Raymond J. McGuire is running for New York mayor and has been endorsed by three of hip-hop’s biggest names– Jay-Z, Diddy and Nas.
McGuire is one of the highest-ranking and longest-serving Black executives on Wall Street and raised more than $5 million in just three months after announcing his run.
McGuire stepped down as vice chairman of banking giant Citigroup to run for mayor.
“New York is in a state of emergency,” Diddy says in a video on a Zoom call with McGuire, Angie Martinez and Steve Stoute. “New York could be the first city that really does something bold to take care of the people. That’s why I was excited about this conversation, just knowing Ray.”
The Revolt founder also let it be known that they have all been aware of McGuire’s community ties for decades. “Through those 30 years, no matter where we were at, Ray was always talking about the people,” he said.
So far, Andrew Yang has been the frontrunner in the mayor’s race by both the media and his fellow candidates. Yang has amassed 24% of likely Democratic voters while Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has 13%. But the latest celebrity endorsements could help propel McGuire from 9% to the top position.
“When New York’s the most vibrant, It was because it was a destination for people to come there and create,” Jay-Z said. “He told me about his plans for running for mayor. I was like, man, there goes that! I understood where he was coming from.”
McGuire has promised to collaborate with the private sector on job growth and is against sweeping tax increases. His pledge to reform the police and received an endorsement from the late Eric Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr.
“New York is the greatest city on earth, but it is a city at risk—grave risk. The danger lights are flashing red. We’re facing a financial crisis unlike any the city has seen before,” McGuire said via his website. “Too many kids who look like me or grew up like I did can’t make it. Too many people are out of work. No jobs. No city. I’m running because the same old political answers won’t fix that.”
“Everything [McGuire] is saying is everything I want to hear,” said Nas.
