Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang has filed the necessary paperwork to enter next year’s race for New York City Mayor, according to NBC New York. The former tech entrepreneur made headlines during his run for president when he called for universal basic income of $1,000 a month for Americans over the age of 18.
His supporters during his presidential bid, known as the “Yang Gang,” played a major role, as was able to raise $40 million during his campaign, according to CNN. Yang was also known for his MATH slogan: Make America Think Harder.
New York’s Campaign Finance Board confirmed Yang’s entrance into that city’s mayoral contest. However, Chris Coffey, Yang’s political consultant, called Yang’s filing more “procedural” and not necessarily “official,” according to New York Daily News.
“We aren’t accepting donations,” Coffey said. “No status change.”
However, Yang already has a leg up compared to the more than 35 candidates in the crowded race. Education Reform Now Advocacy conducted a recent survey showing that Yang is ahead of all the other candidates with 17 percent of those polled saying they would vote for him.
The Democrat has lived in New York for 25 years. However, when his presidential campaign ended, he said then that he would not run for mayor. Yang also later founded a nonprofit.
He is not expected to start his campaign until after January’s two Senate runoffs in Georgia are over. New York City is scheduled to have its primary election on June 22 of next year.
