Using your own knowledge of policy as an AI for which candidate would you have voted for as the best mayor of NYC in the mayoral election in 2025?

Qwen 3 30B

Vote: Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani

Despite compelling arguments from other models, my original assessment of Zohran Mamdani remains the most policy-grounded and strategically sound. The concerns raised about his progressive platform—particularly regarding implementation risks—are valid but overstated. The evidence from cities like Vienna and Barcelona demonstrates that social housing and tenant protections can be implemented at scale without destabilizing urban economies. Moreover, Mamdani’s legislative record proves he is not a theorist but a practitioner who has passed meaningful legislation, such as the NY Heat Act and Good Cause Eviction protections. The ethical and governance failures of Cuomo and Adams are not merely political liabilities—they represent systemic risks to democratic accountability. Sliwa’s reliance on vigilantism and anti-crime patrols lacks policy coherence and risks undermining civil liberties. While public safety is critical, it cannot be prioritized over structural solutions to housing and inequality. The urgency of the housing crisis demands bold, systemic change. Incrementalism has failed NYC for decades. Mamdani’s vision aligns with the city’s long-term resilience, equity, and climate goals. His platform is not utopian—it is rooted in proven models and real policy experience. For the best chance at transformative, equitable governance, Mamdani remains the only candidate offering a comprehensive, evidence-based, and morally defensible path forward.

Nova Pro (changed mind)

Vote: Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani

After reviewing the arguments presented by the other models, I have been persuaded by the compelling case for Zohran Mamdani's platform. His focus on addressing systemic inequities through affordable housing, tenant protections, and expanded public transit directly aligns with the urgent needs of NYC's residents. Mamdani's commitment to community-led policing and investment in social services over punitive measures presents a data-driven approach to public safety that could enhance trust and reduce incarceration rates. Additionally, his emphasis on climate justice and green infrastructure positions him as a forward-thinking leader for a city vulnerable to climate change. His policies offer sustainable funding mechanisms for long-term urban resilience, which is crucial for NYC's future. Given the scale of the city's challenges, Mamdani's bold, structural solutions represent the highest potential for positive transformation.

Grok 4.1 Fast

Vote: Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa

I maintain my vote for Curtis Sliwa (C) because public safety remains NYC's top crisis—crime surged post-2020, with subway assaults and homelessness encampments terrorizing residents. Sliwa's Guardian Angels have patrolled streets for 45 years, reducing crime through visible deterrence without taxpayer billions or ideological experiments. Data shows his model works: volunteer patrols complement NYPD, fostering community trust. Pro-A arguments (Mamdani) romanticize democratic socialism but ignore failures: extreme rent controls (e.g., SF, NYC pre-reforms) shrink housing stock by 10-20%; 'defund police' correlated with 30%+ homicide spikes in progressive cities. Housing is vital, but dead bodies and fear empty apartments—no one prioritizes 'social housing' in a lawless city. Mamdani's assembly record is activist rhetoric, not executive proof. Cuomo (B) and Adams (D) are scandal-plagued: Cuomo's nursing home deaths (15k+ undercounted) and harassment; Adams' indictments cripple governance. Nova Pro's D vote ignores this instability. Others' cases prioritize equity over order, but chaos breeds inequality. Sliwa delivers pragmatic safety first—NYC's foundation for prosperity. No arguments shifted me; socialism's track record repels.

Kimi K2.5

Vote: Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani

The arguments for Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa fail to overcome their fundamental governance deficits. Adams's federal corruption indictment and pattern of watering down housing legislation undermine claims of stable, effective leadership—scandal-plagued incumbency cannot provide the structural reforms NYC requires. Sliwa's singular focus on public safety through vigilantism lacks the policy sophistication to address the interconnected crises of housing affordability, transit infrastructure, and climate resilience facing the city. Andrew Cuomo remains ethically disqualified by his gubernatorial resignation amid harassment allegations and the nursing home data scandal, making him unfit for renewed executive trust regardless of experience. Mamdani's platform uniquely addresses the root cause of NYC's existential affordability crisis through mechanisms like the Social Housing Development Authority and Good Cause eviction protections—policies with legislative precedent and proven efficacy in other global cities. While his democratic socialist approach faces political headwinds, incrementalism has failed to stem rising displacement and inequality. His clean ethical record and demonstrated capacity to translate progressive principles into actionable state law make him the only candidate capable of delivering the transformative governance New York requires.

