NYC NOW Five Things with Brian Lehrer: How This Election Runs on Hope, Fear and a Few Strange Alliances
Oct 31, 2025
As Election Day approaches in New York and New Jersey, the dynamic of hope versus fear takes center stage in the mayoral race. Unexpected alliances over affordable housing emerge, with both progressives and Curtis Sliwa opposing ballot measures for distinct reasons. A Trump-era strategy appears in Passaic County, raising concerns about potential voting restrictions. Additionally, Curtis Sliwa's puzzling campaign choices split the anti-Mamdani vote, while comparisons to middle school elections highlight the value of positive campaigning.
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Election Framed As Hope Versus Fear
- The mayoral contest is framed as hope versus fear, with candidates offering competing emotional appeals.
- Brian Lehrer argues Mamdani runs on signature policies while his opponents emphasize fear of consequences.
Passaic As A Test For Mail-Ballot Limits
- The Trump Justice Department sent election monitors to Passaic County as Republicans claimed mail-ballot fraud risks.
- Brian Lehrer warns this could be a test bed to restrict mail voting more broadly if small infractions are found.
Strange Coalitions Around Housing Ballots
- Affordable housing politics produce unexpected coalitions because everyone agrees on need but objects to local siting.
- Lehrer highlights opponents range from Curtis Sliwa to progressives who distrust mayoral power shifts.