Steve Kornacki: Breaking down the numbers in politics and elections

Steve Kornacki, chief data analyst for NBC News and NBC Sports, has been a household name — and an unintentional fashion icon — when it comes to election nights, particularly during the 2020 presidential election, when his round-the-clock analysis at the big board became must-see TV. He is a regular on “Meet the Press” and “NBC Nightly News,” while also bringing his signature data-driven approach to NBC Sports’ coverage of the National Football League, March Madness, the Kentucky Derby and the Olympics. He joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss his career and the intricacies of working with polling data, including concerns over accuracy. He also weighed in on the mayoral race in New York City, the differences in polling data between national and local elections and how the word socialism means something different today than it did decades ago. 

Kathy Wylde, the outgoing president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, has been a central figure in the city’s business community and the city’s political scene for decades. Wylde has served as an advocate for the city’s business sector, and she joined Errol Louis to discuss her nonprofit’s mission, New York’s fiscal outlook and the policies shaping the heated mayoral race. That includes property taxes, immigration and the need for affordable child care. Wylde also made the case for why the business community is imperative in addressing the issues that New Yorkers care about.

This week, independent candidate Jim Walden announced he was dropping out of the race for mayor. He said his decision was necessary because he does not want Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani to win the general election. Walden had entered the race as an attorney with experience as a federal prosecutor and a white-collar defense lawyer. He focused on policies such as increasing the police force and constructing affordable housing. He joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss the decision to end his candidacy and why he feels Mamdani is a significant threat to New York City. Walden expressed strong concerns about Mamdani’s anti-police stance, socialist/communist leanings, and what he perceives as antisemitic policies. The discussion also touched on rumors of political maneuvering, including the possibility of the White House offering positions to other candidates to influence the race.

Ruth Messinger needs no introduction to those who follow New York politics. Beginning in the 1970s, she built a more than 20–year career in public service, serving a decade on the New York City Council before becoming Manhattan borough president for eight years. In 1997, she made history as the first woman to win the Democratic nomination for mayor, defeating the Rev. Al Sharpton in a hard-fought primary. Beyond city politics, Messinger went on to lead the American Jewish World Service for nearly two decades and now serves as its inaugural Global Ambassador. Recently, Messinger has stepped back into the political arena, voicing her support for Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani — a striking move at a time when many veteran New York Democrats have held back.  She joined NY1’s Errol Louis to reflect on her long career of activism and public service, explain why she believes Mamdani’s election is essential despite hesitation in parts of the Jewish community, and share her hopes for a New York City where she thinks working-class people can once again thrive.

A new book titled “Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City, 1986-1990” covers New York City’s pivotal and transformative years in the 1980s, tracing notable figures such as Donald Trump, Al Sharpton, Curtis Sliwa and Rudy Giuliani. The author, Jonathan Mahler, is a New York Times Magazine staff writer. He previously wrote the critically acclaimed bestseller “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning,” an account of 1977 in the city. Mahler joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss the new book, focusing on the economic boom driven by Wall Street, the rise of homelessness and key struggles like the fiscal crisis and the crack epidemic. They also discussed how it all relates to the present day, the race for mayor and Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.

At just 22 years old, Katrina Brownlee was shot 10 times by her fiancé and left for dead. She miraculously survived and became a decorated NYPD detective, a mentor and the founder of a nonprofit support group for at-risk women. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve on the protective detail of a New York City mayor. Brownlee’s powerful memoir, “And Then Came The Blues,” recounts her harrowing journey from trauma to triumph. She joined NY1’s Errol Louis to share how she survived the shooting, rose through the NYPD ranks and broke barriers in law enforcement. The conversation explored her challenging childhood marked by abuse, her motivations for joining the police force, and her work with Young Ladies of Our Future, the group she founded to mentor and guide at-risk youth.

Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, is making another attempt at running for mayor as the Republican nominee. With millions in matching funds and competitive polling numbers, Sliwa joined NY1’s Errol Louis to talk about his campaign and his potential path to victory. He discussed a range of issues, including animal welfare, public safety, homelessness and transportation. He emphasized his commitment to no-kill animal shelters and increasing the number of police officers on city streets if elected this November. Sliwa also talked about his trademark red beret and the role it plays in shaping his public persona. The conversation explored his unique background, decades of work with the Guardian Angels and his long-standing presence in New York City’s media world — particularly in talk radio.

It’s been over a month since Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani stunned the city with his victory in the Democratic mayoral primary, a result that has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Among the most forceful responses came from longtime Democratic strategist Dr. Hank Sheinkopf, who warned, “If Mamdani is elected mayor, Jewish New York is finished. It’s only a question of when the lights get turned out.” Sheinkopf joined NY1’s Errol Louis to unpack his stark assessment and share his deep concerns about the city’s direction. Their wide-ranging conversation covered the strategy behind Mamdani’s campaign, the influence of new voters and shifting demographics, and how national and international tensions - particularly around Israel - are reshaping local politics. Sheinkopf also reflected on New York’s civic culture, its complicated history and his call for a return to pragmatic, centrist leadership in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

This year’s New York City mayoral primary delivered twists, upsets and a surprise victory that’s redrawing the city’s political landscape. To unpack the moment, seasoned strategist and key adviser Rebecca Katz joined NY1’s Errol Louis for a wide-ranging conversation on strategy, authenticity and what it takes to win. Katz, whose track record includes advising Sens. John Fetterman and Ruben Gallego and former Mayor Bill de Blasio, reflects on the lessons of this campaign cycle and the unexpected rise of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor. She broke down how issue-driven, community-rooted messaging continues to resonate with voters, drawing parallels to de Blasio’s 2013 run. The conversation also explored the evolving tools of modern politics, including the need for Democrats to embrace social media, the underrated power of “fun” in campaigns and why showing up consistently for communities still matters more than ever.

During an interview with NY1, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee, shot back at rival Andrew Cuomo, questioning the former governor's interest to "help working people." When asked where he stands on the phrase “globalize the intifada,” Mamdani said the distance between what some intend and what others hear is “a bridge that is too far,” and it is why he now discourages its use. Mamdani also discussed his recent visit to the nation’s capital and how his campaign has started a discourse on a potential strategy shift for the Democrats, saying much of it has to do with engaging young people. He also shared his stance on city-specific issues, such as mayoral control of schools and the NYPD, saying he would continue to appoint the school’s chancellor and sustain the current head count of the police department.