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Wright is an attorney who bills himself as “a humanitarian representing the people.” Prior to running for mayor, he gained notice for working to overturn a conviction on drug charges that would have put him behind bars for life. The ABC drama “For Life” was based on his life story.
Wright’s major policy proposal is reforming NYCHA to make homeownership possible for current residents. “You’re stepping into a city and nobody owns their own home,” he told Politics NY in January. He has pledged to increase the local minimum wage and demilitarize the police.
Wright has been endorsed by rappers 50 Cent, a producer of “For Life,” and Fat Joe.
Website: wrightfornyc2021.com
Positions
THE CITY sent three multiple-choice surveys to every Democratic and Republican mayoral candidate on the ballot for the June 22 primary, starting in February. Wright responded to none of the three surveys. We have filled in missing responses where possible using his public statements.
NYPD
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Should the NYPD uniformed force be downsized beyond currently planned levels?
No response / no position
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Should the NYPD respond to 911 calls involving people in severe emotional distress?
No response / no position
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Should NYPD officers reside in the five boroughs?
No response / no position
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Should the NYPD commissioner have final say on disciplining officers for conduct violations?
No response / no position
Education
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Should admission to existing specialized high schools continue to depend on a single Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT)?
No response / no position
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Should New York City have more charter schools?
No response / no position
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Should middle school admissions remain limited to students attending school in or residing in a district?
No response / no position
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Should public school parent associations continue to be able to raise unlimited sums?
No response / no position
COVID Recovery
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Should New York consider mandatory vaccinations (with appropriate medical exemptions) if voluntary uptake of COVID vaccines does not reach sufficient levels?
No response / no position
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Should the Open Streets program, including outdoor dining, become permanent?
No response / no position
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Should NYC provide economic relief to undocumented immigrants who do not qualify for federal aid?
No response / no position
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Which statement most closely reflects your view of Mayor de Blasio’s approach to school reopening?
No response / no position
Transportation
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Should New York proceed as soon as possible with congestion pricing, charging vehicles to enter central Manhattan?
No response / no position
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Should New York City gain control of its subway and bus systems?
No response / no position
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What course will you chart for the city-funded NYC Ferry system?
No response / no position
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Choose the statement that best describes your position on bike lanes:
No response / no position
Housing
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Which statement describes your preferred approach to spending the city’s affordable housing dollars?
No response / no position
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Do you intend to “upzone” (increase permitted building size) areas of low-density neighborhoods to promote affordable and other housing development?
No response / no position
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Should NYCHA continue toward its goal of placing half of its apartments into private management under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program?
No response / no position
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Should surplus funds received by the city from Battery Park City — an estimated $400 million over 10 years — be steered exclusively to NYCHA?
No response / no position
Immigration
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Should non-citizens be allowed to vote in local elections?
No response / no position
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Should government cash assistance be available to low-income undocumented immigrants?
No response / no position
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Should NYC pay for attorneys to represent New Yorkers facing deportation in immigration court?
No response / no position
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Do you support measures to legalize basement and attic apartments?
No response / no position
Labor
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With hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers facing extended unemployment, which of the following would you make your top priority for investing federal aid dollars?
No response / no position
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Should New York reclassify gig workers — including food deliverers and Uber drivers — as employees?
No response / no position
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Which statement best describes your approach to bargaining with municipal labor unions?
No response / no position
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New York has been a leader in increasing the minimum wage. Should the state increase it above $15 an hour in the first two years of your term?
No response / no position
Criminal Justice
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Will you direct the NYPD to stop arrests for drug possession?
No response / no position
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Should NYC stay on course to close all jails on Rikers Island by 2027?
No response / no position
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Should NYC ban solitary confinement within jails?
No response / no position
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Which of the following would you choose as your top priority in addressing individuals charged with a crime and awaiting trial:
No response / no position
Taxes
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The next mayor will inherit well documented inequities in property tax assessments. What will you do?
No response / no position
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Should NYC resume collecting taxes on stock transfers?
No response / no position
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Should New York impose a “pied a terre” tax on homes that are not a primary residence?
No response / no position
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Will you further tax the ultra wealthy?
No response / no position
Borough Edition
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The Bronx: Do you support building a stadium for the NYCFC soccer club next to Yankee Stadium?
No response / no position
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Brooklyn: Do you support the National Grid’s proposal to expand its natural gas facilities, including building a pipeline through parts of Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, and Williamsburg?
No response / no position
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Manhattan: Do you support commercial rent control?
No response / no position
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Queens: The Sunnyside Master Plan envisions 12,000 affordable homes, a new regional rail station, 60 acres of open space and more to be built atop a platform over the western Queens rail yard. Will you work to realize the plan?
No response / no position
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Staten Island: Will you commit to restoring 24/7 half-hour service on the Staten Island Ferry? If so, when?
No response / no position
Leadership
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Should NYC’s next mayor appoint campaign contributors to boards, commissions and other posts?
No response / no position
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Should city officials be able to raise funds from private donors for affiliated nonprofit entities?
No response / no position
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Which of the following leadership styles will best serve NYC’s next mayor?
No response / no position
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Should NYC’s next mayor veto any bills presented by the City Council?
No response / no position
Homelessness
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NYC is legally required to guarantee a “right to shelter.” Should related agreements be updated?
No response / no position
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Should hotels remain residences for homeless people post-pandemic?
No response / no position
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Should the NYPD play a role in response to people living on the streets and in the subway system?
No response / no position
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Should NYC’s next mayor close the 30th Street shelter, the main point of entry into the system for single men?
No response / no position
Climate Change
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By 2024, big NYC buildings will have to meet energy efficiency targets or face fines. Which one of the following should the next mayor prioritize to make sure they don’t fall short?
No response / no position
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What should the next mayor’s top priority be for neighborhoods in the most vulnerable flood zones?
No response / no position
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NYC’s current mayor vowed to ban gas hook-ups in new construction by 2030. Are you on board?
No response / no position
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The newly revived organic waste recycling program will be available only in some community districts and only on demand. Should that change?
No response / no position
Building NYC Better
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What route should NYC’s mayor take to expand access to broadband internet at home?
No response / no position
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Should real estate developers be allowed to construct bigger buildings if they pay for elevator installation at nearby subway stations without access?
No response / no position
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Should new real estate development require approvals beyond those that currently exist under the city land use review process?
No response / no position
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Which of the following should NYC’s next mayor do first about sidewalk sheds attached to buildings?
No response / no position
Quality of Life
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Should the mayor’s office crack down on short-term rentals from services like Airbnb, which are illegal under state law if the owner is not present during the stay?
No response / no position
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Should NYC be home to full-fledged gambling casinos?
No response / no position
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Should city government open public restrooms as a widely available amenity?
No response / no position
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A new law creates 4,000 new street vendor licenses over 10 years, most outside Manhattan. Should the city:
No response / no position
Candidates
Meet Your Mayor
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