Candidates looking to unseat Mayor Eric Adams were in Bedford Park on Thursday for a mayor forum.
Six Democratic hopefuls sat on a panel at Lehman College to give their elevator pitch as to why they should be the next mayor of New York City.
“Our children have a future, and I think the next mayor has to be somebody who is not afraid to stand up and say when things are wrong," said Scott Stringer, a former comptroller.
Topics of conversation included affordable housing, shelters, public safety and the mental health crisis.
“Fully funding right to counsel, expanding it to homeowners, revitalizing NYCHA, putting money into permanent housing and not just building shelters," said Zellnor Myrie, who represents the 20th state Senate District.
"If we don't take action, we are going to lose the city that we say we love," said Zohran Mamdani, who currently represents the 36th District of the New York State Assembly.
This week's ICE raids in the Bronx were also top of mind.
"The city is not delivering on safety, they’re not delivering for New Yorkers, when ice comes, I will put my own body on the line to uphold sanctuary city laws,” said Brad Lander, the current NYC comptroller.
“We want sustainable solutions, and we need a reversal of what governor Cuomo did in closing our mental health institutions,” said Jessica Ramos, who is the chair of Committee on Labor.
"We are here because too often the Bronx is being asked to sit on the sidelines, and we don't deserve that any longer," said Michael Blake.
Mayor Adams was not present at the forum. The primary election will be held on June 24.