The Perez Notes

Episode Title: Sarah Batchu: A New Vision for NYC’s District 2 Show Description: On this episode of The Perez Notes, we’re joined by Sarah Batchu—public servant, nonprofit leader, and passionate advocate for a more just and caring New York City. Now running for City Council in District 2, Sarah brings a bold vision centered on expanding access to healthcare, securing stable housing, and building c...

Episode Title: Michael Lange: Breaking Down What’s Next in NYC Politics Show Description: In this episode of The Perez Notes, we’re joined by Michael Lange—writer, researcher, strategist, and native New Yorker—for a deep dive into the latest developments in New York City politics. Michael brings firsthand experience from inside government and on the campaign trail, having worked in the district of...

Episode Title: Mark Levine: From Classroom to City Hall — A Vision for NYC Comptroller Show Description: In this episode of The Perez Notes, we sit down with Mark Levine—educator, organizer, and seasoned public servant—now running to be New York City’s next Comptroller. With nearly 25 years of experience fighting for more affordable, equitable, and healthy communities, Mark brings a deep understan...

Episode Title: Rooted in Corona: Erycka’s Journey from Local Daughter to City Council Candidate Show Description: In this episode of The Perez Notes, we sit down with Erycka, an Afro-Latina mother, longtime public servant, and proud daughter of Corona, Queens. With over 20 years of government experience and deep roots in the community, Erycka is running for New York City Council District 21—repres...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with City Council District 8 candidate Wilfredo “Wil” López to discuss his inspiring journey from rural Puerto Rico to the frontlines of New York City politics. As the youngest of eight siblings, Wil overcame an undiagnosed learning disability, supported his family through years in retail, and went on to graduate law school with honors. We talk about...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with City Council candidate and current Assemblymember Harvey Epstein (@Harvey4Council) to talk about his vision for the district, key policy priorities, and the future of New York City. We cover housing, public safety, equity, and what drives his campaign. A must-listen for anyone following NYC politics.

In this episode of The Perez Notes, Council Member Keith Powers joins us to discuss his campaign for Manhattan Borough President. We dive into his vision for the office, how he plans to tackle the borough’s most pressing challenges, and what sets him apart from his opponent. Powers shares the motivations behind his run and outlines the leadership style he hopes to bring to the role. A must-listen...

On this episode of The Perez Notes, Liena Zagare—editor of The Bigger Apple and founder of Bklyner—joins us to break down the latest developments in New York City politics. We dive into the week’s key endorsements, who’s up, who’s down, and what it all means for the city’s political landscape. With her deep background in journalism, economics, and urban planning, Zagare brings sharp insight and a...

On this episode of The Perez Notes, we’re joined by Peter Sterne, editor at City & State, where he leads a team covering the ins and outs of New York state politics. Peter brings deep experience from New York Focus, Politico, and the Freedom of the Press Foundation—where he launched the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Together, we break down the week in New York politics, from power plays in Albany to...

The Perez Notes: Vanessa Gibson on Her Reelection Campaign and Record as Bronx Borough President In this episode of The Perez Notes, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joins us for an in-depth conversation about her bid for reelection and her time in office. We dive into her accomplishments since taking the helm, including her work on housing, public safety, economic development, and community...

The Perez Notes: Michael Blake on His Vision for NYC and 2025 Mayoral Run In this episode of The Perez Notes, we’re joined by Michael Blake, former Assembly Member and national political strategist, who’s now officially in the race to become New York City’s next mayor. Blake shares what inspired him to run, the challenges he sees facing the city, and the bold ideas he believes will move NYC forwar...

The Perez Notes: Rafael Salamanca Jr. on His Run for Bronx Borough President In this episode of The Perez Notes, we sit down with Bronx Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., who has officially launched his campaign for Bronx Borough President. Representing the South Bronx since 2016, Salamanca has been a vocal advocate for housing, public health, and community investment. Now, with his City Council...

