Scott Stringer is standing by to answer your text message

Plenty of politicians send out fundraising texts, but mayoral candidate Scott Stringer wants you to text him. The former city comptroller recently launched The Sick and Tired hotline, where potential voters can text Stringer (at 646-601-5882) their questions about how he would deal with their gripes with the city if elected mayor. 

On Thursday, Stringer’s campaign released a video showing him answering “some real questions from real New Yorkers.” In the video, he sits on a couch and recites each would-be constituent’s text message off his phone, as a graphic of each text bubble conversation pops up.

The first question asks about why universal childcare was excluded from his platform, which gives him the opportunity to detail his Tri-Share Childcare Fund plan to make child care either free or more affordable for low-income and working-class families. 

When asked by a first-time voter what differentiates him from the other candidates in the race, Stringer highlights his three decades of government experience and his “vision for what this city can be.” When asked which of his rival candidates he would most like to have dinner with, he says it is too early to say, but hints that he will later recommend a candidate for his supporters to rank second on their ballots.

The other questions featured in the video probe Stringer’s thoughts on extended school days, overflowing trash on the streets and his “Mitchell-Lama 2.0” plan to build more affordable housing on city-owned lots.

The campaign video also features dad jokes galore and a jab at former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the frontrunner in the race. 

This is not Stringer’s first unconventional campaign gimmick; he previously hosted a bus tour for reporters to knock Cuomo.