Matt Wing, a political strategist and founder of Wingspan, joined the show to analyze the first of two televised debates in the general election for Mayor of New York City and what comes next. Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa debated on NBC NY on the night of Thursday, October 16, 2025, and this conversation between Wing and host Ben Max was recorded right after. (Ep 535)

Analyzing the First Mayoral Debate, with Matt Wing

Cea Weaver — Executive Director of Housing Justice for All and New York State Tenant Bloc, a longtime tenant activist, and a housing policy advisor to Zohran Mamdani — joined the show to discuss renters' political power, Mamdani's housing agenda including his pledge to freeze rents on rent-stabilized housing, and more on housing policy and politics. Weaver's organizations "work together to strengthen tenant organizing, advocate pro-tenant legislation, and elect tenants and their allies to public office in New York." She has run winning campaigns to expand rent stabilization and protect rent-stabilized housing, pass "good cause eviction," and more. (Ep 536)

Cea Weaver on Tenants' Electoral Power, Mamdani's Rent Freeze Pledge, & Housing Policy

Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association and former State Assembly member from the Bronx, joined the show to discuss the challenges in rent-stabilized housing, the perspective of landlords and building managers, the prospects of a Mayor Mamdani and the candidate's promise to freeze stabilized rents for four years, and much more about housing policy. (Ep 538)

Kenny Burgos on Rent Stabilized Housing, Mamdani's Rent Freeze Pledge, & More

Alex Armlovich, a member of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) and Senior Housing Policy Analyst at the Niskanen Center, joined the show to discuss the work of the RGB, Zohran Mamdani's rent-freeze pledge, how to help struggling rent-stabilized buildings and apartments, and much more. (Ep 539)

Alex Armlovich on the Rent Guidelines Board, Mamdani's Rent Freeze Pledge, & Housing Policy

Grace Mausser and Gustavo Gordillo, the co-chairs of the New York City branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, joined the show to discuss the DSA, the Zohran Mamdani campaign and mayoral election, and what comes next if Mamdani is elected mayor. (Ep 540)

NYC DSA Co-Chairs on Zohran Mamdani, the 2025 Mayoral Race, & What Comes Next

Grace Rauh, executive director of government reform group Citizens Union, joined the show to discuss ballot question 6 and whether New York City should move its elections to presidential years. The question is on the 2025 general election ballot, put to city voters to see their preference, but would still require a state constitutional change to actually happen. If city voters approve the measure - placed on the ballot by a Charter Revision Commission - and the state process unfolds (including state legislative passage in two consecutive terms and a statewide ballot referendum being approved), it could be in effect for 2032. Rauh and Citizens Union are in favor of the switch to improve voter participation, but some are worried about local races and issues getting overshadowed by national ones, among other concerns. The one-time shift could also allow the next mayor and other city electeds to hold office for 11 years in sum. (Ep 541)

Ballot Question 6: Should NYC Move Its Elections to Presidential Years?

Longtime New York journalists and policy analysts Nicole Gelinas and Josh Greenman joined the show to discuss some of the big questions about mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani's big promises, namely his top policy pledges of freezing the rent on rent-stabilized apartments, free buses, and universal child care, as well as increased taxes to pay for his agenda, and more, like a $30 minimum wage and a Department of Community Safety. Gelinas is a Manhattan Institute senior fellow and contributing opinion writer at the New York Times and Greenman is managing editor at Vital City. (EP 542)

Big Questions About Zohran Mamdani's Big Promises, with Nicole Gelinas & Josh Greenman

For a final pre-election preview of the 2025 race to be the next Mayor of New York City, a three-part episode: 1) Political analyst Michael Lange and pollster Adam Carlson on the final polls of the mayoral race, the early voting turnout, & expectations for the outcome; 2) Nada Al-Hanooti of Defend and Advance, a Super PAC working to turn out Muslim voters to support Zohran Mamdani; and 3) Republican strategist Chapin Fay with his thoughts on GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa, calls for Sliwa to drop out and endorse Andrew Cuomo, and various related political dynamics.  (Ep 543)

Final Pre-Election Preview, with Michael Lange, Adam Carlson, Nada Al-Hanooti, & Chapin Fay

State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat and close ally of Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, joined the show to discuss Mamdani's victory and the path ahead for his agenda, especially in Albany, where much power lies. (Ep 545)

Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris on Mayor-Elect Mamdani & What Comes Next

On this episode, we break down Zohran Mamdani's victory to become the next Mayor of New York City, what it means for Democrats in New York and beyond, and what comes next for Mamdani as he enters City Hall. First, an interview with Maya Handa, who was Mamdani's general election campaign manager. Then, Rebecca Katz and Morris Katz (no relation) of Fight Agency discuss elements of Mamdani's success that Morris helped craft as his lead media strategist, lessons from Bill de Blasio's tenure he needs to take into City Hall, and much more. (Ep 546)

How Mamdani Won & What It Means for Democrats, with Maya Handa, Morris Katz, & Rebecca Katz

Max Politics is a New York politics podcast hosted by journalist Ben Max featuring in-depth interviews with elected and appointed officials, candidates, advocates, and others about New York City and State politics and policy. Produced at New York Law School and its Center for New York Law. Get in touch: benmax25@gmail.com
--------
Intro/outro music is Live-It by <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/as-above-so-below/live-it-instrumental/">Ketsa</a>. source (Free Music Archive) and license type (CC BY-NC-ND)

New tracks tagged #Max Politics