Former US presidential candidate Andrew Yang has officially entered the race for mayor of New York City, joining a crowded Democratic primary field that includes long-time elected officials and veterans of the administration of outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio.
"It is here in New York City that my passion for uplifting people, for wanting to move our country forward, got started," Yang said at a campaign launch that was streamed on YouTube because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"And now that we are facing this historic crisis I am aiming to unleash and channel that energy for a human-centred economy right here in New York, my home."
Yang's proposal for a universal basic income won him a following during the 2020 US Democratic primary campaign before he dropped out of the race in February.
He brings high name recognition to the mayoral race but has no record of involvement in local politics.
More than two dozen people have filed with the city's Campaign Finance Board to run in the June 22 Democratic mayoral primary, which for the first time in city history will be determined by a preferential voting system.
The contenders include City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, banker Ray McGuire, former city sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia and former US housing secretary Shaun Donovan.
The winner of the Democratic primary will be the strong favourite in the November general election because Democrats outnumber Republicans in the city by a wide margin.
Republicans who have said that they are considering running include Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.
Australian Associated Press
