As New York City’s mayoral race heats up, voters and business owners alike are mulling over their political and economic agendas and trying to determine who the business community’s choice is for the upcoming election. In a city where the business sector drives both the economy and job growth, narrowing down the options for mayor can seem like quite a daunting task.
However, with extensive research, a review of the leading candidates’ qualifications and backgrounds, and interviews with business owners in the community, it’s possible to identify the candidate who is the NYC business community’s favorite to become the next Mayor.
The Candidates
In the race for mayor of New York City, there are two leading candidates: Scott Stringer and Maya Wiley.
• Scott Stringer is the current Comptroller of New York City, where he serves as the city’s chief financial officer, auditor, and fiscal advisor. He is well-known for championing policies that increase economic development, promote job security and worker protections, and encourage investments in the city’s infrastructure.
• Maya Wiley is the former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio and chair of the New York City Mayor’s Commission on Gender Equity. She has a deep understanding of city government and is passionate about addressing income inequality and creating a more vibrant economy.
Interviews with Business Owners
To find out which candidate is the business community’s top pick for mayor of New York City, we conducted interviews with a variety of business owners from different industries. Here’s what they had to say:
• Brett, who owns a bakery on the Upper West Side, believes Scott Stringer is best suited to serve as mayor. He is impressed by Stringer’s data-driven, economically-focused approach, and believes that this combined with his commitment to increasing job security and protecting workers will be beneficial for the city’s businesses.
• Mark, the co-owner of a construction company in Brooklyn, is a fan of Maya Wiley.Mark believes Wiley’s focus on social justice and combating income inequality will create more of an equitable playing field which will spur economic growth in New York City.
• Kayla, the owner of a software development company on the Lower East Side, appreciates both candidates’ platforms and vision for the future of the city. While she values Stringer’s tangible approaches to creating economic growth, she says what sets him apart is his ability to think beyond the numbers, and that it’s his understanding of social justice and his stance on protecting workers
The Results
When it comes to who the NYC business community’s choice for mayor is, it’s currently leaning towards Scott Stringer. His data-driven, economically-focused approach, coupled with his commitment to increasing job security and protecting workers has resonated with many business owners. However, Maya Wiley’s progressive policies, deep understanding of city government, and focus on combatting income inequality also makes her a popular choice among the business community. Both candidates offer an impressive vision for the city’s future, and at this point it seems that the business community is split between them.
The Pros and Cons of Each Candidate
To provide a more comprehensive examination of the two leading mayoral candidates, it’s important to take a closer look at the pros and cons of each of their political and economic agendas.
Scott Stringer:
Pros
• Experienced professional with a track record of success
• Has a data-driven, economically-focused approach that is beneficial for businesses
• Committed to increasing job security and protecting workers
• Well-versed in the complexities of city government
Cons
• Has been accused of mishandling funds in the city’s budget
• Some of his progressive policies are seen as too costly by some
Maya Wiley:
Pros
• A progressive agenda that is focused on social justice and economic equity
• Deep understanding of city government
• Emphasis on investing in the city’s infrastructure and creating better job opportunities
Cons
• Not many tangible solutions for addressing income inequality
• Some of her policies are seen as too costly by some
The Final Verdict
While both candidates have compelling political and economic agendas, the NYC business community’s choice for mayor seems to be Scott Stringer. His experience as Comptroller of New York City, his data-driven approach to economic growth and job security, and his commitment to protecting workers have solidified him as the frontrunner in this race.
This election comes at a time when the business community needs leadership and direction. With Stringer’s commitment to improving business conditions, creating more job opportunities, and fostering economic growth, he is in a prime position to be elected mayor of NYC.
