In a Bloomberg article on New York City’s mayoral race, education and child care emerged as key tests of how the candidates would address inequality and affordability. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani called for fully universal child care, while also questioning the concentration of mayoral power over public schools. He supports smaller class sizes, stronger community involvement, and greater equity across neighborhoods rather than expanding charter or specialized schools. Mamdani’s opponents, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, favor maintaining mayoral control and expanding selective programs, signaling a more top-down approach. The contrast reflects broader divisions over whether the city’s public education system should prioritize centralized planning or democratic participation and access, and whether schools will serve all children or continue to privilege a narrow, more advantaged segment of students.