Meet the 12 NYC Mayoral candidates: What they stand for in the 2025 race

The NYC mayoral candidates are making headlines in the news every other day. The 12 candidates who come from a variety of cultural, educational and life backgrounds are leaving no stone unturned to be considered the shining star who will change the future of New York City for the better.

Who are these candidates and what are their campaigning ideas that separate them from their contenders? Let's take a closer look.

Eric Adams

A warrior back to the battlefield. Eric Adams was the former mayor of NYC who faced a historic indictment. Recently, a judge accepted a request from Trump's Justice Department to dismiss corruption charges against him and now Adams is running for re-election as an independent. Before becoming the mayor, he was an officer in the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Police Department.Campaign: Adams is campaigning for a "safer, more affordable city," and "EndAntiSemitism" ballot lines in November.

Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo previously served as the 56th Governor of New York. He completed a law degree from Albany Law School in 1982 and headed the Transition Committee for the then Governor-Elect Mario Cuomo, his father and also served as his advisor. He is also the founder of the non-profit Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged (HELP) and has served as HUD Secretary and New York State Attorney General.

Campaign: He is focusing on the issues of affordability, education and childcare, public safety, subway safety, housing, mental health, addiction and homelessness, health and wellness, combating antisemitism, economic development, and a clean and livable city.

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani, is a New York State Assembly member from Queens. One of the distinctive factors about him is his pro-Palestine stance which he isn't shy about.

He completed his bachelor's in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in 2014 and has already made history as the first South Asian man elected to the New York State Assembly, and the first Ugandan and third Muslim to hold a seat there.Campaign: Mamdani is aiming to freeze the rent, make buses and child care free, launch a Department of Community Safety and create city-owned grocery stores among other things.

Brad Lander

Brad Lander is currently serving as the New York City Comptroller and has run housing organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee and the Pratt Center for Community Development.

He is a member of the Democratic Party and has previously worked at the City Council as the Deputy Leader for Policy.Campaign: His top priorities are to get seriously mentally ill people off the streets and subways and build affordable housing. Additionally, he has his focus on restoring funding to early childhood education and executing capital projects management among other things.

Adrienne Adams

Adrienne Adams currently serves as the Speaker of the New York City Council.

She is the first-ever African American speaker and leads the first women-majority council in NYC. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Spelman College and previously worked in corporate executive training, human capital management and childcare training.Campaign: She aims to make the city safe and affordable, especially for families and children.

Scott Stringer

Scott Stringer is one of the nine candidates who qualified to participate in the debate on NBC New York.

He is a former NYC Comptroller and a Democratic Party candidate. He has previously served as a state assemblyman, and Manhattan Borough president.

Campaign

: Scott's plans include public safety and quality of life, ethics and corruption, housing, childcare, sanitation, protecting NYC from the Trump administration, residential options for families, activities for youth, international business and events and more.

Jessica Ramos

Jessica Ramos has been serving as the New York State Senator for the past six years, representing District 13.

She also chairs the Senate Committee on Labor. Born in Elmhurst and raised in Astoria, she is the first American-born in her family. Recently, she also served as the Director for Latino Media for New York City.Campaign: She is aiming for affordable housing, safe and reliable public transit, protection for workers, a clean future, universal child care, quality education and secure healthcare.

Zellnor Myrie

State Senator Zellnor Myrie is currently serving the 20th District.

He is also the chair of the Elections Committee. He previously worked as a legislative director in the New York City Council and also made use of his law degree from Cornell Law School by working at Davis Polk & Wardwell for a year.Campaign: He proposes to build and preserve 1 million homes in NYC, ensuring public safety, creating universal and free after-school programs, working for the black community and more.

Michael Blake

Michael Blake is a politician and member of the Democratic Party.

He formerly served as a New York Assemblyman from the 79th district and was the Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. He also served as the Iowa deputy political director for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential elections.Campaign: He is aiming for affordable housing for middle-class families, schooling for children, guaranteed jobs, safer neighbourhoods and a sustainable future.

Whitney Tilson

Whitney Tilson is a Democrat who has previously worked as a consultant, managed a hedge fund, worked as an editor at Stansberry Research, and co-authored three books.

He was also the founding member of Team For America and has served on the finance committees of Barack Obama and Cory Booker.Campaign: As a mayor, he promises to revitalize the economy, tackle affordable housing, cut crime by 50%, hire 5,000 more police officers, end homelessness by expanding the shelter system, and fix public schools.

Jim Walden

Jim Walden is an attorney who has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

After entering private practice he has represented several popular faces such as UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor.Campaign: He wants to tackle corruption, create jobs, and focus on housing production among other things.

Curtis Silwa

American activist and radio show host, founder and chief executive officer of Guardian Angles, Curtis Silva dons many hats. He was the Republican nominee for the 2021 NYC mayoral elections where he lost to Eric Adams. This is his second time running for the post as the party's nominee.Campaign: He aims to combat crime, expand the police department, and oppose migrant shelters and e-bikes.