Our favorite City & State New York covers of 2023

At City & State, we’re lucky to be able to illuminate the arcana of New York politics for our audience. Where else will you find procurement reform on the cover of a magazine? Creative Director Andrew Horton, who comes up with cover concepts each week, highlighted a few of his favorites from 2023.

UNBOUGHT, UNBOSSED, UNRIVALED – By Jordi Ferrándiz, Feb. 6

“For Shirley, I just wanted to capture her as students of New York politics remember her: As someone unafraid to speak out,” Horton said – noting how the unusual color scheme of coral, gray and yellow-orange helped accomplish that.

The story: ‘Black women, Brooklynites, daughters of immigrants’ – Shirley Chisholm’s enduring impact on NY lawmakers

BELIEVE – By Neil Jamieson, May 22

“I was playing with the iconography of contemporary pop culture,” Horton said of this cover, which styles City Council Member Francisco Moya as HBO’s fictional American soccer coach Ted Lasso.

The story: Francisco Moya is so close to bringing professional soccer to Willets Point

RUN NYC – By Horton, June 5

“This is the one I was most proud of this year,” Horton said. This issue celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and the borough where it was born: the Bronx. “It absolutely speaks to both the impact of hip-hop in politics but also is a nod to the powerful graphic design of the early years of hip-hop. It’s a nod to a founding formational New York hip-hop group. And it’s a pun that I can’t believe no one’s ever run before.”

The story: How hip-hop took over New York politics

CAMPAIGN CONFIDENTIAL – By Tim Bower, June 12

“This one is a nod to Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover called ‘The Gossips,’” Horton said. “It captures not only the very social aspect of politicking in New York, but also pokes fun at the way sometimes messages can be misinterpreted and twisted.”

The story: Campaign Confidential coverage of City Council primaries

ELISA CRESPO & THE NEW PRIDE AGENDA – Photo by Amy Lombard, June 19

“We photograph a lot of power players in the city, but not everyone comes across as elegantly as Elisa has here,” Horton said.

The story: Meet the next generation of LGBTQ+ rights activists in New York

SWEATING OVER CLIMATE CHANGE – By Zohar Lazar, July 17

“When I started at City & State, I said I’m going to try to avoid a King Kong cover, but I’ve been here five years now. After 250 covers, I think I’m owed a King Kong cover,” Horton said. “The image of the planes being used as fans always makes me want to crack a smile.”

The story: Special report: Clean Energy

JUSTIN BRANNAN WILL TEACH YOU GUITAR – Photo by Emily Assiran, July 31

“I’d like to thank Brannan for being a good sport,” Horton said of this cover, which references the once-ubiquitous “Dan Smith Will Teach You Guitar” posters and Brannan’s musical talent. “It’s another nod to classic New York City iconography.”

The story: Justin Brannan knows what it takes for Democrats to win in Bay Ridge

BIENVENIDOS A NUEVA YORK – By Luis Pinto, Sept. 25

“I wanted that cover to capture and remind people of the positive things that immigrants bring to this city and country,” Horton said. “I wanted to capture the beauty and strength of Latino culture in an image.”

The story: Commentary: Migrants are breaking Democratic Party unity

THE LAST DEMOCRAT ON LONG ISLAND – By Alison Seiffer, Nov. 6

“This was an attempt to make my high school English teacher proud,” Horton said of the Gatsby donkey – which resonated with many Long Island politicos.

The story: Will the red wave wash away the last Democratic seat on Long Island?

HE’S JUST GEORGE – By Horton, photo by Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images, Dec. 11

“A beautiful case of serendipity. Our Winners & Losers issue came out one week after he left Congress and one week before Barbie got all the Golden Globe nominations. Sometimes you get lucky.”

The story: Winners & Losers of 2023: Who flopped