David Paterson (pictured above)
Former New York governor, Upper East Side
You breakdanced on the runway!
It wasn’t my best performance because when I put my hands down to go up on my hands, I slid across the floor and that caused me to come down. So I had to go up a second time, and that was pretty good but it wasn’t what I’m capable of.
When would you say was your heyday for breakdancing?
I think in college in the late ’70s. And then I won a couple of limbo championships back in the day at amusement parks and that kind of thing. This was like my claim to fame before I went into politics.
How low could you go?
I could get pretty low.
Edward Gibbs
State assemblymember (District 68), East Harlem
Mark Levine
Manhattan borough president, Washington Heights
A good comptroller is all about budgeting. What room is there in your budget for fashion?
There really isn’t any. But we’re having a little bit of fun. You may not know this, but 90 percent of elected officials — we were geeks in high school. We were very unpopular. This is our moment to finally make up for lost time.
Lucy Lang
State inspector general, Harlem
Surya Garg
Fashion designer, Upper East Side
Carolyn B. Maloney
Former congresswoman (District 12), UES
What are you wearing today?
It’s Karolina Zmarlak. I asked her to do something for a New York frame of mind. My day starts at seven o’clock in the morning for breakfast meetings and ends into the night. I wanted something you can wear to business meetings, constituent meetings, and the opera.
Al Taylor
State assemblymember (District 71), Harlem
Jordan J.G. Wright
State assemblymember (District 70), Harlem
What’s exciting about New York politics right now?
We’re in a great spot right here with Soon-to-Be-Mayor Mamdani. I’m looking very much forward to serving with him, working with him, and making sure our city can be as good as it can be.
Ya-Ting Liu
Chief public-realm officer, Williamsburg
Louis Molina
DCAS commissioner, UES
Vilda Vera Mayuga
DCWP commissioner, Hamilton Heights
Erik Bottcher
City councilmember (District 3), Chelsea
How would you describe your day-to-day style?
I’m a skinny guy, so I like things that fit well. I like things I don’t have to iron every time.
Judah Holstein
County legislator, Eastchester
Jenifer Rajkumar
State assemblymember (District 38), Woodhaven
Curtis Sliwa
Republican candidate for mayor, Upper West Side
What would it take for you to drop out of the race?
No job, no bribe, no billion dollars. You can’t buy me or purchase me. You can’t rent me. I’m the Republican mayoral candidate. Let the people decide. I’m not interested in what the billionaires think.
Dynishal Gross
SBS commissioner, Prospect–Lefferts Gardens
Evie Litwok
Nonprofit founder and executive director, UWS
Selvena Brooks-Powers
City councilmember (District 31), Far Rockaway
Donovan Richards Jr.
Queens borough president, Rosedale
What does the hashtag on your sash stand for?
“Queens Get the Money.” Queens has taken over the world. We’re the most diverse county in the United States of America. And during a time when we see so much of our values under attack in this country, Queens is standing firm on who we are.
Photographs by Adam Dowling
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