The race for New York City’s next mayor is heating up. With the primary elections approaching, now is the time to understand the key players, timelines, and issues that will shape the city’s future. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or simply curious about the political landscape of America’s largest city, this guide has everything you need to know.
When Is the Next NYC Mayoral Election?
The New York City mayoral election occurs every four years. The next election is set for November 4, 2025, with primary elections in June 2025.
The current mayor, Eric Adams, can run for re-election and has shown he plans to do so. Still, several challengers have come forward, making this one of the most closely watched local races in the country.
Who Are the Main Candidates in the 2025 NYC Mayoral Race?
While the official ballot is not finalized, here are some notable potential and declared candidates:
Democratic Candidates:
Eric Adams (Incumbent): Seeking re-election, running on his record of crime reduction and economic recovery.
Jessica Ramos: State Senator known for her progressive policies on housing and labor rights.
Zach Iscol: Former nonprofit executive and Marine veteran who ran in 2021 and is expected to announce soon.
Republican Candidates:
Curtis Sliwa: Guardian Angels founder who ran in 2021 and may run again.
Fernando Mateo: Businessman and former mayoral candidate.
Independent/Third-Party Candidates:
No official announcements yet, but NYC often sees independent candidates entering the race.
Key Issues Shaping the 2025 NYC Mayoral Race
- Public Safety and NYPD Reform: Balancing safety with calls for police accountability.
- Affordable Housing: Addressing the housing crisis and homelessness.
- Transit and Infrastructure: Improving the subway system and city services.
- Climate Resilience: Flood control, sustainability, and green urban planning.
- Immigration and Sanctuary City Policies: Responding to ongoing migration and federal challenges.
How to Vote in the NYC Mayoral Election
- NYC uses ranked-choice voting for primary elections. Here’s how it works:
- Voters rank up to five candidates in order of preference.
- If no candidate wins a majority, the lowest-ranked candidates are eliminated, and their votes are redistributed.
- This continues until one candidate secures over 50% of the vote.
Be sure you’re registered to vote and check if you’re eligible to participate in the primaries. You must be affiliated with a party to vote in that party’s primary.
The Mayor’s Office
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is running for a second term as an independent, not as a Democrat, while facing a federal corruption case that was dismissed earlier this year.
June 24 marks the Democratic primary, a ranked-choice contest. Andrew Cuomo leads several polls as the frontrunner, with Zohran Mamdani a close second. Most other candidates are polling in single digits.
The general election will be on November 4, where Adams (as an independent), the Democratic nominee, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independents like Jim Walden will compete.
Why This Race Matters
The mayor’s office makes key decisions, such as managing a $115 billion budget and overseeing city agencies like the NYPD, public schools, and social services.
The outcome could influence shifts in the Democratic Party’s direction between centrist and progressive stances, impacting future midterms and presidential contests.
Core Campaign Issues
Affordable housing is a breaking crisis with rents over $3,000 and rising displacement. Candidates propose developer incentives, public housing, rent freezes, and zoning reforms.
Views on public safety diverge sharply. Some push for more policing, while others support alternative investments like mental health services.
All Democratic candidates promise to defend sanctuary protections amid pressures from federal and Trump-era policies.
Proposals on fiscal responsibility and taxes range from progressive taxes on millionaires to warnings of tax-driven flight.
Local and Down-Ballot Races
Comptroller (city’s chief fiscal watchdog): Incumbent Brad Lander is running for mayor, opening the seat. Candidates include Justin Brannan, Mark Levine, Ismael Malave, and Kevin Parker.
Public Advocate: Incumbent Jumaane Williams faces challengers like Jenifer Rajkumar and Marty Dolan.
City Council: All 51 seats are up for grabs in the June 24 primary and November 4 general election. Term limits affecting nine incumbents will reshape the chamber.
Borough Presidents and DAs: All five borough president seats and the Manhattan and Brooklyn district attorney offices are on the ballot.
Process and Money
Ranked-choice voting allows up to five choices and is still new to citywide elections, shaping strategies and coalitions.
Public matching funds: The city’s municipal campaign financing provides an 8:1 match for small donations to boost grassroots influence.
Overarching Context
The city is dealing with a migrant wave, infrastructure challenges, crime perceptions, and economic stress. Voters are demanding bold solutions.
The major parties and candidates face tough questions. Can NYC remain a sanctuary? Who can manage city finances responsibly? What direction should major institutions take regarding police, public housing, and schools?
Bottom Line
This year isn’t just about choosing a mayor; it’s a referendum on New York City’s identity and future. The results will shape how bold or cautious policy becomes, the city’s ability to manage cost-of-living and safety, its stance on federal oversight, immigration, and policing, and the health of its democracy through ranked-choice voting and public financing.
🧭 In Closing
The next NYC mayoral race is shaping up to be a combination of a progressive vs. centrist battle during the primary of a fragmented general election. While Andrew Cuomo, armed with significant campaign funds, centrism, and popular endorsements, leads the field in the Democratic primary, his comeback story touted in the news alludes his past scandals to younger progressive supporters united behind Mamdani. Their feud provides two distinct visions for the city’s future– Cuomo’s path of returning to managerial style leading the city back to normal and Mamdani’s vision of a larger social agenda.
For Eric Adams his independent candidacy splits the moderate vote, along with Sliwa’s conservative base in the general election – which could offer an unexpected path forward. Key will be the effectiveness of RCV in the primary, as the consolidation of lower-tier votes will be uncertain.
Key dates to pay attention to are the early voting from June 14th and primary on June 24th. Civic engagement is the most important piece— RCV is intermediated and underpinned by informed and engaged voters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🗓️ When is the timeline for the 2025 NYC mayoral race?
Democratic primary: June 24, 2025 (ranked‐choice voting), early voting begins June 14
General election: November 4, 2025
Citywide debates with leading candidates: Democratic debate June 12, with follow up debates for general election later in summer
🔢 How does ranked-choice voting (RCV) work here?
Voters can rank up to five candidates in order of preference.
If no candidate gets more than 50% of first place votes, the lowest ranked candidates will be eliminated one at a time and their votes will be allocated according to next preferences – this continues until a candidate receives over 50%.
🧭 Who are the major candidates?
Running in the Democratic Primary (top contenders):
Andrew Cuomo (former NY governor): Leading in the polls and branding himself as a moderate taking on public safety and affordability, ~38% in recent polls
Zohran Mamdani (Assemblyman, democratic socialist): Rising progressive youth oriented platform focusing on rent caps, free transit, childcare and community based safety; ~10% in the polls
Brad Lander (City Comptroller): Performs well in fundraising, has been able to raise public matching ($5.3 M+) and aligns with some progressives on issues of homelessness and civic engagement
Whitney Tilson: Former hedge-fund manager who noted in a recent conversation with me that crime reduction and engagement cost; and who values fiscal restraint and education.
Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Adrienne Adams, Scott Stringer, and others pitching respective platforms around housing, education, the environment, and social justice.
