Khari Edwards, a longtime community advocate and candidate for Brooklyn Borough President, has officially announced that he is on the ballot for the upcoming election, set to take place on June 24, 2025. The announcement was made on his Instagram page, where he shared a heartfelt message to his supporters:

Edwards stated in his Instagram post, “We have to thank the people who got us there. We’re on our way to Brooklyn Borough Hall.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Khari Edwards (@khariedwardsnyc)

With petitioning now complete, the race for Brooklyn Borough President enters a new phase, and Edwards is ready for the challenge. Backed by grassroots support from across the borough, Edwards has not only secured his place on the ballot but has also received enough support to qualify for matching campaign funds—giving his campaign a strong financial boost heading into the home stretch.

“This is what’s really important. Thanking the people that got you there,” Edwards added, emphasizing the community-driven spirit of his campaign.

Edwards has steadily gained momentum throughout Brooklyn, drawing support from diverse neighborhoods and community leaders who believe in his vision for a more unified and empowered borough. Running under the mantra #BrooklynVested, Edwards has made it clear that his campaign is rooted in a deep commitment to the people and progress of Brooklyn, as posted on his campaign website, KhariEdwards2025.com.

With early voting beginning on June 14, 2025, and Election Day on June 24, 2025, the focus now shifts to voter turnout. Edwards now has to concentrate on mobilizing his broad base of supporters and ensure they head to the polls in what promises to be a competitive and closely watched race.

Content provided through NYC Newswire.

(BREAKING NEWS) FULL VIDEO: Courtesy NYC NEWSWIRE

In a major political development, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced that he will not seek re-election through the Democratic Primary. Instead, he will run as an Independent candidate in the November 2025 General Election. In a video released earlier today, Mayor Adams addressed the public directly, outlining his decision and vision moving forward.

“This is not a decision I made lightly,” Adams said. “I have spent my entire life as a Democrat, but I’ve also spent my entire career putting people over politics. The direction of the party has changed, and I believe New Yorkers deserve leadership that’s focused on results, not rhetoric.”

The mayor cited rising partisanship and a lack of collaboration within the political establishment as core reasons for his decision.

Janice Chen, candidate for Kings County Civil Court, has secured significant endorsements as her campaign gains momentum. Assembly Member Maritza Davila (Assembly District 53), Council Member Crystal Hudson (Council District 35), and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) have all thrown their support behind Chen, underscoring her commitment to fair and accessible justice.

Key Endorsements Strengthen Chen’s Campaign

Assembly Member Maritza Davila, Council Member Crystal Hudson, and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) have endorsed Chen, highlighting her legal expertise and dedication to fairness in the judicial system.

A Proven Advocate for Justice

With a legal career focused on elder law, civil litigation, and community advocacy, Chen has built a reputation as a strong proponent of accessible legal resources and fair judicial proceedings. Her campaign continues to gain traction as more leaders and organizations recognize her ability to uphold the integrity of Brooklyn’s judicial system.

“I am grateful for the support of leaders and organizations that share my commitment to fairness and justice,” said Janice Chen. “These endorsements reinforce the importance of having judges who understand the diverse needs of Brooklyn residents and who will serve with integrity, impartiality, and respect for the law.”

Engaging Voters and Moving Forward

As election season progresses, Chen remains dedicated to engaging with voters across Brooklyn. She continues to discuss the critical role of the civil court and share her vision for ensuring equal access to justice for all.

For more information on Janice Chen’s campaign, visit www.janicechenforcivilcourt.com.

OpEd by Khari Edwards, Candidate for Brooklyn Brough President –

Courtesy KHARI EDWARDS NEWSROOM

New York City has long been an expensive place to live, but in recent years, affordability has gone from a challenge to a crisis. Rents are still too damn high and continue to soar, grocery prices feel like mortgage payments, and wages have not kept pace. Now, to make matters worse, Con Edison and National Grid are proposing rate hikes that will further squeeze working families, low-income households, and an already shrinking middle class.

