The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Episode: Hour 2 - Why the NYC Primary Matters Release Date: June 24, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into the significance of the New York City mayoral primary. Joined by their guest, Mark Simone from WOR 710 AM New York, the discussion navigates the complexities of the race, the emergence of a far-left candidate, and the broader implications for the Democratic Party and American politics.

1. The Battleground: NYC Mayoral Race

Mark Simone provides an in-depth analysis of the current mayoral race in New York City. He introduces the primary contenders, highlighting the unconventional rise of a candidate he refers to as "mom Donnie," an actual socialist, contrasting him with former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Mark Simone [04:01]: "This is the first election. We have to pray nobody wins this election today."

2. Scrutinizing Andrew Cuomo's Tenure

The hosts critically examine Andrew Cuomo's previous tenure as governor, outlining his controversial policies and their repercussions on New York State. Simone lists Cuomo's actions such as abolishing bail, altering the parole board, implementing congestion pricing, and handling the pandemic, which he argues led to significant outmigration and loss of congressional seats.

Mark Simone [05:54]: "He changed the parole board, put a bunch of left-wing kooks on there that let all the prisoners out. They've let out 43 cop killers."

3. The Rise of "Mom Donnie": A Socialist Candidate

"Mom Donnie" is portrayed as a charismatic and strategic candidate who has capitalized on Cuomo's perceived weaknesses. Simone discusses his early voting success, smooth campaigning, and appearances on platforms like The Colbert Report, positioning him as a formidable contender despite his far-left stance.

Mark Simone [05:54]: "He's very slick, he's very smooth talking, he's charming, great campaigner."

4. The Mechanics and Impact of Ranked Choice Voting

The conversation shifts to the implications of ranked choice voting (RCV) in the primary. Simone explains how RCV could prolong the vote-counting process and potentially favor "mom Donnie" by allowing strategic alliances and vote transfers across multiple rounds.

Mark Simone [09:23]: "Under ranked choice voting, no matter what the voters decided, they can go into these charts and graphs. It goes many, many rounds."

5. Broader Implications for the Democratic Party and National Politics

Travis and Simone explore how the outcome of the NYC primary serves as a barometer for the Democratic Party's trajectory. They express concern that the party's shift towards more extreme candidates could mirror national trends, potentially leading to broader electoral challenges in upcoming midterms and future elections.

Mark Simone [12:19]: "New York City is the barometer where you see how crazy they're gonna go. If they go this crazy here, actually voting in a socialist, then you know the party's gonna go even more nuts, which will kill them in the midterms next year."

6. Perspectives from New Yorkers

Listener Jacqueline shares her skepticism about the viability of Democratic candidates other than Curtis Lewa, a Republican, emphasizing concerns over rising crime and ineffective leadership.

Jacqueline [23:09]: "I don't think there is a viable Democratic candidate among all of them, except possibly for Adams. But really, as a New Yorker... Curtis Lewa, in my opinion, is really the only viable candidate."

7. Predictions and Future Outlook

The hosts and Simone discuss possible outcomes, including the potential for Cuomo to run as an independent if defeated in the Democratic primary. They also touch upon the possibility of Curtis Lewa, a Republican candidate, making a significant impact if given a fair platform.

Mark Simone [13:37]: "Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate. There is nobody else, and he's a nobody. Better."

Conclusion

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show offers a critical examination of the New York City mayoral primary, highlighting the tensions within the Democratic Party and the emergence of unconventional candidates. The discussion underscores the broader implications for national politics, suggesting that the NYC primary could signal future electoral challenges for Democrats if the trend towards more extreme candidates continues.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Simone [05:54]: "He's very slick, he's very smooth talking, he's charming, great campaigner."
• Mark Simone [09:23]: "Under ranked choice voting, no matter what the voters decided, they can go into these charts and graphs. It goes many, many rounds."
• Jacqueline [23:09]: "Curtis Lewa, in my opinion, is really the only viable candidate."