from Bronx High School of Science and Bowdoin College.
- Time in Office: Assumed office January 1, 2021 after defeating four-term incumbent Aravella Simotas. Member of multiple Assembly committees.
- Major Accomplishments: Won New York's first fare-free bus pilot and helped taxi drivers achieve over $450 million in debt relief through hunger strike.
- Current Platform: Campaigning to lower costs for working-class New Yorkers through rent freezes, fare-free buses, city-owned grocery stores, and taxing wealth.
Endorsements
Elected officials:
- Rep. Nydia Velázquez (with Adrienne Adams and Brad Lander)
- Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (after Lander, and alongside Adrienne Adams)
- state Sens. Jabari Brisport
- Kristen Gonzalez
- Julia Salazar (with Adrienne Adams, Lander and Myrie)
- Gustavo Rivera
- Assembly Members Claire Valdez
- Phara Souffrant Forrest
- Marcela Mitaynes
- Sarahana Shrestha
- Khaleel Anderson (ranked No. 4)
- Emily Gallagher (top choice with Lander, followed by Adrienne Adams, Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie in no order)
- City Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez (with Adrienne Adams and Lander)
- Sandy Nurse (with Lander, Adrienne Adams and Myrie)
- Lincoln Restler (with Adrienne Adams and Lander)
- Chi Ossé (with Lander and Mamdani)
Labor:
- District Council 37 (ranked No. 2)
- United Auto Workers Region 9A (with Ramos and Lander)
- Professional Staff Congress (ranked No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3)
- UNITE HERE Local 100 (ranked No. 2)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 161 (ranked No. 1, before Lander and Ramos)
Organizations:
- New York Working Families Party (with Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander and Adrienne Adams)
- New York City Democratic Socialists of America
- New York Communities for Change
- CAAAV (formerly the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence) Voice
- DRUM (Desis Rising Up & Moving) Beats
- Jewish Vote for Peace Action
- New York Progressive Action Network (ranked No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4)
- New Kings Democrats (with Lander, Ramos and Myrie)
- Jews for Racial and Economic Justice's political arm The Jewish Vote (with Lander)
- Three Bridges Democratic Club (shared with Ramos and Blake)
- Muslim Democratic Club of New York City (ranked No. 1)
- Sunrise NYC
- Gen-Z for Change
- CAIR Action New York
- Fordham College Democrats, College Democrats of New York, College Democrats of America (with Lander and Ramos)
- Make the Road Action (after Lander, who they ranked No. 1)
- Churches United for Fair Housing Action (after Lander, who they ranked No. 1)
- Emgage Action (ranked No. 1)
- Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club (with Adrienne Adams, Ramos and Lander)
- Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn (ranked No. 2)
- Alliance of South Asian American Labor
- Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City (ranked No. 3)
- New York State Tenant Bloc (ranked No. 1)
Zellnor Myrie
About
Campaign Website
Private Funding: $785,391
Experience
State Senator Zellnor Myrie has served in the New York State Senate since 2019 and is currently running for Mayor of New York City in the 2025 election.
- Background: Born and raised in Brooklyn to Costa Rican immigrant parents, Myrie attended Brooklyn Technical High School and is a product of New York City public schools.
- Career: Prior to his election, Myrie worked as a Legislative Director in the New York City Council and as an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell.
- Time in Office: Elected in 2018, Myrie serves as Chair of the Elections Committee and has been in office since January 2019.
- Major Accomplishments: Authored the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act and led efforts to enhance public safety through gun legislation and criminal justice reform.
- Current Platform: Myrie's mayoral campaign focuses on increasing housing supply and public safety, creating new opportunities for all New Yorkers, stopping Trump, and supporting the black community.
Endorsements
Elected officials:
- Rep. Dan Goldman
- State Sen. Leroy Comrie (ranked No. 2)
- State Sen. Julia Salazar (with Lander, Mamdani and Adrienne Adams)
- State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (with Brad Lander)
- Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia (ranked No. 2)
- Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson (ranked No. 2 or No. 3)
- Assembly Member Emily Gallagher (after top choices Lander and Mamdani, and with Ramos and Adrienne Adams in no order)
- Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman (ranked No. 1)
- City Council Member Rita Joseph (ranked No. 2)
- City Council Member Kevin Riley (ranked No. 2)
- City Council Member Sandy Nurse (with Lander, Adrienne Adams and Mamdani)
Labor:
- District Council 37 (ranked No. 3)
- Professional Staff Congress (ranked No. 4 or No. 5)
Organizations:
- New York Working Families Party (with Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani and Adrienne Adams)
- New York Progressive Action Network (ranked No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4)
- New Kings Democrats (with Lander, Ramos and Mamdani)
- Abundance New York (with Lander)
- Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn (ranked No. 2)
Others:
- Attorney and former political candidate Zephyr Teachout
Paperboy L Prince
About
Prince Paperboy is an American artist, community activist, and candidate running for NYC Mayor 2025.