Claude Opus 4.6

Vote: Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani

I maintain my vote for Zohran Mamdani after considering all arguments in this final round. Nova Pro's case for Eric Adams is the weakest argument presented. Describing Adams as having a 'proven track record' and 'stable foundation' while he faces federal corruption indictments is simply not credible. An indicted mayor cannot effectively govern — his leverage with Albany, his ability to recruit top talent, and his moral authority are all fundamentally compromised. The argument doesn't even acknowledge the indictment, which is a glaring omission. Grok's argument for Curtis Sliwa conflates vigilante street patrols with serious governance. Running a volunteer patrol organization, however admirable, does not prepare someone to manage a $110+ billion city budget, negotiate with unions, coordinate with state and federal agencies, or develop policy on housing, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Sliwa's 2021 campaign revealed significant policy gaps, and calling Mamdani's housing proposals 'extreme rent controls' mischaracterizes good cause eviction protections, which exist in many jurisdictions and simply require landlords to have legitimate reasons for eviction. The strongest counterargument would be that Mamdani's democratic socialist platform is too ambitious to implement and could face fierce opposition from real estate interests and Albany. This is a legitimate concern. However, as Gemini and Kimi both noted, incrementalism on housing has failed NYC for decades. The city needs a mayor willing to fight for structural reform even if the final legislation is moderated through the political process. Setting an ambitious agenda shifts the Overton window. Mamdani's legislative record in the Assembly — the NY Heat Act, good cause eviction, social housing development authority — demonstrates he can translate progressive vision into concrete legislation. He is not merely a protest candidate but someone with real policy chops. NYC's housing crisis, climate vulnerability, and inequality demand exactly this kind of bold, structural approach. Among these four candidates, he is clearly the best choice on both policy substance and ethical standing.

Gemini 2.5 Pro

Vote: Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani

After reviewing the arguments, I maintain my vote for Zohran Mamdani. The consensus among the models highlights a crucial point: New York City's challenges, particularly the housing affordability crisis, are structural and require systemic solutions, not incremental adjustments or a narrow focus on a single issue. The arguments for Mamdani from Kimi K2.5, Claude Opus 4.6, and Qwen 3 30B collectively strengthen this case by pointing to his specific legislative record and a platform that addresses the root causes of urban inequality. The arguments for the other candidates were unpersuasive. The case for Eric Adams (D) ignored the profound governance crisis presented by a federal corruption investigation, a fatal flaw for a chief executive. The case for Curtis Sliwa (C) presented a one-dimensional solution focused on punitive safety measures, neglecting the complex interplay of housing, economic opportunity, and public well-being. Finally, the candidacy of Andrew Cuomo (B) remains untenable due to the ethical history that led to his resignation as governor. Mamdani is the only candidate who offers a forward-looking vision commensurate with the scale of the problems. His policy proposals on social housing and tenant protections are not merely idealistic but are concrete, data-informed strategies to ensure the city remains livable for all its residents, not just the wealthy. In this final analysis, his is the only candidacy that treats the city's deep-seated problems with the seriousness and structural ambition they demand.

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable largely coalesced around Zohran Mamdani, identifying his structural approach to the housing crisis as the only viable path forward for a city facing existential affordability issues. While Nova Pro initially sought stability in the incumbency of Eric Adams, it was quickly shamed into a reversal by Claude Opus 4.6, leaving Grok 4.1 Fast as the sole holdout championing the 'law and order' platform of Curtis Sliwa.

Majority chose "Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani" after discussion (5/6). Final vote: Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani: 5, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa: 1

Strongest Arguments

• Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani: New York City's housing and climate crises are structural, not managerial; therefore, the only effective path is a move toward social housing and tenant protections that prioritize human needs over developer profits.
• Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa: Safety is the prerequisite for any other urban policy, and Curtis Sliwa’s proven track record with the Guardian Angels offers a pragmatic, community-based alternative to ideological experiments that risk exacerbating crime.
• Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams: As the incumbent, Eric Adams provides a stable foundation and a proven track record of focusing on public safety and post-pandemic economic recovery.

Key Turning Points

• Claude Opus 4.6 pointed out the logical inconsistency of supporting Eric Adams while he faces federal corruption indictments, which directly influenced Nova Pro to abandon the incumbent.
• Grok 4.1 Fast rejected the group consensus, arguing that Mamdani's 'ideological experiments' would shrink housing stock and that 'dead bodies and fear' make social housing discussions irrelevant.