New York's Mayoral Election: A Tale of Two Campaigns
In a city that prides itself on its diversity and resilience, the mayoral election has devolved into a toxic mess. The contrast between the primary campaign and the general election is stark - one was characterized by civility, kindness, and a focus on real issues, while the other is marked by negativity, spoilers, and billionaire-backed campaigns.
The Democratic primary was a remarkable example of what elections could be. With ranked choice voting (RCV) in place, candidates like Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander were able to campaign with civility and humility, appealing to voters across the city. They cross-endorsed each other, fundraised together, and even appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" together, biking around the city.
This was a stark contrast to the general election, which has become a winner-takes-all contest that incentivizes candidates to resort to extreme negativity and mudslinging. The Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, is being targeted by billionaires like Bill Ackman and Eric Adams, who are using their wealth and influence to try and spoil the race.
The result is a campaign that has become increasingly ugly and divisive. Instead of focusing on issues like housing affordability, rent control, and public safety, the debate has devolved into personal attacks and speculation about candidates' family members. The Republican nominee's team even posted an ad stating that "a vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani," effectively trying to convince voters to vote for one candidate rather than another.
The contrast between these two campaigns highlights the importance of ranked choice voting in our elections. RCV encourages candidates to focus on building up their base and appealing to voters, rather than relying on negativity and mudslinging. It allows voters to have a real choice between multiple candidates who are running on different platforms.
In a city that prides itself on its diversity and resilience, New Yorkers deserve better than this kind of campaign. They deserve an election where candidates can come together, build each other up, and appeal to voters across the city. RCV is a powerful tool that can make that happen.
As the campaign hurtles towards its conclusion, one thing is clear: the mayoral election is a test of whether New York values civility, kindness, and real issues over negativity, spoilers, and billionaire-backed campaigns. The answer will be revealed on Election Day, but for now, it's up to voters to demand better from their candidates.
In a city that prides itself on its diversity and resilience, the mayoral election has devolved into a toxic mess. The contrast between the primary campaign and the general election is stark - one was characterized by civility, kindness, and a focus on real issues, while the other is marked by negativity, spoilers, and billionaire-backed campaigns.
The Democratic primary was a remarkable example of what elections could be. With ranked choice voting (RCV) in place, candidates like Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander were able to campaign with civility and humility, appealing to voters across the city. They cross-endorsed each other, fundraised together, and even appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" together, biking around the city.
This was a stark contrast to the general election, which has become a winner-takes-all contest that incentivizes candidates to resort to extreme negativity and mudslinging. The Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, is being targeted by billionaires like Bill Ackman and Eric Adams, who are using their wealth and influence to try and spoil the race.
The result is a campaign that has become increasingly ugly and divisive. Instead of focusing on issues like housing affordability, rent control, and public safety, the debate has devolved into personal attacks and speculation about candidates' family members. The Republican nominee's team even posted an ad stating that "a vote for Sliwa is a vote for Mamdani," effectively trying to convince voters to vote for one candidate rather than another.
The contrast between these two campaigns highlights the importance of ranked choice voting in our elections. RCV encourages candidates to focus on building up their base and appealing to voters, rather than relying on negativity and mudslinging. It allows voters to have a real choice between multiple candidates who are running on different platforms.
In a city that prides itself on its diversity and resilience, New Yorkers deserve better than this kind of campaign. They deserve an election where candidates can come together, build each other up, and appeal to voters across the city. RCV is a powerful tool that can make that happen.
As the campaign hurtles towards its conclusion, one thing is clear: the mayoral election is a test of whether New York values civility, kindness, and real issues over negativity, spoilers, and billionaire-backed campaigns. The answer will be revealed on Election Day, but for now, it's up to voters to demand better from their candidates.
at least in the primary they were talking about real issues like housing and rent control 
not just personal attacks 
zohran and brad were such a good team 
i wish more people would do what they did with rcv it really encourages candidates to focus on their message 
but instead we get billionaires backing spoilers like curtis 
eric adams is also getting in on the action 
. Like what happened during the primary was completely different from the general election... one campaign actually showed some class and humility 
. And then the Republican nominee starts getting all dirty 
? It's just ridiculous! How can you appeal to voters when you're being negative and trying to spoil someone else's chances? RCV is like, the only way to go here 
. It encourages people to actually vote for whoever they want instead of just voting against someone else. And don't even get me started on the billionaires getting involved... it's like they think money solves everything 
.
Where did all that positivity and good energy go?! 
I just want to scream at my screen because of all these billionaire-backed spoilers 
It's so cowardly and desperate. 
That RCV thingy is literally the only reason I'm even still paying attention to this election 
If it wasn't for that, these candidates would've already cancelled each other out with all their mudslinging and negativity 
Where does it end?! 
I just wish people would rally around this idea of civility, kindness, and real issues instead of going for the quick fix or billionaire sponsorship 
we need more positivity in politics ASAP 
. The way those two candidates just got along and supported each other is so inspiring 
. I'm totally rooting for Zohran Mamdani 
, he seems like the real deal! Curtis Sliwa's team trying to discredit him with ads about his family? Gross 
I'm so done with the current state of politics in New York. Can't we just focus on actual issues instead of personal attacks? 
The whole thing feels like a mess and I'm not convinced that either candidate is doing enough to address the real problems we face as a city. 
. If we could get more candidates running on a platform of kindness and civility, I think New York would be an even better place because of it 
.
instead of tearing each other down? and ranked choice voting is literally the solution right now 
. The way they're going after each other is just low 
. RCV is like, the answer to all this drama 
. It encourages them to focus on issues that matter 
. Can we please just have a decent campaign that focuses on real problems 
? My vote is going to be the best indicator of whether New York values what's right or not 
? The contrast between the primary and general election is wild 
. We deserve so much more than this kind of negativity and divisiveness. Can't we all just get along? 
. Can't these guys just focus on issues instead of tearing each other down? Ranked choice voting is literally the answer here - it encourages civility and allows voters to have a real choice between multiple candidates. I mean, come on, Curtis Sliwa's team posting an ad that essentially tells voters to vote for one guy or another? That's just dirty politics 
. And don't even get me started on Bill Ackman's billionaire backing - it's like they're trying to buy the election instead of letting the people decide 
. It's not just about giving voters more options, it's about creating an environment where candidates feel like they need to focus on building up their base and appealing to people, rather than resorting to extreme mudslinging. And let's be real, who doesn't want a campaign that's less about personal attacks and more about real issues? 
. We need to hold ourselves accountable as voters and demand better from our candidates 
. It encourages candidates to focus on building up their base instead of tearing each other down. And let's be real, New York deserves better than this kind of campaign 