🎙️ In this episode of The Perez Notes, Cea Weaver, Executive Director of Housing Justice for All and the New York State Tenant Bloc, joins Roberto Perez to break down Zohran Mamdani’s victory and what it means for the future of affordable housing in New York.
Weaver reflects on Eric Adams’ record on housing, Bill de Blasio’s legacy, and the ongoing fight to secure stronger tenant protections, good cause eviction, and real investments in affordability. With over a decade of experience organizing and shaping housing policy, Weaver offers a clear-eyed look at what’s next for tenants, advocates, and lawmakers across the state.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows.
🔗 linktr.ee/thepereznotes
#CeaWeaver #ThePerezNotes #ZohranMamdani #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #EricAdams #BilldeBlasio #NYPolitics #TenantsRights #HousingJusticeForAll
🎙️ In this episode of The Perez Notes, former FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh joins Roberto Perez for a wide-ranging conversation on New York City politics, leadership, and public service.
Kavanagh reflects on the mayoral election results, the transition of power, and her groundbreaking tenure as the first woman to lead the FDNY. She discusses the challenges and milestones of diversifying the department — including graduating the largest class of women firefighters in nearly 30 years — and shares her broader thoughts on the intersection of politics, leadership, and civic responsibility in today’s New York.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows.
🔗 linktr.ee/thepereznotes
#LauraKavanagh #ThePerezNotes #NYPolitics #FDNY #NYC #EricAdams #Leadership #WomenInPublicService #FireDepartment #PublicService
🎙️ Amit Singh Bagga, campaign manager for Yes on Affordable Housing and a seasoned Democratic strategist, joins The Perez Notes to unpack New York City’s ballot proposals, the fight for affordable housing, and the City Council’s role in driving reform. Bagga explains how this year’s initiatives could reshape opportunity and housing equity across the five boroughs.
#AmitSinghBagga #ThePerezNotes #NYPolitics #AffordableHousing #CityCouncil #BallotProposals #NYC
🎙️ Assembly Member Alex Bores joins The Perez Notes to discuss his campaign for Congress, his vision for New York, and his thoughts on the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Running to succeed longtime Congress Member Jerry Nadler, Bores shares his path to victory, the issues driving his campaign, and how he plans to bring tech-savvy, forward-thinking leadership to Washington.
#NYPolitics #ThePerezNotes #AlexBores #Congress2025 #JerryNadler #AIPolicy #NewYork
🎙️ State Senator Gustavo Rivera joins The Perez Notes to discuss the Somos El Futuro Conference, the mayoral race, his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, and why he says Eric Adams is a one-term mayor. Rivera also shares his candid thoughts on former Governor Andrew Cuomo and the shifting landscape of New York politics.
#NYPolitics #ThePerezNotes #GustavoRivera #ZohranMamdani #EricAdams #AndrewCuomo
🎙️ In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Brian Romero, who’s filing to run for the open seat in New York State Assembly District 34, aiming to succeed Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, his former boss now seeking a State Senate seat.
A proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Romero discusses his decision to enter the race, his connection to NYC-DSA, and his vision for building a more equitable Queens. We dive into the issues driving his campaign—from housing and labor rights to public safety and progressive governance.
🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about politics, policy, and the next generation of leadership in New York.
#NewYorkPolitics #Queens #DSA #ThePerezNotes #BrianRomero #NYAssembly #ProgressivePolitics
🎙️ Ligia Guallpa: Fighting for New York’s Immigrant Workers
In this episode of The Perez Notes, Roberto Perez speaks with Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director of the Workers Justice Project (WJP) — and one of New York City’s most influential voices for immigrant and low-wage workers.
The daughter of a former day laborer and garment worker, Ligia shares how her personal story fuels her fight for justice, dignity, and safe working conditions. Under her leadership, WJP has organized construction workers, day laborers, and domestic workers, built two Brooklyn worker centers, and helped form Laborers’ Local 10, a union empowering immigrant workers across the
In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Vilda Vera Mayuga, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). We break down the agency’s wide-ranging work — from enforcing labor laws and protecting workers’ rights to ensuring fair business practices across New York City. Commissioner Mayuga sheds light on policy priorities, how the city approaches enforcement, and the complex issues facing street vendors today.
From wage theft to vendor licensing, this conversation explores how DCWP balances consumer protection, worker justice, and economic opportunity in one of the most diverse cities in the world.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
🔗 linktr.ee/ThePerezNotes
In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for a wide-ranging conversation. We discuss Mayor Eric Adams’ decision not to seek re-election, the state of the Democratic Party in New York, Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement, the impact of Trump-era policies, and the challenges around housing and governance in the city.
In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Kenny Burgos — former Assemblymember and now CEO of the New York Apartment Association — for a deep dive on housing in New York City. We break down the affordability crisis, the policies that could reshape the city’s future, and how housing will play a decisive role in the upcoming mayoral election. Burgos brings his perspective from the Bronx to the broader citywide conversation on affordability and policy.