Energy is a necessity, not a luxury. Heat, electricity, and gas are essential to modern life, and yet, the corporations that control these utilities operate as if they are selling a premium service rather than a basic human need. These proposed increases, which could add hundreds of dollars to monthly bills, are nothing short of an economic stranglehold on Brooklynites and New Yorkers already struggling to stay afloat.

LIC Con Edison Facility / Shutterstock

The justification? A mix of corporate double-talk and backwards logic. The utilities argue that these hikes are necessary to maintain and upgrade infrastructure and to invest in renewable energy projects.

But let’s be clear—these companies are not hurting for cash. Con Edison reported $1.68 billion in net income in 2023, and National Grid’s U.S. operations remain highly profitable. So why should New Yorkers foot the bill when executives continue to collect massive salaries and shareholder dividends?

Transitioning to renewable energy, particularly solar power, is essential for a sustainable future. Solar energy offers numerous benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, and providing long-term cost savings for consumers. Even if you are not a climate justice advocate, these hikes will affect everyone negatively.

However, Con Edison cites investments in renewable energy infrastructure as one of the reasons for the proposed rate hikes, although less than a million homes are using renewable energy

While developing green energy projects is crucial, the financial burden should not fall disproportionately on consumers, especially when these companies continue to post substantial profits. It’s imperative that the transition to renewable energy is managed in a way that is equitable and does not exacerbate existing economic disparities.

This is not just a pocketbook issue; it is a moral issue. A city where people cannot afford basic utilities is a city on the brink of collapse. If energy costs become more burdensome, families will have to make impossible choices—cutting back on food, medicine, or even rent to keep the lights and heat on.

Governor Hochul has rightly taken a stance against these rate hikes, recognizing the catastrophic impact they would have.

But she alone cannot stop them. The Public Service Commission, which oversees utility rates, must reject these proposed increases outright. Furthermore, we need systemic changes to how utilities operate in New York. Public ownership of utilities, stricter regulation, and price caps must all be on the table.

New Yorkers should not be forced to bear the financial burden of corporate greed. These utility hikes are another example of big business tightening its grip on working people’s necks and wallets, all while the federal government rolls back protections meant to keep society fair and just.

It is time to put political views aside and focus on what’s right and fight against our regulatory agencies, and the corporations that hold our most essential services hostage. The cost-of-living crisis in Brooklyn will only deepen if we do not push back against these predatory price hikes. We must act now—before we reach a point where the simple act of keeping the lights on becomes a luxury, rather than a basic right.

Khari Edwards is a 2025 candidate for Brooklyn Boro President. You can find out more about him at KhariEdwards2025.com. You can also find his updated news on his newsroom, at KhariEdwardsNewsroom.com

by Martin G. 2 family homeowner from Canarsie

In the never-ending battle between the powerful and the powerless, New York City’s small homeowners have found themselves in the crosshairs. The billion-dollar hotel lobbyists are spending massive resources to convince the public that small one- and two-family homeowners are to blame for the city’s affordable housing crisis. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The real problem lies with luxury developers who build massive apartment towers, offering only a handful of affordable units, and the relentless influence of corporate hotel interests.

But the hotel lobbyists aren’t alone in their fight against small homeowners. Comptroller Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate, has shockingly chosen to stand with these billion-dollar entities instead of advocating for hardworking homeowners. His stance actively harms small property owners, many of whom are seniors and people of color, who rely on short-term rental income just to survive in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

I just watched Lander standing with the billion dollar hotel industry on television trying to convince City Council members and New Yorkers that small 1 and 2 family homeowners are causing lack of housing in New York.  That is insane!  He did not mention billion dollar developers who are getting tax breaks to build luxury unaffordable apartments all over the city. Instead he focuses on 1 and 2 family homeowners? That’s a sickness.

