The final tally from last month's New York City mayoral election has revealed a surprising trend among a minority of voters: a penchant for drafting local sports heroes into political office. Official data released on Tuesday showed that while Zohran Mamdani cruised to victory, replacing Eric Adams in City Hall after defeating Andrew Cuomo, a host of New York's sporting elite received write-in votes.
From the Court to the Ballot: Athletes as Write-In Candidates
The detailed breakdown of voter choices contained several unexpected names. Jalen Brunson, the star guard for the New York Knicks, emerged as the most popular sporting write-in candidate, securing an impressive 29 votes. He was closely followed by Yankees sensation Aaron Judge, who received 11 votes from the electorate.
The sporting contingent on the ballot was not limited to current players. Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart earned six votes, while former Mets first baseman Pete Alonso received three. Yankees legend Derek Jeter was afforded a single vote, cementing his iconic status in yet another field.
A Broad Roster of Sporting Talent
The list of athletes who found favour with voters extended well beyond these headline names. Other current professionals to receive votes included Cam Skattebo (Giants), Cam Schlittler (Yankees), Garrett Wilson (Jets), and Josh Hart (Knicks). The coaching fraternity was also represented, with current Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau receiving mentions.
Historical sports figures also made their mark. Basketball greats Carmelo Anthony and Walt Frazier, alongside baseball Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, all earned votes. Even MLB commissioner and New York native Rob Manfred received a single vote.
Out-of-Town Favourites and Political Also-Rans
Interestingly, the write-in enthusiasm was not exclusively reserved for New York-based stars. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley appeared together on one ballot, while New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also received a vote.
In a telling comparison, the sporting figures largely outperformed some national political heavyweights. Former President Joe Biden was written in twice, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received just one vote.
Ultimately, however, this groundswell of support for athletic candidates proved symbolic. Zohran Mamdani's victory was decisive, rendering the sporting votes a fascinating footnote in the election's history. The results provide a unique glimpse into the minds of a segment of New York voters, who chose to champion their sporting idols in the political arena, if only on paper.