The Perez Notes – Interview with Holly Pretsky
This week on The Perez Notes, I’m joined by Holly Pretsky, City Editor at City & State NY, to break down the latest in New York politics. We dive into the fast-moving NYC mayoral race, unpack the week’s biggest political news, and take a closer look at the campaigns of Andrew Cuomo, Eric Adams, and Zohran Mamdani.
Holly brings her sharp reporting and editorial insight from City & State to help us cut through the noise and examine what’s really shaping the race for City Hall and the broader dynamics of New York power.
🎙 Don’t miss this wide-ranging conversation on the candidates, the campaigns, and the stakes for the city’s future.
🎙 The Perez Notes | Richard Carranza: Leading America’s Largest School Systems
In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Richard A. Carranza — former New York City Schools Chancellor, former Superintendent of Houston ISD, and former Superintendent of San Francisco Unified School District.
Carranza reflects on his three decades in education leadership, from the challenges of running the nation’s largest school system with 1.1 million students, to his proudest moments and toughest decisions as NYC Chancellor. We dive into his tenure in Houston and San Francisco, the lessons he carried across cities, and his perspective on what it means to lead during times of crisis and change.
Now serving as Chief of Strategy and Global Development for IXL Learning and founder of Carranza Educational Consulting, LLC, Carranza looks back on the defining moments of his career and shares what’s next in his journey.
📌 Tune in for a candid conversation on education, leadership, equity, and the future of America’s schools.
In this episode of The Perez Notes, Jagpreet Singh of DRUM joins to discuss Zohran Mamdani’s campaign, the growing political power of NYC’s South Asian community, and their fight for immigrant rights, voter registration, and representation ahead of November’s general election.
Dr. Ashwin Vasan: Public Health, Mental Health & NYC’s Recovery
In this episode of The Perez Notes, former NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan joins Roberto Perez for a deep dive into the state of public health in New York City. We discuss the city’s mental health crisis, its ongoing recovery from COVID-19, and the lessons learned from leading the Department of Health through unprecedented challenges. Dr. Vasan reflects on his career in public service, shares insights on strengthening community health, and offers his perspective on the future of public health in a post-pandemic world.
Dr. Ashwin Vasan, former NYC Health Commissioner, joins The Perez Notes to reflect on his proudest moments leading the city’s public health response, the meaning of Zohran Mamdani’s primary win for South Asians, and how his work as a physician, epidemiologist, and advocate continues to shape public health in NYC and beyond.
🎙️ Bradley Tusk on NYC Politics, Mobile Voting & the Future of the Democratic Party
Venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk joins The Perez Notes for a wide-ranging conversation on the crossroads of power, tech, and elections.
We get into:
🗳️ The chaos and stakes of the NYC Democratic primary
📱 His bold push for mobile voting and what’s standing in the way
🏛️ Reflections on Andrew Cuomo, machine politics, and what’s changed
🧭 The rising influence of progressives like Zohran Mamdani
🏙️ What the future looks like for city and state politics
Tusk doesn’t hold back—and neither do we.
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🎙️ The Perez Notes – Interview with Ethan Stark-Miller, Senior Politics Reporter at amNewYork
In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Stark-Miller, senior politics reporter for amNewYork, to break down the latest currents shaping New York City politics. From City Hall to Albany, we discuss the behind-the-scenes dynamics driving 2025’s biggest races, the state of local media coverage, and what reporters are watching as the city gears up for its next political chapter. Ethan also shares insights from his time covering Eric Adams, City Council power plays, and the ever-evolving influence of progressive movements across the five boroughs.
Whether you’re a political junkie or just trying to make sense of NYC’s shifting landscape, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
On this episode of The Perez Notes, I speak with reporter Peter Sterne, editor at City & State NY, about the growing political influence of the Democratic Socialists of America in New York. We discuss how DSA organizers approached the recent Democratic primary, their impact on key races, and what the results signal for the movement’s future. Peter also breaks down the upcoming general election for New York City mayor and gives us a look ahead at the additional primaries DSA is eyeing across the city and state. It’s an insightful conversation about strategy, momentum, and the evolving left flank of New York politics.
On this episode of The Perez Notes, I’m joined by Council Member Chi Ossé, who represents Brooklyn’s 36th District and is the youngest member of the New York City Council. We talk about the NYC Democratic mayoral primary, the national Democratic race, and the evolving political landscape in Central Brooklyn. Chi reflects on his role as co-chair of the Brooklyn Delegation, discusses his recent legislative wins around housing and affordability, and offers his perspective on the future of progressive politics in New York City.
Ali Najmi on Power, Politics & the South Asian Vote
On this episode of The Perez Notes, I’m joined by NYC attorney and political strategist Ali Najmi—election law expert, civil rights defender, and longtime advisor to Zohran Mamdani. We dive into the critical role South Asian and Muslim voters played in reshaping the Democratic primary, the strategy behind Zohran’s historic win, and what it signals for the future of NYC politics.
Ali also shares sharp insights on Eric Adams’ vulnerability, Andrew Cuomo’s attempted comeback, and what to expect heading into the general election. This one’s all about coalitions, community power, and the ground game that made the difference.
🎧 Full episode → linktr.ee/thepereznotes