For the first time on Thursday, the eight Democratic primary candidates running for mayor will get a prime-time opportunity to introduce themselves to an audience of voters that is just beginning to tune in. 

The frontrunner so far is undecided. A recent NY1 / Ipsos poll found a plurality of voters have yet to make up their minds on a candidate. 


What You Need To Know

  • The front runner so far is undecided

  • A recent NY1 / Ipsos poll found a plurality of voters have yet to make up their minds on a candidate

  • Everything from public safety, criminal justice reform, education, housing, transportation, the economy and the environment is on the ballot
  • In many ways, it is the most consequential election for New Yorkers in a generation

“Nobody has this locked up, it’s wide open," Kathryn Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner told NY1 in a recent interview. 

Garcia's campaign got the endorsement of The New York Times Editorial Board this week. The editorial praised her managerial chops but it’s not clear that’s enough to bring her single digit poll numbers to the top.

The debate could make or break the next phase of every campaign. 

Everything from public safety, criminal justice reform, education, housing, transportation, the economy and the environment is on the ballot. In many ways, it is the most consequential election for New Yorkers in a generation. 

Already the race has been turned upside down. Last month, City Comptroller Scott Stringer — considered a top tier candidate — was put on survival mode after his campaign was rocked by sexual harassment allegations

“I’m going to fight for the truth because these allegations are false," Stringer said shortly after the allegations were first revealed. 

Stringer has lost major endorsements including from a set of progressive women allies and the Working Families Party.

And there is Andrew Yang, the former presidential candidate who has the best name recognition but the least government experience. 

Yang's message of enthusiasm and optimism for the city’s future has resonated with some New Yorkers who have put him at the top of the list. 

There is also Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, a former police captain and state senator who has sought to distinguish himself as the blue collar candidate. He has a majority of the labor sector’s support.

On the trail, he’s often on the attack, pushing the image of a tough New Yorker ready to scrap on any stage. 

“I believe because I believe in me, and I know me and I’m a beast," Adams said at a recent rally with supporters this week.

Maya Wiley, a former top counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, has struggled in the polls despite early entry into the race. In recent days, she has been pushing herself as the women candidate, getting accolades from other trailblazers in politics. 

Wiley is not the only woman in the race. There is also Dianne Morales, the former non-profit CEO who has captured the imagination and support from the party’s left flank and some of the city’s youngest voters. 

Opportunity will be big for all, but perhaps most for Ray McGuire, a former Wall Street Executive who has little name recognition but has attracted millions of dollars in private donations. 

And it will also be a chance for Shaun Donovan to break through. The former member of the Obama administration has also worked under Bloomberg. On the trail, he has been highlighting the current administration's failures in an effort to highlight his own government experience.