As New Yorkers gear up for the primary election set for June 24, the race for mayor is heating up with just three weeks remaining.
Candidates are stepping up their campaign efforts ahead of this pivotal moment in the electoral calendar.
Comptroller Brad Lander is making waves with a bold ad campaign on the Cyclone, while Speaker Adrienne Adams has finally qualified for matching funds, which she expects will enhance her visibility among voters.
The Working Families Party has released its endorsement slate, with Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani taking the top spot.
Last week, the first debate for the comptroller candidates aired, and anticipation builds for the final debate next week, co-sponsored by THE CITY.
Additionally, this Thursday marks the first mayoral debate, airing on WNBC, where leading candidate Andrew Cuomo will come face to face with his opponents for the first time.
Despite the intense activity, a new analysis suggests that mayoral candidates may be overlooking a vital voter bloc: the diverse Asian communities of New York City.
Recent insights from colleagues Samantha Maldonado, Haidee Chu, and myself, highlight that while some heavily Asian neighborhoods like South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill in Queens swung towards Trump during the 2024 presidential election, the underlying cause wasn’t necessarily a switch to Republicanism by Asian voters.
In fact, significant numbers of registered Democrats simply did not participate in the election, which could have implications for Democratic candidates in the upcoming mayoral race.
Understanding this dynamic is crucial, especially since these communities are growing and play an essential role in shaping the electoral landscape.
Voters are encouraged to verify their registration status ahead of the primary.
Meanwhile, further developments in the Cuomo campaign reveal a troubling pattern of alleged improper coordination with a political action campaign backing him, resulting in hefty fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the latest polling, although the WFP endorsed Mamdani, a small sample suggests that only Speaker Adams has the potential to defeat Cuomo in a direct matchup.
Looking to the future, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado has announced intentions to challenge Governor Hochul in the 2026 election, setting the stage for an interesting political landscape.
As we move closer to the primary, the countdown stands at 21 days.
Key events to note include:
– June 3: A mayoral forum focused on Asian American and Pacific Islander issues at New York Law School at 6 p.m.
– June 4: The first Democratic mayoral primary debate at 7 p.m. on WNBC.
– June 5: The initial Democratic public advocate primary debate at 7 p.m. on PIX 11.
– June 9: The final change-of-address deadline for voter registration ahead of the primary.
– June 14: Early voting commencement.
For those looking to engage more closely with the candidates, queries can be submitted through a dedicated platform for questions ahead of the debates co-hosted with Spectrum News 1 and WNYC/Gothamist.
Mistakes in public communication have also surfaced; NYC Votes mistakenly advertised incorrect primary dates at Citi Field during Mets games, compounding this issue with significant printing errors in voter guides.
Attention to these missteps is essential as the city prepares for a critical period in its electoral history.
image source from：https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/04/asian-vote-turnout-election-campaign-newsletter/
