The race for New York City Mayor in 2025 is heating up, and one of the candidates vying for the top spot is State Senator Zellnor Myrie. In an exclusive interview with Patch, Myrie addresses pressing issues facing the city, from affordability to public safety and transit. This article delves into the seven key questions posed to Myrie, offering a comprehensive overview of his vision for New York City’s future. His responses provide valuable insights into his policy proposals and priorities. As the primary election approaches, understanding each candidate’s stance is crucial for informed decision-making.
Myrie’s campaign centers on addressing the challenges faced by working and middle-class families, a demographic he identifies with. His platform includes ambitious plans for housing, education, and crime prevention. By focusing on these critical areas, Myrie aims to create a more equitable and prosperous city for all New Yorkers. His personal background as the son of Costa Rican immigrants shapes his perspective and informs his commitment to serving the city’s diverse communities.
Why is Zellnor Myrie running for Mayor?
Zellnor Myrie’s decision to run for mayor is deeply rooted in his personal connection to New York City. As a lifelong resident of Central Brooklyn, he has witnessed firsthand the challenges facing working and middle-class families. Myrie emphasizes that the opportunities he had growing up are increasingly out of reach for many New Yorkers today.
“I am a proud son of Central Brooklyn — born and raised. My story wouldn’t be possible without our city,” Myrie states. He highlights his upbringing in a rent-stabilized apartment and his educational journey through Brooklyn Tech, Fordham, and Cornell Law School as examples of the opportunities the city once offered. However, he notes that even as a State Senator, he cannot afford to buy a home in his childhood neighborhood.
Myrie’s core platform focuses on delivering one million homes, building free, universal after-school programs, and providing full-day Pre-K and 3-K until 6:00 PM. He aims to make New York City a safe and affordable place for families like his to thrive. His commitment to these issues stems from his belief that every New Yorker deserves the same opportunities he had.
What sets Zellnor Myrie apart from other candidates?
Myrie emphasizes his lived experience as a key differentiator. Raised in a rent-stabilized apartment by Costa Rican immigrant parents who worked in factories, he understands the struggles of working-class families firsthand. He shares that there were times when his family struggled to pay the electricity bill.
“I ride the train every day, still have student loans, and cannot afford to buy a home in my neighborhood despite having a good job,” Myrie explains. This personal connection allows him to speak to working and middle-class families not just as an elected official, but as someone who faces the same challenges.
Myrie’s policy proposals are directly informed by these experiences. His commitment to delivering one million homes and providing free universal after-school and Pre-K programs reflects his understanding of the financial pressures facing New York families. He believes that City Hall has overlooked these families for too long and is determined to change that.
Two Ways Zellnor Myrie Plans to Make New York More Affordable
Myrie identifies the affordability crisis as a central challenge facing New York City. His plan to address this crisis focuses on two key areas: housing and childcare.
First, he proposes to increase the housing supply by delivering one million homes over the next decade. This will be achieved through neighborhood rezoning, repurposing underused office space, and building on public land. Myrie criticizes the city’s piecemeal approach to development and argues that a large-scale effort is necessary to end the housing crisis.
Second, Myrie aims to alleviate the burden of childcare costs by providing free, universal after-school programs and full-day 3-K and Pre-K until 6:00 PM. This initiative will not only save families money but also provide students with a safe and enriching environment after school. Myrie credits his own after-school experience at the Crown Heights Youth Collective with helping him succeed academically and develop valuable skills.
Two Ways Zellnor Myrie Plans to Make New York Safer
Public safety is another key priority for Myrie. He acknowledges that public spaces in New York City feel unsafe in a way that hasn’t been seen in a decade. To address this issue, he proposes a two-pronged approach that combines increased law enforcement with community investment.
First, Myrie plans to restore the NYPD to its 2018 headcount and promote 2,000 detectives to rebuild the detective bureau. He believes this will help reduce overtime costs and provide officers with the resources they need to solve and deter crimes. His signature initiative, Clear 100, will leverage the fully staffed detective bureau and new technology to solve every shooting and improve clearance rates.
Second, Myrie emphasizes the importance of investing in proven crime prevention measures. He plans to provide free, universal Afterschool for All, add 50,000 new Summer Youth Employment seats, and triple the scope of the Every Block Counts Program. These initiatives aim to provide young people with opportunities and support, reducing the likelihood of them becoming involved in crime.
Zellnor Myrie’s Plan to Improve the Subway System
As a daily subway rider, Myrie understands the challenges facing New York City’s transit system. He believes that the subway system is not as safe as it needs to be, and he has a plan to address this issue.
Myrie proposes hiring 150 police-clinician trios to patrol the subway system 24/7. These teams will be trained to help people in crisis get the care they need, rather than cycling through the ER or Rikers. He also pledges to fight for the funding the transit system needs, including defending congestion pricing.
Myrie commits to taking legal action against any attempt to revoke federal approval for congestion pricing. He also plans to expand red light, speed, and bus lane enforcement cameras to generate revenue for the MTA. His goal is to ensure that New Yorkers have a safe and reliable subway system.
How Zellnor Myrie Will Respond to ICE Crackdowns
Myrie is a vocal advocate for immigrant rights and has a clear plan for how his administration would respond to ICE crackdowns. He emphasizes that New York City must always be a city that protects and uplifts immigrants.
He vows that New York City will not cooperate with ICE unless they present a valid judicial warrant. ICE will not be allowed into schools, hospitals, or houses of worship. Myrie plans to create a specialized unit within the City Law Department, a Frontline Protection Force, to fight back against unlawful attempts by the federal government to target New Yorkers.
Myrie also commits to fully funding the NYC Commission on Human Rights to defend New Yorkers from discrimination and ensure city services remain accessible regardless of documentation status. His administration will protect, empower, and celebrate immigrants as the backbone of the city.
Zellnor Myrie’s Favorite Place in the City
When asked about his favorite place in the city, Myrie’s answer is simple: his barber shop on Flatbush and Fenimore. This personal touch reveals his connection to his community and his appreciation for the everyday places that make New York City special.
Zellnor Myrie’s mayoral campaign offers a compelling vision for New York City’s future. His focus on affordability, public safety, and transit, combined with his commitment to immigrant rights, positions him as a candidate who understands the needs of working and middle-class families. His policy proposals, informed by his personal experiences, offer concrete solutions to the challenges facing the city.
As the 2025 primary election approaches, New Yorkers have the opportunity to carefully consider each candidate’s platform and choose the leader who will best represent their interests. Myrie’s commitment to creating a more equitable and prosperous city makes him a strong contender in the race.
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