The Brian Lehrer Show City Politics: The Candidates Strategize
Jul 9, 2025
Jeff Mays, a New York Times Metro reporter, and Kelly Mena, a political reporter for Spectrum News NY1, dive into the intense New York City mayoral race. They discuss candidacies and strategies aimed at challenging progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani, highlighting the impact of union endorsements and absent support from notable Democrats. The conversation also touches on the significance of older Black voters' concerns regarding wealth and property rights, while navigating the complexities of party dynamics and housing issues in the electoral landscape.
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Cuomo's Uncertain November Candidacy
- Andrew Cuomo remains undecided about running in November, causing uncertainty in the race.
- His name will be on the ballot regardless, risking vote splitting among Democrats.
Vote Splitting Risks Mamdani Advantage
- Multiple candidates refuse to drop out, risking splitting votes and aiding Mamdani.
- Mamdani has an early advantage due to Democratic voter majority in NYC.
Generational Divide in Black Voters
- Mamdani won primary without majority black support, highlighting a generational and ideological divide.
- Older Black voters express concerns about his policies, unlike younger progressive voters.