Author Archive
Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Commentary: You can’t blame Hochul for Democrats’ failures this time
Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Democratic Party notched wins even as the national Democratic Party collapsed – the inverse of what happened in 2022.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Commentary: Can Brad Lander really beat Eric Adams?
Young progressives, older liberals and many activist-minded Democrats will be thrilled to vote for Lander, but others will be indifferent or outright hostile.
- By Ross Barkan
Commentary
Opinion
Commentary: Why are pro-Palestinian activists protesting Bowman and AOC?
Even as pro-Israel groups spend millions against Rep. Jamaal Bowman, some pro-Palestinian activists remain critical of him.
- By Ross Barkan
Andrew Cuomo
Opinion
Commentary: It’s too early to anoint Cuomo the next mayor
He’d struggle in ranked-choice voting. Campaign finance laws would prevent him from transferring his war chest into a mayoral campaign. And he doesn’t even live in New York City.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Commentary: The hard part of being mayor has started for Eric Adams
His supporters hoped he might be a more populist version of Mike Bloomberg. But he has unwittingly echoed Donald Trump.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Commentary: Hakeem Jeffries’ socialist problem
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries can’t defeat the Democratic Socialists of America, and they can’t defeat him, leading to an uncomfortable stasis.
- By Ross Barkan
Commentary
Opinion
Commentary: Chris Quinn for Mayor?
The former City Council speaker has spent nearly a decade running a homeless services nonprofit. She could be a strong contender in 2025 – if only she would challenge Adams.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Commentary: Apocalyptic Eric
Why does the mayor of New York City insist that New York City is doomed?
- By Ross Barkan
Commentary
Opinion
Commentary: The newspaper war that will shape the 2025 mayoral election
The New York Times and New York Post are the last two newspapers in the city with the power to move votes. Their coverage of Eric Adams could make all the difference.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Commentary: Jamaal Bowman is Eric Adams' political nightmare
He doesn't live in New York City (yet), but Rep. Jamaal Bowman could be a real threat to Eric Adams in the 2025 mayoral primary.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Barkan: Adams’ residency matters less than his real estate policies
Adams is a landlord and that’s how he approaches rent regulation.
- By Ross Barkan
MagazineShow All
Campaigns & Elections
Opinion
Barkan: Stringer should drop out and endorse Wiley
Progressives need to consolidate behind their only candidate with a chance of winning.
- By Ross Barkan
New York City
Opinion
Barkan: Kathryn Garcia is as moderate as Yang and Adams
Progressives may be turning towards because she is competent, but her ideology doesn’t always align with theirs.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Unquestioning support for Israel is no longer safe for NY Democrats
Until very recently, even staunch progressives unconditionally backed the Netanyahu government. Not any more.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Barkan: Eric Adams has no principles
The Brooklyn borough president flip flops even more dramatically than Andrew Yang.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Yang and Adams benefit from rejecting defund the police
Progressives have been on a winning streak in New York City, but the mayoral race is shaping up differently.
- By Ross Barkan
Labor
Policy
When union endorsements matter, and when they don’t
In 2021, the smaller the race, the bigger the bounce from organized labor’s backing.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
After Stringer, is there any progressive with a chance of being NYC mayor?
The two remaining options are Maya Wiley and Dianne Morales, but each may have limited appeal.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Yang can’t stop remote work
The mayoral candidate wants a tax break for companies requiring employees go to an office. This is a very bad idea.
- By Ross Barkan
Opinion
Opinion
Larry Schwartz’s calls to county executives are classic Cuomo
The governor’s team prizes loyalty and is quick to turn to intimidation tactics.
- By Ross Barkan