Upper West Side Mayoral Forum
Several 2025 mayoral candidates attended a candidate forum last Wednesday on the Upper West Side. Topics included child care, police officers in the subway, mask bans, and regulation of Airbnb. Incumbent Eric Adams and anticipated candidate Andrew Cuomo were not in attendance. Candidates also discussed the impact that the federal administration may have on New York City.
Jenifer Rajkumar Declares Run for Public Advocate
Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar is now planning to challenge incumbent Jumaane Williams for NYC Public Advocate. Rajkumar had been running for City Comptroller against Councilmember Justin Brannan and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, but is pivoting to another citywide position. Williams has served as Public Advocate since 2019 and has no other challengers.
Minority Leader Joe Borelli Steps Down
Minority Leader Joe Borelli has stepped down from his position in the NYC Council, effective last Friday. Borelli is term limited from running again this year, and will become a lobbyist for Chartwell Strategy Group. A special election will be held to fill his Staten Island seat for the remainder of 2025. Following Borelli’s resignation, half of the six-member Republican minority conference held a meeting and elected Councilmember David Carr as the new Minority Leader. Joann Ariola, who was running against Carr for the position, was not present for the vote, and has asked Speaker Adams to reject the results. Ariola and other members have requested that the Speaker take up the matter at the Council’s next Stated meeting on February 13.
