Andrew Yang has reportedly been caught filming the announcement of his mayoral run in New York City.
Reports of the former Democratic presidential candidate vying for the Big Apple’s highest office first made rounds in mid-December, but an official statement is yet to be made.
If Yang pushes through, he will be the second Asian American candidate to run for the post, following New York State Sen. John Liu in 2013.
“I’m Andrew Yang and I’m running for mayor of New York City,” Yang said in front of a camera crew at Coney Island, according to journalist Andy Isaacson. “Can you dig it? Can you diiiiig iiiiit?”
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Days before Christmas, Yang filed paperwork with the city’s Campaign Finance Board, indicating that he has formed a mayoral campaign committee. The move was confirmed by both the board and a Yang campaign source, according to ABC7 New York.
While the filing does not confirm an election bid, it allows Yang to start raising money for a possible candidacy. Supporters expect him to make an announcement after the U.S. Senate runoff in Georgia, where he temporarily relocated to support Democratic candidates.
Dozens have already registered to run for NYC’s mayor. J.P. Morgan executive Arthur Chang, who previously led the Campaign Finance Board’s voter outreach program, is also eyeing the post.
A Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey released before Yang’s filing shows that he has a slight lead over fellow party members. That’s 17% support in a Democratic primary — a one-point lead over Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, according to CNBC.
Born in Schenectady, New York to immigrants from Taiwan, Yang built his 2020 presidential campaign on a promise of $1,000 a month to every American adult. He is currently focused on his nonprofit Humanity Forward.
NYC’s primary election is scheduled for June 22, 2021.
Feature Images via Andrew Yang (right) and Andy Isaacson (left; screenshot)
