The Focus Group Podcast: NYC's Very Dumb Primary (S5 Ep23 with Harry Siegel)
Release Date: June 21, 2025
Host: Sarah Longwell, Publisher of The Bulwark
Guest: Harry Siegel, Senior Editor at The City, Columnist at New York Daily News, Co-host of FaqNYC

Introduction

In Season 5, Episode 23 of The Focus Group Podcast, host Sarah Longwell delves into the tumultuous landscape of the New York City mayoral primary. Joined by Harry Siegel, a seasoned journalist and political commentator, they dissect why this primary is being dubbed "the worst Democratic primary in the world." The discussion navigates through the complexities of ranked choice voting, the stark contrast between leading candidates, and the prevailing voter concerns that are shaping this contentious race.

Overview of the NYC Mayoral Primary

Sarah opens the conversation by highlighting the peculiar nature of the current NYC Democratic primary. With an overwhelming Democratic population, the real contest takes place within the primary itself, as the incumbent and likely nominee, Andrew Cuomo, faces off against Zoran Mamdani, a socialist state assemblyman. Harry outlines the bizarre field of candidates, emphasizing that ranked choice voting is effectively narrowing the race to these two frontrunners, despite the presence of six other statistically significant contenders.

Harry Siegel [02:57]: "This Democratic primary, to say what's gross about these people... it's extremely likely that both Andrew Cuomo and Zoran Mamdani... are going to run in the general."

Candidate Analysis

Andrew Cuomo:
The disgraced former governor still commands a significant lead in early polls. Despite numerous scandals, including sexual harassment allegations and mishandling of COVID-19 nursing home protocols, Cuomo's political acumen and familiarity give him a resilient base.

Sarah Longwell [25:43]: "I do give him a lot more grace than a lot of people who are not personally involved."

Zoran Mamdani:
A younger, more progressive candidate, Mamdani brings fresh energy and ambitious policies like eliminating bus fares and freezing rents. However, critics question his lack of executive experience and the feasibility of his grandiose plans.

Sarah Longwell [35:04]: "He's the prime candidate with big ideas, but I'm worried that he will fall flat by promising too much, not being able to deliver."

Brad Lander:
Despite being a strong contender with substantial experience as city controller, Lander struggles to break into the top two. His cross-endorsement with Mamdani signifies tactical alliances but fails to shift the primary's dynamics significantly.

Harry Siegel [52:07]: "I really like Brad Lander. That's who I think should be the mayor."

Voter Concerns: Crime and Affordability

A central theme in the focus groups revolves around increasing fears related to crime and the escalating cost of living in NYC. Voters express frustration over perceived ineffectiveness in combating crime and the city's growing unaffordability.

Sarah Longwell [14:14]: "I just think the city is just extremely scary... crime and housing affordability... these are top of mind."

Harry adds that while crime has been a persistent issue, recent statistics show a slight improvement, yet public perception remains bleak.

Harry Siegel [14:35]: "Crime and public safety... are always pretty high on people's minds."

Impact of Ranked Choice Voting

Ranked choice voting (RCV) plays a pivotal role in shaping the primary's outcome. Voters rank their top five candidates, with lower-ranked choices being redistributed as eliminations occur. While RCV is intended to provide a more representative choice without "wasting" votes, both Longwell and Siegel criticize its implementation, especially since it's only applied to primaries and not the general election.

Harry Siegel [60:03]: "I think ranked voting adds a bit of confusion and forces people into making selections without necessarily being truly informed."

Voters in the focus groups expressed mixed feelings about RCV, appreciating the ability to express broader preferences but frustrated by its complexity and perceived inefficiency.

Media Influence and New York Times' Role

The New York Times' editorial board's lukewarm stance on endorsing candidates further complicates the primary. While traditionally influential, their reluctance to unequivocally back a candidate like Cuomo highlights internal conflicts and diminishing authority.

Harry Siegel [9:48]: "The Times decided last year that they were no longer going to endorse in local races... It's pathetic because this is where the paper has the most influence."

Focus Group Insights

The episode features insights from focus groups comprising registered Democrats intensely engaged in the primary. Voters articulate a desire for strong leadership to address crime and economic concerns but remain skeptical about the available candidates' ability to deliver effective solutions.

Voter Quote [12:25]: "In the spine to stand up to Washington. And everything is happening."

Longwell emphasizes that while Mamdani energizes the base with ambitious proposals, voters worry about the practicality and execution of such policies.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Sarah and Harry conclude by reflecting on the potential future of ranked choice voting in NYC, suggesting it may be on the verge of being replaced due to its current shortcomings. They anticipate that upcoming charter revisions could lead to more straightforward, nonpartisan primaries, potentially revitalizing NYC's democratic processes.

Harry Siegel [63:11]: "The weird good news is that corrupt ex-cop current Mayor Eric Adams has a charter revision commission... which could be the year to transform New York's election system."

Ultimately, the episode paints a picture of a primary fraught with frustrations over candidate choices, electoral mechanics, and broader systemic issues, leaving listeners to ponder the future direction of New York City's political landscape.

Notable Quotes

• Sarah Longwell [02:10]: "These are my favorite podcasts that we do... special guests will take you behind the glass to hear what real focus group participants have to say."

• Harry Siegel [25:08]: "Andrew Cuomo is looming... it's a very bizarre field."

• Sarah Longwell [36:44]: "There's a lot of enthusiasm, there's a ton of voters... it's helping Mamdani pass them."

• Harry Siegel [53:45]: "Brad Lander and Zoram Mandani just cross endorsed each other."

Key Takeaways

• The NYC mayoral primary is highly polarized between Andrew Cuomo and Zoran Mamdani, with other candidates struggling to gain traction.
• Voter concerns focus primarily on crime and affordability, reflecting deep-seated anxieties about living conditions in NYC.
• Ranked choice voting, while intended to enhance voter expression, is criticized for its complexity and limited applicability.
• Media influence, particularly the New York Times' editorial decisions, plays a significant role in shaping candidate perceptions.
• Future electoral reforms may seek to simplify the voting process and increase representativeness in NYC politics.

For more insights and detailed discussions, visit The Bulwark's Focus Group Podcast.