Photo via abc7NY
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The 2025 New York City mayoral race is not simply a local election, but a critical test for the Democratic Party’s trajectory on the national stage. As the U.S.’s largest city takes on issues that range from public safety to affordable housing, the candidates’ forums and the election’s outcome are set to influence the Democrats’ strategies and policies all across the country.
Public safety remains one of the most polarizing issues in the race. The incumbent mayor, Eric Adams (who is also a former police officer), ran on a platform of law and order. According to NYPD data, major felonies committed during his administration have trended downward since their peak in 2022. Adams has credited this to increased police presence and surveillance measures, including expanded use of facial recognition and gun detection technologies.
However, Adams’ critics argue that these ‘successes’ have come at the expense of civil liberties and the community’s trust. Challengers like State Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assembly member Zohran Mamdani have offered different visions for the city. Both have proposed reducing the budget currently awarded to the NYPD and instead reallocating more funds to mental health support, housing, and education. These progressive platforms are symptomatic of a broader national conversation currently occurring among Democrats—one concerning whether or not public safety should be centered on enforcement or on an investment in social services.
Current debates between Democrats nationwide both raise and inform tensions in mayoral races and congressional districts. If Adams wins as an independent or is defeated by one of the more moderate candidates, it could signal a centrist precedent heading into the 2026 midterms—and eventually the 2028 presidential election. On the contrary, should there be a progressive victory, it would reinvigorate the Democrats’ left wing and once again give life to their national policy discussions.
When talking about the housing crisis, New York City is ground zero, and thus it is no surprise that it is one of the most pressing issues in this year’s race. Rents have been at an all-time high in recent years, displacing working-class communities and deepening class segregation. The next mayor’s housing agenda will set a critical tone for future urban policy that could be implemented in other states. Adams has favored public-private partnerships and rezoning to encourage more development, while progressives usually argue for rent control expansion, social housing, and community land trusts.
Myrie, who recently introduced a statewide rent freeze bill, has called housing a “human right,” echoing the rhetoric of other progressive policymakers. The results of this mayoral race will determine whether his vision can become policy instead of merely a slogan. His campaign is built on advocating for more affordable housing, after-school care for all, as well as combating gun violence. If Myrie can succeed in this race, it would indicate that voters are ready for a more progressive government.
But the reemergence of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo adds another test of the electorate to this race, primarily because of his past scandals. Cuomo’s level of success will reveal to what extent accountability is still valued within the Democratic Party—an especially interesting question given the recent election of a president who was previously found guilty on 34 felony counts. Cuomo resigned as governor of New York back in 2021 due to allegations of sexual misconduct, an event that greatly impacted conversations about leadership and ethics with the Democratic Party. This is because Cuomo was one of the future contenders for party leadership, so it is no surprise that his fall left many doubts and unanswered questions. If his attempt at the mayorship continues to gain momentum, it could suggest that even Democratic voters are now willing to ‘forget’ past crimes for the sake of the experience and competence that a candidate brings to the table.
At the same time, Eric Adams recently announced his exit from the Democratic Party and his decision to run as an independent. He is the incumbent candidate, but has recently faced corruption charges—though they were dismissed by the courts following a request by the Department of Justice. His controversial term has generated feelings of hostility toward him, especially among New Yorkers, which will likely make it difficult for him to secure reelection. Still, the familiarity of his name could help him gain traction. If this occurs, we might see New York deviate from its reputation as a strongly pro-Democrat city.
Not only are the candidates in this year’s race diverse in their political and personal backgrounds, but the voters they are trying to appeal to are as well. New York is seeing rapid growth of its Latino, Asian-American, and African immigrant populations, which will test how effectively the candidates can build campaigns that speak across race, class, and culture. The candidate who can speak the language of New York will be the candidate who will ultimately claim the highly coveted seat.
Many of the candidates are working to address other critical issues in the election in addition to the housing crisis. Mamdani, for example, has embraced multilingual outreach, especially toward anti-gentrification platforms, with the goal of uniting working-class voters of color toward a shared vision of economic and racial justice. Whether this approach is successful or not is yet to be determined, but it may provide a preview of the Democratic playbook for future elections.
Further, labor unions, tenant organizers, and climate advocacy coalitions are playing a more significant role in shaping the city’s political atmosphere. Progressive candidates align themselves with these movements to build grassroots momentum, while moderates are still leaning on traditional endorsements from businesses and established civil institutions, which have been known to be powerful public votes. The ability of either side to effectively mobilize their base will offer a window into the future of Democratic organizing in dense, high-stakes urban environments.
It is important to emphasize that the stakes for this race extend so much further beyond New York City. Elements like the media, major donors, and party leadership will define political strategies going into the 2026 midterms. If progressives win, there will be a massive surge of similar candidates in other cities and congressional districts. If moderates hold the power, it could indicate that the Democratic Party will continue shifting toward the center. Regardless, if Democrats want to reclaim power to counter the Trump administration, they need to determine the best strategy to hold the most seats—in both local and national offices. The mayor of New York will determine how the Democratic Party positions itself on a national stage by showing how it can deal with issues like gun violence, climate change, and economic inequality, especially in a political climate where citizens are asking for a stronger left-wing presence within the government. In that way, this race is a contest not only of candidates, but of the vision of urban environments, with implications for governance models that will affect similar cities across the country.
The 2025 mayoral election is a political inflection point for the future of the Democratic Party. Whether the party chooses a more progressive route or prefers to stick with moderate policies, the battle for New York City’s most coveted spot will be fierce. Democrats have been looking for the moment to find their post-Trump identity, and a defining answer during the following fall on the ballot will give them many of the answers they are looking for.
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This article was edited by Katherine Brennan and Siya Patel.
Renee Agostini 
Nia Cruz 
Hailey Gilbert