New Yorkers packed a mayoral forum on Saturday in Fort Greene, hoping to find a candidate that would prioritize education, housing, health care, affordability and have the chutzpa to fight President Donald Trump.
Around 200 people gathered at BRIC in Downtown Brooklyn to hear State Senators Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie and former Comptroller Scott Stringer speak during the first panel discussion. State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, former State Assembly Member Michael Blake, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander spoke during a second panel discussion. The event was hosted by the Working Families Party and The Nation magazine.
Candidates focused much of their time on how they would defend New York City against the Trump administration, including Speaker Adams. The forum was her first after declaring her candidacy on March 5.
Adams called Trump a "bully" and said she was not afraid of him.
All candidates also agreed that they would work to prevent former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams from entering Gracie Mansion.
Among the many issues discussed, Blake and Ramos backed a proposal to withhold New York City’s federal taxes if the Trump Administration keeps taking money from the city. Lander touted his push for the city to sue the Trump administration to get back the $80 million that was earmarked for immigrant services.
On the issue of affordability, many of the candidates focused their solutions on reducing rent and raising wages.
Mamdani returned to his rallying cry, calling for a rent freeze for rent-stabilized tenants, which excited the crowd. He also promised to appoint members to the Rent Guidelines Board who would help execute his agenda.
Blake promised to do away with credit scores and said he would declare an “Emergency on the True Cost Living” during his first 100 days in office. He said calculating rent on Mandatory Inclusionary Housing units through Area Median Income should be replaced with Local Median Income.
Blake also called for an overhaul on property taxes, including on properties owned by high-income earners.
Stringer pushed for the adoption of a “Mitchell-Lama 2.0” to build more housing for middle-class families.
Meanwhile, Lander promised a guaranteed living wage and protections for union members. Ramos flexed her union credentials and her history fighting to increase the minimum wage.
Speaker Adams brought up her push to use city money to fund a guaranteed-income program. She also promised to increase taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers.
There was broad agreement on the need for universal childcare, additional after school programs and building more homes.
During the first panel Myrie, Ramos and Stringer were asked whether they would support Governor Kathy Hochul in her 2026 election. None were willing to give a definitive nod.
Lenore Arons and Marc Korashan, who have lived in Park Slope for over 80 years, said they entered the debate with fresh ears.
Arons, who remained undecided after the forum, said she is “very actively involved in the issues of pedestrian and bike safety” wanted to hear more about transit improvements. Donning a “resist” pin, which Arons said was in reference to the Trump administration’s assault on abortion, immigration and voting rights, the Brooklynite said she wanted the candidates to “speak in support of democracy and in the Constitution and the rights we have.”
Korashan, a former teacher who was eager to hear the candidates’ plans for education, said Myrie and Mamdani both "came across well." He also appreciated Speaker Adams' pledge to stand up for students "who were being ignored."
Manhattan residents Edwin ‘Tito’ Delgado and his wife Lizette Colon said they think Democrats should be “more militant.” Defending Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and unions were a top priority for them.
Following the forum, Delgado said Mamdani had his vote.
“He came off as the more sincere person,” he said. “That takes a little street smarts.”
Colon felt Speaker Adams' had not distinguished herself so far, including her years in the City Council. Her refusal to move forward with a bill that would protect city employees' Medicare benefits showed she was being disingenuous. "Don't come here, tell us that you care about the working people, when you have not shown that," Colon added.
Colon said she liked both Ramos and Mamdani, describing them as “people that speak to us in plain words.”
