Voter turnout in the mayoral race between Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa is exceeding expectations, with over 1.7 million ballots cast by the afternoon, surpassing the 2021 election and nearing the levels of 1993. This surge in participation is fueled by a significant early voting turnout, despite a slightly smaller overall electorate. Mamdani, favored by major polls, has galvanized a younger, left-leaning electorate, while Cuomo and Sliwa have attempted to mobilize opposing voters. This election has also seen a shift in voter demographics and party registration, with the Working Families Party experiencing notable growth.
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Two Romanian men have filed lawsuits in California accusing former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor Paul Havsgaard of sexually abusing and trafficking children at a Bucharest shelter he ran. The lawsuits also name Harvest Christian Fellowship’s founder Greg Laurie and other senior church leaders, alleging they failed to prevent the abuse of dozens of children lured to the shelter. The complaints detail severe abuse, including sexual assault and exploitation, and accuse Havsgaard of using church funds and bringing some children back to California to raise money. Harvest Christian Fellowship has denied the allegations, stating the lawsuit is misplaced, and has reported the allegations to law enforcement.
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Two Romanian men have filed lawsuits in California’s U.S. District Court accusing former Riverside megachurch pastor Paul Havsgaard of sexually abusing and trafficking children at a Bucharest shelter he ran for years. The plaintiffs, along with dozens of other children, were allegedly lured by Havsgaard with promises of shelter and education. The lawsuits also name Harvest Christian Fellowship founder Greg Laurie and other church leaders, claiming they failed to prevent the abuse despite reports and red flags. Havsgaard is accused of egregious acts of sexual abuse, including exploitation for sex work, and the church is accused of negligence and providing significant financial support to the alleged abuser.
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The upcoming mayoral election between Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani presents a stark contrast between centrist politics and a more progressive vision. Supporting Cuomo, despite his scandals and problematic policies, would be a vote for the status quo and a continuation of the Democratic Party’s history of political defeats. Mamdani’s candidacy represents a challenge to the centrist establishment and offers a more hopeful path forward, inspiring a movement that could bring about positive change. The author expresses hope for Mamdani’s victory, not only as a rejection of Trumpism and current policies, but also as a statement against the outdated relevance of the centrist Democratic leadership.
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Robert Ehrlich, founder of Pirate’s Booty snacks, launched an unsuccessful mayoral bid in Sea Cliff, New York, losing decisively to incumbent Elena Villafane. Prior to the election, Ehrlich illegally declared himself mayor, attempting to dismiss village staff and seize control of Village Hall, necessitating police intervention. He subsequently rejected the election results, alleging fraud and citing a self-proclaimed “longest election in history,” despite receiving only 62 votes. Ehrlich’s stated grievances included slow service delivery and a lack of business revitalization efforts.
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Following allegations of financial improprieties, links to unsavory figures, and suspected Russian interference including a large-scale TikTok campaign, Romanian authorities canceled the mayoral election in Bucharest. Georgescu, a candidate critical of NATO and admiring of Putin, was subsequently banned from participating in the May rerun. This decision, while seen by some as evidence of establishment collusion, is also viewed by others as a necessary response to foreign interference. Widespread disillusionment with the political establishment, however, complicates the issue.
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John Q. Hosedrinker