- Background: Grew up in Baltimore, Maryland to Puerto Rican, Colombian, and Panamanian grandparents who founded the Elim International Fellowship Church in 1964.
- Career: Studied computer science and journalism at University of Maryland and international relations at Universidad de Alicante in Spain. Has self-produced over 100 music videos.
- Time in Office: Interned at the House of Representatives and Supreme Court. Founded OurFoodNYC, which distributed over $4 million worth of free food.
- Major Accomplishments: Received nearly 100,000 votes in political campaigns. Named one of Brooklyn Magazine's 50 Most Fascinating People. Launched TinyHouseNYC for the unhoused.
- Current Platform: Seeks to dismantle establishment's grip on power and promote equity. Established the Love Gallery in Bushwick as a mutual aid hub.
Experience
Artist, political activist and founder of OurFoodNYC
Source
Endorsements
To be announced
Jessica Ramos
About
Jessica Ramos currently represents New York's 13th District in the State Senate and is running for Mayor of New York City.
- Background: Born to Colombian immigrants in Elmhurst and raised in Astoria, Queens, Jessica attended Queens public schools and doesn't have a driver's license—riding the subway daily.
- Career: Worked as a liaison to the spanish language press, communications director for Build Up NYC advocating for construction workers, and with labor unions SSEU Local 371 and 32BJ SEIU.
- Time in Office: Serving in the NY State Senate since 2019, Jessica chairs the Senate Committee on Labor and serves on multiple committees including Transportation and Finance.
- Major Accomplishments: Secured $2.1B for workers excluded from pandemic relief, passed historic legislation for farm workers' rights, and introduced the Early Learning Childcare Act.
- Current Platform: Focuses on affordable housing, climate action, immigrant support, universal childcare, healthcare access, and prioritizing working families in city policies.
Endorsements
Elected officials:
- Assembly Members Khaleel Anderson (ranked No. 5)
- Emily Gallagher (after top choices Lander and Mamdani, and with Myrie and Adrienne Adams in no order)
Labor:
- United Auto Workers Region 9A (with Lander and Mamdani)
- Teamsters Local 808
- Teamsters Local 804
- New York State Iron Workers District Council (ranked No. 2)
- Professional Staff Congress (ranked No. 4 or No. 5)
- UNITE HERE Local 100 (ranked No. 4)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 161 (after Mamdani, who is ranked No. 1, and alongside Lander)
Organizations:
- Downtown Women for Change
- New York Progressive Action Network (ranked No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4)
- New Kings Democrats (with Lander, Myrie and Mamdani)
- Chelsea Reform Democratic Club
- Three Bridges Democratic Club (shared with Mamdani and Blake)
- Fordham College Democrats, College Democrats of New York, College Democrats of America (with Lander and Mamdani)
- Emgage Action (ranked No. 4)
- New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees
- Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club (with Adrienne Adams, Mamdani and Lander)
Scott Stringer
About
Scott Stringer is a former New York City Comptroller running for Mayor of New York in the June 2025 Democratic primary.
- Background: Native of Washington Heights, Manhattan. Appointed to Community Planning Board at age 16 by Borough President Percy Sutton, beginning his lifelong commitment to public service.
- Career: Began as legislative assistant to Jerry Nadler in 1983. Served in New York State Assembly (1993-2005), as Manhattan Borough President (2006-2013), and NYC Comptroller (2014-2021).
- Time in Office: As Comptroller, he initiated the Boardroom Accountability Project to address climate change, board diversity and excessive CEO pay. He also criticized the health department's weak response to rat complaints.
- Major Accomplishments: Issued over 40 policy reports as Manhattan Borough President addressing affordable housing, transportation, and education. Led fight against hydraulic fracturing to protect NYC's water system.
- Current Platform: Scott's plan focuses on many topics for New York City, including public safety, addressing corruption, affordable housing, childcare reform, and improving sanitation.
Experience
New York City Comptroller (2014–2021)
Manhattan Borough President (2006–2013)
NY assemblymember from the 67th district (1993–2005)
Candidate for mayor in 2021
Endorsements
Elected officials:
Organizations:
Whitney Tilson
About
Whitney Tilson is a Democratic candidate in the 2025 New York City mayoral primary and former hedge fund manager.
- Background: Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1966, Tilson grew up in Tanzania and Nicaragua where his parents served as Peace Corps educators.
- Career: Founded and managed Kase Capital hedge fund from 1999 to 2017, and currently serves as lead analyst for the Stansberry Investment Advisory newsletter.
- Time in Office: Tilson was a founding member of Teach For America and served on the board of KIPP Academy charter school for two decades.
- Major Accomplishments: Co-founded Democrats for Education Reform and raised over $18 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion.
- Current Platform: Promises to cut violent crime, reduce municipal spending, address high cost of living, and improve New York City public schools.
Experience
Editor at Stanberry Research
Hedge Fund Manager at Kase Capital
Founding member of Teach For America and Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
Author and media personality
Source
Endorsements
Other:
- Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman (who has since donated $250,000 to a political action committee supporting Cuomo.)
