During the pandemic, business leaders in New York have been eager for one of their peers to run for mayor.
Now, one of the highest-ranking and longest-serving Black executives on Wall Street has announced his intentions to run for Mayor.
On Thursday, Executive, Raymond J. McGuire, said he would be leaving his position as the vice chairman at Citigroup to join the growing field of candidates who are seeking the Democratic nomination next year.
Mr. McGuire is well known in the financial world, but as political newcomer he will need to make inroads with voters, according to my colleague, Jeffery C. Mays, who covers local politics.
According to an interview with Emma G. Fitzsimmons, the New York City Hall bureau chief, McGuire seems like a really interesting candidate and could speak to voters who want someone with business experience and who want to elect the second Black mayor in the city’s history.
After the #BlackLivesMatter protests this year, some Democrats believe the city doesn’t need another white man as mayor. But the progressive wing of the party also has a lot of power right now, and they might think Mr. McGuire is too conservative. They might be skeptical of him since he is an executive who has worked with big corporations.
However, the two elected officials – the front-runners in the race who are viewed as leading candidates are Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, and Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller.
Mr. Adams did a “back to work” subway ride this week to urge New Yorkers to return to the system, and he’s Black and a former police officer, so he talks a lot about criminal justice issues.
Mr. Stringer has been trying to establish himself as one of the most progressive candidates in the race, and he emphasizes his knowledge of fiscal matters.
The pandemic and the city’s economic crisis are likely to be the biggest issues. The Democratic primary is in June, and New york City will still be grappling with the coronavirus and its economic repercussions then.