Astead Herndon

What is the goal of those type of events?

Sounds like the demystifying efforts are connected to what, you know, has been described as inside out strategy that to the goal of delivering, you feel as if you have to keep the public engaged, you have to keep that public pressure going.

I mean, how does that get harder once you're in office?

Do your point about the way the campaigns and transitions kind of create a sense of unity?

You know, once the inauguration happens, you know, everything becomes Mayor Mamdani's problem.

How do you make sure how do you reverse the trend of public disengaging at that moment?

Yeah.

You know, is there any argument, though, that, like, you know, this is a little glitz and glamour?

I mean, our folks were there.

These were largely supporters of yours.

I want to hear more about, like, did you hear criticism?

Did you hear any critiques of your campaign from some of those New Yorkers you sat down with?

What sat with you that wasn't necessarily something that was already part of your agenda?

I know that you have been a legislator, but not an executive.

And back when I was doing the profile over the summer, I know that you were talking to people about what leadership means, about how to grow as an executive.

I wanted to hear, can you share any of that advice with us?

What steps did you take to close a gap, to feel prepared for stepping into this moment?

And do you?

Mm-hmm.

I know that you previously had said that you wanted a team that did not have policy litmus tests, that you wanted folks with differing opinions.