amNY Your Vote: Who will be NYC’s next mayor? Here’s the story behind each candidate

By Ethan Stark-Miller Posted on September 4, 2025

Before they became famous, many past New York City mayors had colorful backgrounds — Fiorello LaGuardia was a translator at the Ellis Island Immigration Center, John Lindsay was a “ski bum” and the scandal-plagued Jimmy Walker was a Broadway lyricist.

The four men running this November for what’s often called the second-toughest job in America also bring unique experiences to the table that may give voters a glimpse into their leadership style, and help inform them of making the right choice to serve as mayor for the next four years.