As I write this, I don't want anyone to think I am being irresponsible by saying that I am not voting for anyone this year for mayor. In fact, I may go vote for the other categories, like councilman, judge, etc. However, as of now, nobody is getting my vote for mayor.
I gave the link to an article published by Curbed. In the February 3 article, they listed about 13 candidates for the 2021 mayoral election. Interestingly, the Democratic primaries are in June, and since New York City is a mostly Democratic city, the person who wins the primary will more than likely officially become the mayor in November. More than likely. Though it is doubtful that a republican will win here, it is not impossible. I can see a few scenarios, but I won't get into them in this entry. Instead, I will look at eight of the candidates Curbed listed, what they are about, and my verdict, which is how I rate them on a scale of 1-10.
1. Scott Stringer: He is currently the City Comptroller and according to Curbed, he has advocated for affordable housing, gun control, women's reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights and campaign reform. According to the profile, he is anti-Bill deBlasio.
My verdict: No mention of police reform, crime, or homelessness, so not likely no vote. 3.5
2. Eric Adams: Adams is older than I thought (age 60) and had a career with the New York Police department. He co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement and is currently the Brooklyn Borough President. According to Curbed, he is an asset to immigrant communities and small businesses. Curbed lists him as having "nuanced views on police reform"
My verdict: I can see Adamsaddressing police brutality, which is good, however, I don't know how tough he would actually be on crime. I haven't really heard his voice while shootings in the city have made me think of the 1980s. Plus, I have no real idea of how the Borough President would handle the homeless issue or the related mental health crisis. 5.8
3. Maya Wiley: According to Curbed, Wiley is a Senior vice-president of social justice and professor of urban policy at the New School as well as a former top counsel for Mayor Bill deBlasio. She is also the former chair of the Civilian Complaint ReviewBoard.
Verdict: Wiley has a nice resume. She appears to want to combat systemic racism and police brutality as well as economic inequalities. However, she is going to have to deal with a growing crime issue and will need NYPD to be successful. Unless she has a strong relationship with them as a boss as well as a partner, she will fail. If she can't come up with a hard method of dealing with senseless violent crimes it will be a wrap. And I still need to see her (or anybody's) plan to deal with the homeless situation. 5.7
4. Kathryn Garcia: Currently, Garcia is the NYC Sanitary Commissioner under the current mayor and according to Curbed, is credited with big reforms to the city's sanitation system and was tasked with leading the city's efforts to abate lead paint exposure in children.
Verdict: According to Curbed, Garcia served as the city's emergency "food czar" to combat food insecurities during the pandemic. That leads me to think she would have the compassion to at least deal with hunger in New York. Hopefully, they won't get shot by either a cop or a gang member while they are getting fed. 3.5
5. Ray McGuire: According to Curbed, McGuire is a 63-year-old vice-chair of Citigroup and is one of the highest-ranking and longest-serving Black executives on Wall Street.
Verdict: McGuire makes me think of a Black Michael Bloomberg. After this pandemic, New York City could use someone with knowledge of how to manage money. New York also needs someone prepared to handle social issues. 4.5
6. Loree Sutton: According to the Curbed profile, "she is an advocate for military veterans, with a focus on homelessness and boosting mental health services."
Verdict: She opposes defunding the police, which I agree with, but again, nothing on how to address the duel problems with cops and crime.5.1
7. Curtis Sliwa: At age 66, I didn't realize he was so old. I am just realizing he was in his 20s when he founded the Guardian Angels back in 1979.
Verdict: GTFOH. He is too right-wing for New York (or for most places). His so-called tough-on-crime rhetoric will be nothing more than fuel to charge up racist and radical cops to be even more arrogant than some are now. I can see more unwarranted beatings and shootings and protests with Sliwa in as the mayor. I can easily see him backing a cop for shooting a man with no arms. Zero. In fact, if he was even close in the polls I would vote for anyone else ahead to ensure this potential nightmare never happens.
8. Andrew Yang: I thought he had a public office position before, but Curbed has him listed as an entrepreneur and a former presidential candidate in the 2020 Democratic primary. According to the profile Yang is for Universal basic income, something that is nice but unrealistic.
Verdict: Truthfully, I like Yang but I don't know enough about him. And again, he (and nobody) really address the issues I value. 4
In order for me to vote for mayor, I would like to rate someone 7 and above. There are other candidates, believe it or not, but I never heard of them and nothing written about them made me interested. The bottom line for me, I value someone who can keep New York above water financially, but the most important criteria for me are being tough on crime and the police, dealing with the homeless situation (including keeping affordable housing options), and an ability to deal with the city during this pandemic.
For now, I'll wait for the elections for governor
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