A Pledge For Our Free Market: New York City, Declare Your Independence

Many are concerned that the four free-market candidates (Adams, Cuomo, Sliwa and Walden) will split the vote for NYC Mayor, turning NYC over to socialism. Candidate Jim Walden proposes a solution, which would set up a two-way race in November, pitting capitalism against socialism. Read the details.

A socialist decisively won the Democratic primary. Given the widespread opposition to socialism, many are concerned that—in the November election—the free-market candidates will split the vote, allowing socialism to win. Socialism represents an existential risk to the city—politically, financially, and morally. Defeating socialism is now central to the mayoral campaign. 

Taking a page from the Democratic primary, the four free-market candidates should agree to a rank-choice poll by an independent polling firm. This would happen in mid-October. The results would be made public. Just like the Democrats who engineered a socialist victory in the primary, the free-market candidates could make cross-endorsements before the poll. 

When the poll results are announced, the losing candidates would endorse the winner and suspend their campaigns. This idea would require approval from the NYC Campaign Finance Board. Supporting another candidate generally triggers a requirement to repay public funds, a rule the CFB did not apply to the Democratics in the primary. 

This solution would strike a responsible balance, letting each candidate make their case to voters on the merits while offering a safety valve so that November’s election would be a one-on-one fight: free market against socialism, with no split vote. 

Socialism is not coasting to victory. Only 30% of Democrats – fewer than 1 million people – voted in the primary. There are more than 1 million independents among NYC’s 5.1 million registered voters. And, given the strong feelings against socialism, the November election could see record turnout. Anything is possible.

Candidates should not put their ambitions above the interests of New Yorkers and split the free-market vote. Subject to CFB approval, I make my own intentions clear and state where my priorities lie.

Jim Walden

Independent Candidate for Mayor