Wall Street investor and established Democrat Whitney Tilson has announced his candidacy for New York City mayor, challenging incumbent Eric Adams and promising a departure from what he calls the "radical left" agenda. Tilson expressed his concerns about the city's trajectory in an interview with Fox News, criticizing the influence of far-left policies on the city's governance.

Tilson, who identifies as a centrist Democrat and previously called for President Biden to step aside in the 2024 election, voiced his alarm over the escalating crime rates and corruption plaguing New York City. He draws parallels between himself and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whom he considers a model of effective leadership.

Among Tilson's key priorities are a significant reduction in crime, tackling the rising cost of living, enhancing public education, and eliminating corruption in city spending. He also emphasizes prioritizing the needs of citizens and legal residents in the allocation of resources.

The ongoing migrant crisis, which has seen the city allocate billions of dollars to house asylum-seekers in hotels, is a major focus for Tilson. He acknowledged the financial burden this has placed on residents and expressed concerns about the impact of migrant crime. When questioned about New York City's sanctuary city status, Tilson suggested a nuanced approach. While opposing mass deportations, he advocates for greater cooperation with ICE in cases involving serious crimes committed by migrants.

Tilson enters a competitive Democratic primary field that includes former Obama aide Michael Blake, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, and former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, all vying to challenge Mayor Adams in 2025.