Nine Mayoral Hopefuls Traverse New York's Five Boroughs in Vigorous Campaign

After spending 14 years living in New York and leaving during the pandemic, I recently returned to the city to document the journeys of nine Democratic candidates campaigning ahead of the June 24 mayoral primary. The city felt both vibrant and raw — alive but shadowed by an increased sense of insecurity.

Police presence was notable throughout the subway system across all boroughs, and on one day alone, I witnessed three separate street altercations. The atmosphere suggested a city somewhat overlooked, reminiscent of a neglected backyard left to grow wild. During a Tuesday press event outside City Hall, a swarm of rats was seen scurrying nearby — a striking, if somewhat stark, reflection of the political climate.

For eight consecutive days, from dawn until late evening, I tracked the candidates as they canvassed neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Logging an average of nine miles a day, the campaign felt deeply grassroots despite New York’s reputation as a global center of wealth and influence — resembling more a small-town race than a metropolitan contest.