YouTube video

Taya Graham and Stephen Janis speak with voters in Harlem just 24 hours before the NYC mayoral election about what issues are important to them, what they think of the frontrunner candidate Zohran Mamdani, what they think of his opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and what they want the mayor to do for them.

Credits:

  • Pre-Production: Taya Graham/Stephen Janis
  • Post-Production: Cameron Granadino
Transcript

The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible.

Taya Graham:

This is Taya Graham and Stephen Janis in Harlem, New York. It’s just 24 hours before the final vote for the New York Mayor’s race. So we came to this bustling neighborhood to ask voters what issues were important to them, what they thought of the front runner, Zohran Mamdani, what they thought of his opponent, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and what they wanted the mayor to do for them. But let’s take a listen to the voters themselves. Mamdani is the front runner against former Governor Cuomo. Which one do you hope becomes Mayor of New York?

James B Cray:

Mayor Mamdani.

Taya Graham:

Wow. And now why do you choose Mamdani?

James B Cray:

Well, Mamdani speaking about a lot of things that really address the people such as housing, the transportation issues. I think he’s more at the forefront of what a lot of young people want to hear about. We’ve had FOMO and Bloombergs and the cycle just keeps on going on without a lot of our issues being addressed.

Taya Graham:

What do you think about the leading candidates?

“Vincent”:

It’s time for a change and time for new blood.

Taya Graham:

Wow. I’m impressed to hear that. Now when you say it’s time for a change, time for new blood, I assume you’re referring to someone Mamdani. Yes. People that care about people, it’s important.

“Vincent”:

So what are some of the things that you like that Mamdani represents? That he wants to do things for people that are working class and that are trying to get by and make a living and put food on the table and get to work.

Taya Graham:

Now I have to say I watch C-N-N-M-S-N-B-C other channels, and it seems like there’s been a little bit of a narrative that there’s no way someone who has socialists next to them could possibly be an effective leader. What do you think of some of that mainstream media hype?

“Vincent”:

It’s interesting because our democracy used to be about helping people and supporting the working people. And we’ve gone away from that. It’s all about corporations and giving tax breaks to the wealthy thinking this is time that we need to let somebody that represents working class people a chance at the table think

“Richard”:

Or Mamdani’s going to win. Well, because he’s young, first of all, and he’s a new face. You understand what I’m saying? And a lot of people can’t like him. So this is my opinion why I feel as though that he’s going to win. Now, governor Cuomo and the other guy, they see what they can do already. A lot of people say, Cuomo messed up this and that and that and this. There’s no negativity about Mamdani that I really know of.

“Kimberly”:

This is how I see it at this point. Who’s ever the best for the job? Because a lot of times there’s been a lot of mayors that we thought was the best for the job. We wind up getting a short end of the stick, so time will tell.

Taya Graham:

That’s, let me ask you, what do you think are some of the most important issues? If you could talk to the next mayor, what would you want them to focus on? Housing, food, the subway. And former Governor Cuomo. You’re not inspired by those choices?

Pastor Dave:

Not really. Not in particular. We had a lot of issues with Cuomo in the last couple years when he left office. And then with Mamdani, now he’s coming with a certain agenda that is not too American or Patriot. And so it’s another just social program, socialist program, and we’re not really interested in that. We, one thing that would really empower people to not have them more dependable on government and its system. So we’re not really, I’m not too big of a fan of him because of that.

Taya Graham:

Just help me understand a little bit. You told me you went out and voted today. What was your primary earlier? I voted earlier. So

Speaker 7:

What was your motivator when you went out? I had to do my duty and vote and I will always vote and I knew I didn’t want two of the choices. I knew who I was voting for and hopefully Momani will be

Taya Graham:

The new mayor. Let me ask this. What was it that inspired you about you choose him over the other candidate?

Speaker 7:

He’s just something different. I’m worried about the experience and hopefully that he’ll have enough help and whatever, but I mean, we just need something new.

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Senior Investigative Reporter & Capitol Hill Correspondent

Taya Graham is an award-winning investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, and Capitol Hill Correspondent whose work bridges rigorous reporting with deep community impact. As the host of The Police Accountability Report at The Real News Network, she has become a trusted voice for transparency in policing and governance, using a mix of field reporting, data analysis, and citizen storytelling to expose systemic injustices. The show has garnered more than 50 million views across platforms, drawing a national audience to issues of accountability and reform.

Her work spans platforms and audiences, from producing Truth and Reconciliation, the acclaimed WYPR podcast exploring race and justice, to co-directing the award-winning documentaries The Friendliest Town and Tax Broke. Her five-year investigation into Baltimore’s tax incentive system (TIFs and PILOTs) revealed how corporate subsidies perpetuate inequality, sparking legislative action and community advocacy.

In addition to her reporting, Taya played a key role in shaping The Real News Network’s internal policies and labor framework, including helping draft the language around the organization’s AI policy in its collective bargaining agreement. Her work ensured that innovation and worker protections coexist, setting a model for how newsrooms can adopt technology responsibly.

Taya’s career began at The Afro-American Newspaper and Historic Black University Morgan State Radio, where she honed her craft in public service storytelling. She continues to lead with the belief that journalism should not only inform but empower—meeting new audiences where they are and inspiring them to engage in the democratic process.

Senior Investigative Reporter & Capitol Hill Correspondent
Stephen Janis is an award-winning investigative journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker whose work has shaped accountability journalism in Baltimore and beyond. As a Capitol Hill Correspondent and senior reporter at The Real News Network, he continues to uncover the systems behind inequality, corruption, and power while turning complex investigations into stories that inspire reform and public engagement.

His first feature documentary, The Friendliest Town, was distributed by Gravitas Ventures and received an Award of Distinction from The Impact Doc Film Festival and a Humanitarian Award from The Indie Film Fest. He co-created and co-hosts The Police Accountability Report, which has reached more than fifty million viewers on YouTube and helped spark national conversations on policing and transparency. His work has also appeared on Unsolved Mysteries (Netflix), Dead of Night (Investigation Discovery), Relentless (NBC), and Sins of the City (TV One).

Stephen has co-authored several books on policing, corruption, and the roots of violence, including Why Do We Kill: The Pathology of Murder in Baltimore and You Can’t Stop Murder: Truths About Policing in Baltimore and Beyond. He also co-hosts the true crime podcast Land of the Unsolved, which investigates cold cases through a lens of justice and accountability.

Before joining The Real News Network, Stephen worked as an investigative producer for WBFF Fox 45, where his reporting earned three Capital Emmys. Known for embracing technology as a tool for social awareness, he uses data analysis, digital production, and emerging storytelling platforms to connect investigative journalism with younger audiences while maintaining its integrity and depth.

Stephen’s work is grounded in clarity, empathy, and a belief that journalism should not only expose the truth but empower people to act on it.