Before you step into the booth, hear from someone who’s seen NYC power from both sides. Grace Rauh —former NY1 City Hall reporter and now executive director at Citizens Union and the 5BORO Institute— joins Juan Manuel Benítez to break down what’s actually on your ballot and why turnout keeps sinking. They get into the even-year election fight, the housing/zoning package, digital mapping, and the Adirondacks measure; Zohran Mamdani’s rise (and the de Blasio echoes), Andrew Cuomo’s comeback attempt, and how local journalism looks from the outside. Plus: a personal lightning round —books, landmarks, and what still gives her hope about New York. Then go vote.
Grace’s picks:
Book
Podcasts
New NYC Landmark
Resources
Citizens Union & 5BORO Institute (voter guides, reform agenda)
In late January, I participated in a breakfast interview with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, hosted by the New York Editorial Board, of which I'm a member.
Back then, Mamdani was a progressive underdog in the race - a state assemblymember with ambitious ideas but long odds. A lot has changed since that breakfast. Mamdani won the Democratic nomination and today, he's become something of a national political superstar. As we head toward the November general election, he's leading in the polls with a healthy margin.
For this episode, I've stripped away all the questions and edited Mamdani's responses to flow as a standalone narrative. What you're about to hear is "Zohran Mamdani's Vision in the Candidate's Own Words" - his policy proposals, his governing philosophy, and his vision for New York City, presented in the same order as our conversation but allowing his answers to speak for themselves.
You can listen to the unedited version in the New York Editorial Board substack page.
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Brian Lehrer has hosted WNYC's flagship morning show since 1989, and has interviewed every New York mayor since David Dinkins. In this rare in-depth conversation, the notoriously private broadcaster opens up about his life, his craft, and the state of journalism and democracy in 2025. Plus, will he vote in this mayoral election?
Brian's picks:
Book: "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray
Park: Inwood Hill Park in Upper Manhattan
Podcasts:
Regular listening:
For professional monitoring:
In this episode:
Guest: Brian Lehrer, journalist and host, WNYC Radio
On the 2025 NYC Mayoral Race:
On Journalism in Crisis:
Personal Journey:
The Art of Live Radio:
Queens State Senator Jessica Ramos sits down for an candid conversation about one of the most controversial decisions of her political career: endorsing former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for mayor after years of publicly criticizing him and calling for his resignation.
The Colombian-American legislator opens up about the political calculations behind that stunning move, her fractured relationships with fellow progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, and why she believes her campaign for mayor never gained traction. Ramos also reflects on growing up in Jackson Heights during the cartel wars of the 1980s, her father's influence on her public service career, and whether her independent streak will cost her politically as she faces a primary challenge from Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas next year. It's a raw, revealing portrait of an elected official who refuses to play it safe — even when it might be the smarter move.
Ramos' picks:
Mentioned:
Show notes
Guest: Jessica Ramos, New York State Senator (Queens), Chair of the Labor Committee
Topics Discussed:
Key Moments:
Recorded at: Pulitzer Hall, Columbia Journalism School, New York City
Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and Republican candidate for mayor of New York City, sits down to discuss his unconventional campaign in a race led by democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. Despite being the GOP nominee, Sliwa has no support from President Trump, who backs Andrew Cuomo instead—and he says he doesn't care.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Sliwa reveals how billionaires tried to pressure him to drop out of the race, why he believes Eric Adams "had a price" when he withdrew, and his vision for tackling homelessness, mental health crises, and housing affordability in NYC. He also opens up about patrolling the subways with the Guardian Angels, his wife's cat rescue work, his love of electronic dance music, and why he's not afraid of socialists.
Sliwa’s picks:
Book: The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair
Parks: Central Park and Elizabeth Street Garden
Music: Electronic Dance Music, including Bunt
Mayor Eric Adams is still in the race to get reelected — and he wants you to know it. In this candid interview, Adams takes aim at his political rival Andrew Cuomo, pushes back on persistent media narratives, and blames campaign finance setbacks on what he calls “lawfare” and rumor-fueled media coverage. Adams insists he's not dropping out — and that the public hasn’t been told the full story.
We talk about the federal indictment that was later dropped by the Trump administration, the toll of constant speculation, and the uphill battle of running for reelection while navigating both policy crises and personal scrutiny. Plus: thoughts on Trump and Biden, Israel and Gaza, immigration, ChatGPT, and why he still loves Prospect Park. It’s Eric Adams — defensive, defiant, and determined to change the narrative. Will it work?
ERIC ADAMS' PICKS
In this conversation, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine discusses his journey in New York City politics, focusing on his recent campaign for comptroller, the challenges of housing affordability, and the importance of progressive policies. He reflects on his experiences running for office, the role of the comptroller, and his commitment to using technology to improve city governance. Levine also shares insights on investment strategies, the significance of endorsements, and his personal growth throughout his political career.
Levine's picks
Books
Podcast
Places & Transit
Preservation
Keywords
Mark Levine, New York City, Comptroller, housing affordability, politics, Juan Manuel Benítez, Democratic nominee, personal journey, political views, languages, Trump, Zohran Mamdani, Ezra Klein, Dwarkesh Patel
In this revealing conversation, host Juan Manuel Benítez sits down with Kathryn Wylde, the powerful voice of New York's business community who's stepping down after decades at the helm of the Partnership for NYC. As the business world grapples with Zohran Mamdani's surprising mayoral primary victory, Wylde offers unprecedented insight into how corporate leaders really feel about the self-proclaimed socialist who could become their next mayor.
Wylde reveals that business leaders were "shocked" by Mamdani's win after investing heavily in Andrew Cuomo's expected victory, but explains why the panic has subsided since election night. She details Mamdani's immediate outreach to reassure the business community and draws surprising parallels to Bill de Blasio - noting that while their policies may be similar, Mamdani lacks de Blasio's "vindictiveness" toward the wealthy.
The gods of New York : egotists, idealists, opportunists, and the birth of the modern city : 1986-1990, by Jonathan Mahler
Quebradillas, Puerto Rico
In the debut episode of "Juan Manuel Benítez Wants to Know," host Juan Manuel Benítez explores this central question with NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, the progressive politician who lost his mayoral bid in June's Democratic primary but whose cross-endorsement helped propel rival Zohran Mamdani to victory.
Lander reveals why he made the strategic decision to endorse his former opponent, what role he might play in a Mamdani administration, and why he believes Andrew Cuomo shouldn't be mayor. The conversation digs into the realities of progressive coalition-building, the $2 billion the city wastes annually on preventable settlements, and Lander's bold proposal to convert golf courses into affordable housing.
But this isn't just political strategy. Benítez explores what shaped Lander as a person - his anthropology fieldwork in London's Bangladeshi community, his Jewish values rooted in "every human created in God's image," and why he cursed Andrew Cuomo in formal Yiddish during the campaign. Lander opens up about his love of sci-fi novels where NYC boroughs become superheroes, his obsession with Prospect Park's Celebrate Brooklyn concerts, and his quest to restore the old Kentile Floors sign that once made F train riders "feel like home."
It's political journalism that remembers people are people first - and asks the question everyone wants answered about New York's political future.
Lander’s picks
Books
