elections – Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title

Are Mulgrew and Mamdani “Going to War?”

Hours after the para pay bump became law the City announced it was challenging the law in the courts. The pay bump was introduced in the City Council over a year ago, hearings, numerous tweaks and a final approval 49-0. The Mayor could sign, veto or allow the bill to become law, he chose the thirdContinue reading “Are Mulgrew and Mamdani “Going to War?””

Can Mamdani Survive as an Affordability and a Socialist Mayor?

A line in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, “misery acquaints us with strange bedfellows,” and I add, “visa – versa.” On the night of June 25th, the Democratic primary, the Mamdani endorsements rolled to victory, victory against incumbents, with virtually unknown candidates. Mamdani has coattails even when he wasn’t on the ballot, Michael Lange, whose Narrative WarsContinue reading “Can Mamdani Survive as an Affordability and a Socialist Mayor?”

Is the Mamdani Brand A Ripple or a Tsunami?

Is the face of election politics undergoing a generational change? In the June, 2025 Democratic mayoral primary the pollsters predicted a Cuomo victory in the last Ranked Choice Voting transfer, Mandani won in the first transfer. In the November 2025 general election, pollsters once again predicted a Cuomo victory, Mandani won with a majority. InContinue reading “Is the Mamdani Brand A Ripple or a Tsunami?”

A Fourth of July Fable

On July 4th President Trump’s Favorability Rating (FR) was at 38% and the stock markets hitting all time highs. As the summer edged closer to the November 3rd midterms his FR trickled down a few points although the president appeared unconcerned, after all the campaign actually begins after Labor Day. On Labor Day the president’sContinue reading “A Fourth of July Fable”

Hail to King Zohran

Since the founding fathers politics has been run by the machine, meaning the power brokers within the party. Neighborhood political clubs, captains on every block, candidates selected in the proverbial smoke-filled room dominated the political landscape. With the SCOTUS Citizens Unlimited decision the landscape began to change, unlimited “independent expenditures” flooded campaigns with dollars. The shadowyContinue reading “Hail to King Zohran”

June 23rd Democratic Primary: Your Vote Matters and Activism is Essential

Let’s begin with a stand up and shout moment watch the Robert de Niro speech, you’ll love it and on an ominous note, Paul Krugman asks whether we are living in the repetition of a point in history, So in a real sense we are living in the midst of a reenactment of the decline and fallContinue reading “June 23rd Democratic Primary: Your Vote Matters and Activism is Essential”

Why Has Mamdani Pushed Education to the Bottom of his Priority List?

It was a well-crafted targeted campaign. “Freeze the Rent,” “Fast, Free Buses,” “Free Childcare,” added up to:: “affordability.” Young voters, absent for years, jumped on board, an army of door knockers fanning out across the city. Opposition to mayoral control and including parents and teachers in the policy-making process, another winner. In the primary a prediction:Continue reading “Why Has Mamdani Pushed Education to the Bottom of his Priority List?”

Can Hochul, Mamdani and Menin Become a Polyamorous Throuple?

Running for office is exciting, rallies, crowds shouting your name, and, if you win: ecstatic! After winning, managing is tough, constant decisions, frequently no “right” answer, crowds applauding as well as calling for your head! Everything you inherit becomes your fault, blizzards, 5 degree weather, your fault. Friends working in your campaign become enemies when you make a decisionContinue reading “Can Hochul, Mamdani and Menin Become a Polyamorous Throuple?”

Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?

There is no Spring Training for Mayors, a month into his tenure Mamdani faces a yawning deficit, yes, he inherited the deficit, it belongs to our new mayor. In June, 2025 Mayor Adams (and City Council) passed a $114 B budget, restoring a long list of proposed cuts. Seven months later the newly elected Comptroller,Continue reading “Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?”

A Socialist Mayor in a Capitalism Driven City: Can They Co-Exist?

The culmination of an election is a coronation, the swearing in with pomp and circumstance and the Mamdani ceremony fit the bill. Thousands of supporters, taking place on the steps of City Hall, a choir from an elementary school with Mandy Patinkin, a poem written for the occasion, Bernie Sanders administering the oath of officeContinue reading “A Socialist Mayor in a Capitalism Driven City: Can They Co-Exist?”