Episode Title: Breaking Down the Budget & NY Politics with David Lombardo In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with David Lombardo, host of The Capitol Pressroom and veteran New York State government correspondent. We dive into the latest developments in the New York State budget, explore the dynamics of the NYC mayoral race, and take a closer look at the political legacies and strategie...

The Perez Notes: Interview with Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Assembly Member Jennifer Rajkumar to discuss her campaign for New York City Public Advocate. We dive into her vision for the office, the key issues driving her campaign, and how she plans to use the role to advocate for New Yorkers. Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadersh...

In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado to discuss Donald Trump, the state of the Democratic Party, the high-stakes New York City Mayor’s race, and his own political future. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the key issues shaping New York and beyond.

In this episode of The Perez Notes, we sit down with Trip Yang, Founder and CEO of Trip Yang Strategies. With experience on three presidential campaigns—including Obama 2012—and a track record of managing major statewide and citywide races, Trip brings deep insight into political strategy. We discuss the key dynamics shaping the NYC mayor’s race, the comptroller’s race, the public advocate’s race,...

The Perez Notes: Cuomo Enters the Race – What’s Next for NYC? In this must-listen episode of The Perez Notes, we dive into the political earthquake shaking New York City: Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially announced his run for mayor. What does this mean for Mayor Eric Adams—does he fight for re-election or bow out? And how does City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ candidacy reshape the r...

The Perez Notes: Interview with Dana Rubinstein on NYC & NY State Politics In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Dana Rubinstein, who covers New York City politics and government for The New York Times. We dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of NYC politics, including the buzz around former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s potential entry into the mayor’s race, the broader dynamics...

The Perez Notes: A Conversation with Azi Paybarah In this episode of The Perez Notes, we engage with Azi Paybarah, a seasoned political journalist at The Washington Post. With a rich background covering politics for The New York Times, Politico New York, and as a Knight-Wallace Fellow in 2017, Paybarah offers an informed perspective on the current political climate. Our discussion delves into: • P...

The Perez Notes welcomes Katharine Pichardo-Erskine, a trailblazing leader in political organizing and executive leadership. As the President and CEO of Latino Victory, she leverages 25 years of experience to build political power within the Latino community, ensuring their voices shape the nation’s policy and fiscal agenda. Tune in as we discuss her journey, the impact of Latino representation in...

Episode Title: Fighting for Change – A Conversation with Bertha Lewis In this episode of The Perez Notes, we sit down with the legendary activist and community organizer Bertha Lewis. With over 30 years of experience fighting for social justice, Bertha is the former CEO and Chief Organizer of ACORN, a groundbreaking organization that empowered urban communities for more than four decades. Our conv...

The Perez Notes: Interview with Ana María Archila – Working Families Party, Trump, and NYC’s Political Future In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Ana María Archila—attorney, activist, and co-director of the New York Working Families Party—to unpack the current state of New York politics. We dive into the impact of Trump, analyze Mayor Adams’ leadership, and explore the dynamics of...

The Perez Notes: Interview with Ben Smith – Trump, Eric Adams, and the NYC Mayor’s Race In this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with veteran journalist Ben Smith, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor. We dive into the latest political landscape, discussing Donald Trump’s impact, Eric Adams’ tenure as NYC mayor, and the dynamics shaping the next mayoral race. With his deep media and pol...

Episode Title: Brooklyn Politics, Mayor Adams, and the Future of NYC with Antonio Reynoso On this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso for a deep dive into NYC politics. We discuss Mayor Eric Adams’ negotiations with the Department of Justice and what they mean for the upcoming mayoral race. Reynoso also shares his thoughts on the progressive wing...

Episode Title: NYC Politics, Mayor Adams, and the Future of the City with Christina Greer On this episode of The Perez Notes, I sit down with Dr. Christina Greer—political scientist, Fordham professor, author of Black Ethnics, and co-host of the FAQ Podcast—for a deep dive into city and state politics. We break down the DOJ’s investigation into Mayor Eric Adams, its impact on the upcoming NYC mayo...