James Manning Declares NYC Mayoral Run, Promising to Cut Taxes and End Homelessness

James Manning pledges to take on career politicians with a grassroots plan to restore faith, affordability, and fairness in New York City.

NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- James David Manning, a longtime Harlem faith leader and outspoken advocate for working families, today announces his independent campaign for Mayor of New York City as a write-in candidate - vowing to "break the political machine" and deliver tax relief, lower rents, and moral leadership at City Hall.

Manning's journey from walking the cotton fields hand-in-hand with his grandfather — a man born into slavery —to the pulpits of Harlem reflects the resilience of the American and New York story.

Today, James Manning seeks to bring his lifelong mission of service and moral conviction to the families of New York City. His mayoral candidacy focuses on providing economic relief to working families, promoting housing affordability, and a commitment to restoring integrity in city leadership.

Among his key policy proposals:

• 100 Day Plan to Heal NYC
  • Cure homelessness in 100 daysthrough emergency housing and job-placement reform.
• Making Life Affordable Again
  • Abolish the City Sales Tax on Food: Eliminate all sales taxes on meals, groceries, and restaurant purchases to make eating in New York affordable for working families.
  • Freeze and Reform Rent: Enact emergency legislation to stop rent hikes and establish a new affordability index tied to household income — protecting tenants while supporting responsible landlords.
  • Redirect Savings Back to Families: Utilize funds saved from reducing waste, homelessness, and crime to provide direct rebates to New York renters, property owners, and working families.
• Restoring Prosperity and Integrity
  • Eliminate Hotel and City Taxes for Residents: Remove excessive hotel and city taxes on New Yorkers to boost local tourism, energize small businesses, and ease household financial burdens.
  • Restore Public Trust in City Hall: End pay-to-play politics by introducing transparency laws that make every contract, expense, and donation fully viewable to the public in real time.

"I don't take orders from party bosses or donors; I answer to the people of New York City. Faith and fairness will guide my decisions, not political ambition," says Mayoral Candidate James Manning. "I'm not running to manage New York—I'm running to heal it. Together, we'll rebuild trust, make life more affordable, and uplift every borough."

James Manning is a proud patriot and spiritual leader whose life exemplifies the power of perseverance. He believes that real change—whether it's in a person or a city—starts with honesty, compassion, and getting to work.

About James David Manning
James Manning has served as the pastor of Bethelite Community Baptist Church in Harlem for more than 40 years. He holds a degree from Union Theological Seminary and is deeply committed to community uplift, faith-based leadership, and public accountability.

You can learn more about his candidacy here: https://manningformayor.com/

Media Contact:
Marisa Spano
marisa@elkordyglobal.com

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