Zellnor Myrie’s J.D. ’16 campaign for the New York City mayoral primary saw a key development on Feb. 10 when he received the endorsement of Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who represents lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.
Goldman rose to national prominence in 2019 when he served as lead counsel during the first impeachment inquiry and trial for President Donald Trump. In 2022, he was elected to Congress to represent New York’s 10th district.
“We obviously are facing, in this city, a number of different crises that are just not getting the proper attention that they are due,” Goldman said during his announcement on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”. Goldman said he believes that Myrie would provide the type of leadership the Democrat party needs right now.
“He balances the vision — the courage of his convictions — but also the very smart, pragmatic policies that our city really needs,” Goldman said.
Myrie, a Democratic state senator representing central Brooklyn, is looking to make his case in a crowded New York City mayoral primary. Myrie is one of seven other Democratic nominees looking to unseat incumbent Democrat Eric Adams, who’s coming off a scandal-ridden first term. Two additional candidates — including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who currently leads early polling — are considering running as well.
Myrie entered the race last May, becoming the second Democrat after NYC Comptroller Brad Lander to challenge Adams. He has since fought to distinguish himself from other candidates, including fellow progressives Lander and State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-N.Y.), who are tied with Myrie at six percent each for voters who would rank them first, according to an Emerson College poll from earlier this month.
Myrie told MSNBC viewers that his campaign focuses on two key priorities: making NYC more affordable for residents and making the city a safer place to live. He proposed policies including universal afterschool programs for all students at city public schools and bolstering the New York City Police Department by adding 2,000 new detectives and 3,000 new officers to the force.
Adams faces the threat of removal by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and has an approval rating of 26 percent among New Yorkers. He also trails President Donald Trump by 12.3 points and Cuomo by 19.5 points in favorability. Candidates, including Myrie, are responding by focusing much of their campaign efforts on demonstrating clear vision and effective leadership abilities.
“My focus is on talking to as many people as possible about a vision for the future of this city — and right now, we are rudderless,” Myrie said during the segment. “We do not have that leadership, and that is why I think that this indictment has been so distracting and hurtful for this city.”
Myrie did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Sun.
