for The New York Times: First Candidate Drops Out of Crowded N.Y.C. Mayor Race by José A. Alvarado Jr.

Media News

for The New York Times: First Candidate Drops Out of Crowded N.Y.C. Mayor Race

josé a. alvarado jr.

Jan 27, 2021

Location: New York City

In the New York City mayoral race, where there are at least 30 declared candidates, if one of the lesser-known entrants drops out, will it make a ripple?

Zach Iscol hopes so.

Mr. Iscol is ending his long-shot bid for mayor, amid hopes that he can make more of an impact as a new candidate in the city comptroller’s race.

Mr. Iscol’s odds will certainly improve: Eight other comptroller candidates have filed paperwork with the city Campaign Finance Board, though one has already dropped out; of those remaining, only two — Brad Lander, a Brooklyn city councilman, and Brian A. Benjamin, a state senator — have met the minimum thresholds to receive matching public funds.

Mr. Iscol had hoped that his moderate brand of Democratic politics and history of public service in the military and in the nonprofit world would attract a following. But he was unable to gain much traction and said he decided that he and New York might be better served if he shifted his focus to another race.
“There are some amazing people who would be history-making in becoming mayor — people of color, women, women of color, people with various ideologies and backgrounds and experiences,” Mr. Iscol said in an interview. “It’s a strong field, and I’m confident in that field we will end up with a good mayor. I don’t see the same happening in the comptroller’s race.”

Photographed for The New York Times, words by Jeffery C. Mays.

First Candidate Drops Out of Crowded N.Y.C. Mayor Race
Zach Iscol says he’ll now run for comptroller, but there are still roughly 30 candidates seeking to replace Mayor Bill de Blasio.

First Candidate Drops Out of Crowded N.Y.C. Mayor Race
Zach Iscol says he’ll now run for comptroller, but there are still roughly 30 candidates seeking to replace Mayor Bill de Blasio.

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José A. Alvarado Jr.

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