At the heart of this issue is NYC Bill 1107 (Introduced by City Council Member Farah Louis) a critical piece of legislation aimed at fixing the damage caused by Local Law Bill 18, a law that essentially criminalized small homeowners who used short-term rental platforms to make ends meet. Louis originally voted for Local Law 18 but realized later than the law was hurting small 1 and 2 family homeowners, which prompted her to do the right thing for her constituents who were suffering. While Bill 18 was designed for target large-scale operators who illegally converted multiple units into unregulated hotels, it unintentionally devastated small homeowners. These are people who rent out a room in their home or the apartment upstairs to help pay the mortgage, cover property taxes, or afford skyrocketing utility bills.

I know this because I am one of those homeowners. I own a two-family home and was managing to scrape by with the help of short-term rental income until Bill 18 made it almost impossible. Now, I live in constant fear. I once rented to a long-term tenant who stopped paying rent for six months. The legal process to remove them was a nightmare, and I nearly lost my home. Short-term rentals were my only way to keep my head above water.

For families like mine, Bill 1107 represents hope. It’s a chance to restore fairness by distinguishing between small homeowners and commercial operators. It acknowledges that allowing homeowners to rent out their properties responsibly is not the problem—it’s the solution. Without it, more black and brown homeowners like me will be forced to sell their homes, leading to further gentrification and displacement in neighborhoods that have been culturally and historically significant for generations.

The billion dollar hotel lobbyists’ argument that short-term rentals are a leading cause of the housing crisis is as dishonest as it is self-serving. The true culprits are the massive developers building “affordable” housing that is anything but. These developers pour money into luxury buildings where only a token percentage of units are set aside as affordable. Meanwhile, the hotel industry seeks to monopolize the market by crushing the little guy—homeowners who are just trying to make it through the month. The hotels want to make more money, as they already charge upwards of $500 per night for crappy hotel rooms. They need to take care of their hotels and they won’t have to worry about the small homeowners who are renting their extra room or apartment to make ends meet.

What makes this even more tragic is Brad Lander’s alignment with these billion-dollar entities. By opposing Bill 1107, Lander is actively hurting the very homeowners who make up the backbone of this city. It’s a betrayal of the black and brown homeowners who have fought tooth and nail to preserve their homes amidst rising property taxes, utility bills, and the ever-present threat of gentrification. Instead of championing the people who have worked so hard to hold on to their properties, Lander is siding with corporate greed.

Small homeowners are not the enemy. We are retirees, single parents, first-generation immigrants, and families trying to hold onto our piece of the American dream. We are the people who make New York the vibrant, diverse city it is. For us, Bill 1107 is not just about short-term rentals; it’s about survival.

The City Council and Mayor Eric Adams must pass Bill 1107 to fix the harm caused by Bill 18. If they fail, it will be a win for billion-dollar corporations and a loss for New York’s working families. It’s time to stop scapegoating small homeowners and start holding the real culprits accountable—luxury developers and the corporate hotel lobbyists.

New York City’s future depends on protecting its people, not just its profits. Let’s make sure that future includes us. I am going to make sure to list all of the politicians who are standing against homeowners and instead standing with the billion dollar hotel industry.  Long time New Yorkers continue to get hit over the head by politicians and billionaires.  When is it going to stop?

RELATED ARTICLES

Lawmakers Introduce Bill INT 1107 To Revive Airbnb Short-Term Rentals In NYC, Easing Tough Restrictions For Homeowners

See The List Of NYC Lawmakers Who Waged War On Homeowners In Favor Of Hotel Lobbyists

Supporting Small Businesses and Reviving Brooklyn Tourism

As Borough President, I will seize this opportunity to tap into our small businesses and further expand King County’s tourism industry. By supporting these businesses, we can increase the vibrancy of our local economy while creating new jobs and opportunities.

Additionally, I will push the new City Comptroller to truly utilize Economically Targeted Investments (ETIs) for small businesses — traditional and digital. These investments are essential tools for driving economic development and ensuring that Brooklyn’s entrepreneurs have the resources they need to succeed.

