Honestly, if you ask the average person on the subway what a Borough President actually does, you’ll probably get a blank stare or a guess about "cutting ribbons." It’s one of those weird, vestigial parts of New York City government that feels like it shouldn't matter as much as it does. But when the Manhattan borough president election rolls around, the political heavyweights start moving.
Why? Because even though the "Beep" (as insiders call the BP) doesn't pass laws like the City Council or control the NYPD like the Mayor, they are the ultimate gatekeeper for land use. In a borough where every square inch of dirt is worth a fortune, that’s real power.
The 2025 Shake-up
The most recent cycle was a bit of a wild ride. Usually, incumbents cruise. But Mark Levine decided to vacate the seat to run for City Comptroller (which he won, by the way). That left a massive power vacuum.
For a while, it felt like the West Side vs. the East Side. On one hand, you had Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a State Senator who’s basically been a fixture in Albany for a decade. On the other, Keith Powers, a City Council member from StuyTown who’s known for being a policy wonk on housing. Throw in Dr. Calvin Sun, an ER doc who became a bit of a local hero during the pandemic, and you had a real race on your hands.
Hoylman-Sigal eventually pulled it off, making history as the first openly gay person elected to a borough-wide office in NYC. He grabbed over 80% of the vote in the general against Republican Seson Adams.
What most people get wrong about the Beep
People think the Borough President is just a "cheerleader." That's a mistake.
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Here is what they actually handle:
- The Land Use Hammer: They don't have a final "no," but they have a formal say in the ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure). If a developer wants to build a giant tower, they have to go through the BP. A negative recommendation from the BP can often kill a project before it even hits the City Council.
- The Checkbook: They control a capital budget. We’re talking millions of dollars for local parks, schools, and hospitals. It’s "street-level" money that fixes the things people actually see every day.
- Community Board Gatekeeping: They appoint every single person on Manhattan’s 12 Community Boards. If you’ve ever wondered why your local board is obsessed with bike lanes or outdoor dining, look at who the BP appointed.
The Brad Hoylman-Sigal Era
So, what does the Manhattan borough president election of 2025 mean for the next four years? Brad ran on a platform that was basically "Progressive but Practical."
He’s been very vocal about the housing crisis. You’ll likely see him pushing for more office-to-residential conversions in Midtown—which is a huge deal now that remote work has left a lot of those buildings half-empty. He’s also big on "Trump-proofing" the city, a phrase that popped up constantly during the campaign. Basically, using the borough's resources to protect civil liberties if things get hairy at the federal level.
Why it was a landslide
Manhattan is a Democratic fortress. The real "election" happened in the June primary.
Hoylman-Sigal had the name recognition and the "Albany muscle." He’s sponsored over 350 bills in the State Senate. When you have that kind of legislative resume, it’s hard for a newcomer—even a popular one like Keith Powers—to break through the institutional support. Hoylman-Sigal snagged endorsements from heavy hitters like Jerry Nadler and Gale Brewer (the former BP herself).
In the primary, the breakdown was roughly:
- Brad Hoylman-Sigal: ~48%
- Keith Powers: ~38%
- Calvin Sun: ~12%
Because of Ranked Choice Voting, it took a few rounds to finalize, but the momentum was always with Brad. By the time the general election hit in November, it was a foregone conclusion. He beat Seson Adams by a massive margin—385,000 votes to 81,000.
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The Republican "Surge" That Wasn't
Every few years, people talk about a Republican resurgence in Manhattan. It happened a bit in the outer boroughs recently, but Manhattan remains a different beast. Seson Adams tried to run on a "quality of life" and "public safety" platform, but it just didn't stick. In a borough where the Democratic-to-Republican registration ratio is nearly 8-to-1, the GOP candidate is usually just a protest vote.
What should you do now?
If you live in Manhattan, the election might be over, but your interaction with the BP's office is just beginning.
Apply for a Community Board. Applications usually open in the winter. If you hate how your neighborhood is changing—or love it and want more—this is where it happens. Brad’s office will be reviewing these applications right now.
Watch the ULURP calendar. If there’s a new development going up on your block, the Borough President will hold a public hearing. Go to it. They actually listen to the testimony because it gives them political cover to negotiate with developers for things like more affordable units or a new playground.
Check the Capital Funding. If your local school needs new laptops or a park needs a new fence, your group can apply for funding through the BP’s office. It’s your tax money; you might as well see it spent on your street.
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The Manhattan borough president election isn't just a popularity contest for career politicians. It’s the mechanism that decides if your neighborhood gets a new skyscraper or a new park. Brad Hoylman-Sigal is in the driver’s seat until 2029, so keep an eye on his office's land-use recommendations—that's where the real story will be.
Next Steps for You:
Check the official Manhattan Borough President website to find your specific Community Board. Each board has its own monthly meeting schedule where local issues like liquor licenses and zoning are actually debated. If you want to see how the 2025 election results are translating into policy, sign up for their newsletter—it's surprisingly detailed regarding upcoming construction projects and city budget allocations.