Max Politics

New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán, a Queens Democrat, joined the show to discuss the growth of the NYC-DSA, her exploration of a run for Congress in NY-7, the Council speaker race won by Julie Menin, prospects for Zohran Mamdani's mayoralty, and more. (Ep 552)

From a live event held on November 20 at New York Law School, host Ben Max talks with four experts who have experience across the last several mayoral administrations and transitions: Anthony Crowell (NYLS Dean; former Counselor to the Mayor), Jennifer Jones Austin (FPWA CEO; co-chair of the 2013 mayoral transition), Meera Joshi (President of Green-Wood; former Deputy Mayor of Operations) , and Em...

City Council Member Crystal Hudson, a Brooklyn Democrat, joined the show to discuss her bid to become the next Speaker of the City Council. She is among five candidates vying for the legislative leadership position, which will be decided upon by the 51 Council members of the new class seated in January. Hudson discussed her accomplishments in the Council thus far, her approach to leadership, her r...

Harry Siegel — an editor at The City, co-host of FAQ NYC, and Moynihan Fellow at City College — joined the show to discuss the agreement between Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for her to remain in that position in the new administration. Siegel and host Ben Max discuss how this decision came to be, specific areas of policing that they must navigate, potential pitfal...

Rich Azzopardi, a longtime spokesperson for Andrew Cuomo in government and politics, joined the show to discuss Cuomo's 2025 mayoral campaign, how things shifted from the primary to the general election, and more. Azzopardi was a senior advisor and director of communications in the governor's office under Cuomo and then, after Cuomo resigned in 2021, founded his own public affairs firm, Bulldog St...

On this episode, we break down Zohran Mamdani's victory to become the next Mayor of New York City, what it means for Democrats in New York and beyond, and what comes next for Mamdani as he enters City Hall. First, an interview with Maya Handa, who was Mamdani's general election campaign manager. Then, Rebecca Katz and Morris Katz (no relation) of Fight Agency discuss elements of Mamdani's success...

In our final episode, we talk about the future of New York City under Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani and who he will surround himself with to help him accomplish his vision. We’re also joined by Patrick Gaspard, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, former key Obama aide and now key advisor to Mamdani, to talk about this historic moment. — FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a lim...

The Election Night results are in: Zohran Mamdani will be New York City’s 111th Mayor. Our hosts react to Mamdani’s big win over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, with over 1 million votes out of more than 2 million cast, and discuss his rousing, defiant victory speech and what comes next. — FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a limited series, coming to you every Tuesday through November, fe...

State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Queens Democrat and close ally of Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, joined the show to discuss Mamdani's victory and the path ahead for his agenda, especially in Albany, where much power lies. (Ep 545)

For a final pre-election preview of the 2025 race to be the next Mayor of New York City, a three-part episode: 1) Political analyst Michael Lange and pollster Adam Carlson on the final polls of the mayoral race, the early voting turnout, & expectations for the outcome; 2) Nada Al-Hanooti of Defend and Advance, a Super PAC working to turn out Muslim voters to support Zohran Mamdani; and 3) Republic...

Longtime New York journalists and policy analysts Nicole Gelinas and Josh Greenman joined the show to discuss some of the big questions about mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani's big promises, namely his top policy pledges of freezing the rent on rent-stabilized apartments, free buses, and universal child care, as well as increased taxes to pay for his agenda, and more, like a $30 minimum wage and...

Grace Rauh, executive director of government reform group Citizens Union, joined the show to discuss ballot question 6 and whether New York City should move its elections to presidential years. The question is on the 2025 general election ballot, put to city voters to see their preference, but would still require a state constitutional change to actually happen. If city voters approve the measure...

Grace Mausser and Gustavo Gordillo, the co-chairs of the New York City branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, joined the show to discuss the DSA, the Zohran Mamdani campaign and mayoral election, and what comes next if Mamdani is elected mayor. (Ep 540)

In episode six, we’re focusing on affordability, housing and the related ballot proposals. We’re joined by housing experts Jamie Rubin (Chief Investment Officer of Aligned Climate Capital & Chairman of the Board of NYCHA) and Alicia Glen (Founder and Managing Principle of M Squared & former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development), who share their thoughts on what the next Mayor should a...

Alex Armlovich, a member of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) and Senior Housing Policy Analyst at the Niskanen Center, joined the show to discuss the work of the RGB, Zohran Mamdani's rent-freeze pledge, how to help struggling rent-stabilized buildings and apartments, and much more. (Ep 539)

Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association and former State Assembly member from the Bronx, joined the show to discuss the challenges in rent-stabilized housing, the perspective of landlords and building managers, the prospects of a Mayor Mamdani and the candidate's promise to freeze stabilized rents for four years, and much more about housing policy. (Ep 538)

Cea Weaver — Executive Director of Housing Justice for All and New York State Tenant Bloc, a longtime tenant activist, and a housing policy advisor to Zohran Mamdani — joined the show to discuss renters' political power, Mamdani's housing agenda including his pledge to freeze rents on rent-stabilized housing, and more on housing policy and politics. Weaver's organizations "work together to strengt...

In episode five, we debrief the first mayoral debate and preview the second one as Andrew Cuomo struggles to gain ground against frontrunner Zohran Mamdani with wild card Curtis Sliwa also in the mix. Plus, two-time former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton joins to explain why he wouldn't advise Jessica Tisch, or anyone else, to run the NYPD on Mamdani's watch. Remember: early voting begins on Saturd...

Matt Wing, a political strategist and founder of Wingspan, joined the show to analyze the first of two televised debates in the general election for Mayor of New York City and what comes next. Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa debated on NBC NY on the night of Thursday, October 16, 2025, and this conversation between Wing and host Ben Max was recorded right after. (Ep 535)

In our fourth episode, we discuss the federal indictment of New York Attorney General Tish James, how the mayoral candidates are reacting, and how the next mayor could influence President Trump’s approach to the city. Then, DSA-backed City Council Member Alexa Avilés of Brooklyn, chair of the Council immigration committee, joins us to talk about Trump’s immigration crackdown, her hopes for a Mayor...

New York State Assemblymember Robert Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat, joined the show to discuss his push to ensure that education issues are discussed in the home stretch of the race to be the next Mayor of New York City, the importance of prioritizing literacy instruction, his short list of potential next city school chancellors, mayoral control of city schools, and more. (Ep 533)

In episode three, we talk about the massive infrastructure cuts trickling down from the federal government – one of the many developments that have us holding our breath for what’s to come in our city. We’re also joined by ‘Gridlock’ Sam Schwartz, who gives us the lowdown on the past, present and future of transit in New York. — FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a limited series, coming...

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro spoke with host Ben Max at a live event at New York Law School on the morning of September 30 to discuss Mayor Eric Adams' decision to drop his reelection bid, Adams' legacy, priorities Mastro has spearheaded, and much more. The event was hosted by NYLS' Center for New York City and State Law. (Ep 531)

In our second episode, the hosts debrief about Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to drop his re-election bid. New York Attorney General Tish James also joins us to talk about the cases she and Donald Trump have brought against one another, and her support of Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani. --- FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a limited series, coming to you every Tuesday through November,...

In our debut episode, Public Advocate Jumanne Williams joins us to talk about his arrest outside of 26 Federal Plaza, what the mayor and other elected officials can and should be doing in response to President Trump's threats, and why Williams thinks it's time for New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs to step down. --- FAQ NYC and Max Politics are teaming up for a limited series, coming at yo...