News Distributed by NYC NEWSWIRE

OpEd Originally published by BrooklynBuzz.com

By Samantha from Bed Stuy born and raised

Let me start by saying I wasn’t a supporter of Eric Adams. But watching how these other politicians are acting and what they’re saying has changed my perspective. I heard Brad Lander suggested that Adams should publicly say he wouldn’t accept a pardon. Honestly, who would even say something as stupid as that? It’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. At that moment, it was clear to me that Lander is pushing his personal agenda to try to become mayor, and he’s being disingenuous.  Joe Biden allowed the media to pressure him into saying he wouldn’t pardon his son but then he went and pardoned him.  Biden should have said damn right I’m gonna pardon my son because he should have, The media and traditional politicians are evil people.  Meanwhile, I respect that Adams is staying focused and continuing to do his job through all of the media and politicians trying to hang him. They’re only making people like me now wanting to see him win.

New York City is staring down serious challenges—from a lack of affordable housing to public safety concerns and aging infrastructure. In times like these, bringing in federal resources shouldn’t be a political debate; it’s a necessity. Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to meet with President Donald Trump is a practical move to secure support for the city, yet some critics are quick to twist it into a political issue. That criticism isn’t just unfair—it’s harmful to New York’s future.

Let’s be honest: like it or not, Donald Trump is the President of the United States for the next four years. That role holds the power to direct federal funding and resources—things this city badly needs. Mayor Adams understands that. His meeting wasn’t about political alliances or making headlines. It was about doing his job: fighting for New York. Anyone framing it differently is exposing their own political agenda, not the mayor’s.

Take City Comptroller Brad Lander, for example. He’s been loud in his disapproval, but his criticism raises a real concern: if he were mayor, would his personal dislike for Trump stop him from advocating for New York at the federal level? His comments suggest it might. And that should worry every New Yorker. Being mayor isn’t about personal feelings—it’s about getting results.

By attacking Adams for engaging with the federal government, Lander shows he’s willing to let political grudges get in the way of serving 8.5 million people. Refusing to work with Washington doesn’t hurt Trump—it hurts New Yorkers. It stalls affordable housing, slows transit improvements, blocks emergency aid, and delays infrastructure upgrades. That’s not leadership—that’s failure.

Mayor Adams handled the meeting the right way. No media circus, no grandstanding—just a focused conversation on what this city needs. Lander’s criticism, on the other hand, signals a different kind of leadership: one that prioritizes politics over solutions. That should concern anyone who wants to see New York move forward.

You don’t have to support President Trump to understand that working with the federal government is critical for this city. Mayors before Adams knew that, and it’s a principle that’s bigger than party politics. This isn’t about endorsing a president—it’s about standing up for New Yorkers.

What this city needs are leaders who can put politics aside and fight for the resources we need. Mayor Adams is doing that. His critics? They’re showing us they might not.

New Yorkers should be questioning the critics not the mayor.

Here’s Mayor Adams’ official statement about his meeting with Trump.

“President Trump and I had a productive conversation about New York’s needs and what’s best for our city, and how the federal government can play a more helpful role in improving the lives of New Yorkers. While we briefly touched on a number of issues, we specifically focused on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and how it will have a positive impact on public safety in our country; how we can bring manufacturing jobs back to New York, particularly in the Bronx; and how we can continue to make federal investments in New York City, especially when it comes to infrastructure. 

“To be clear, we did not discuss my legal case, and those who suggest the mayor of the largest city in the nation shouldn’t meet with the incoming president to discuss our city’s priorities because of inaccurate speculation or because we’re from different parties clearly care more about politics than people. Like I’ve always done, I will take every opportunity possible to advocate for New Yorkers and our city, and after our discussion, I strongly believe there is much our city and the federal government can partner on to make New York City safer, stronger, and more affordable. I thank President Trump for his time and attention and look forward to working with him to benefit all New Yorkers.”