The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 26, 2025
It’s been a busy few weeks in New York City, as the Democratic nominee for November’s mayoral race was chosen, a recent Queens state assembly candidate is indicted for fraud, and disgraced Congressman George Santos prepares for prison.
As we reported, ranked choice voting was used in New York City’s June 24th primary election, and in a surprise to many, progressive Zohran Mamdani triumphed over former New York governor Andrew Cuomo by over seven percent in the first round. Seeing no path, Cuomo conceded before the second ranked choice round.
June 13th, the U.S. Justice Department announced charges against Dao Yin, a recent Democratic candidate for New York Assembly representing Queens. According to DOJ, Yin fabricated small-donor donation cards to obtain almost $163,000 in matching funds from the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board and defrauded New York taxpayers. If convicted, Yin faces up to 20 years in prison.
Former Republican Congressman George Santos reports to the Federal Bureau of Prisons July 25th to begin serving an 87-month sentence for fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds. After inventing most of his resume to get elected in 2022, and indictments in May and October 2023, Santos was finally expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2023.
We’re spreading the news on all these stories at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Board of Elections in the City of New York – Summary, Democratic Mayoral Primary
The City – Mamdani Wins Stunning Upset in Democratic Primary as Cuomo Concedes Race
U.S. Department of Justice – Former New York State Assembly Candidate Charged with Wire Fraud
PoliticsNY – Former NYS Assembly candidate from Flushing charged with wire fraud: Feds
U.S. Department of Justice – Ex-Congressman George Santos Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft
CBS News NY – George Santos to report to prison in July after sentencing for wire fraud, identity theft charges
Groups Taking Action:
Rank the Vote NYC, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Reinvent Albany
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #Corruption #NYCElections #GeorgeSantos #AndrewCuomo #ZohranMamdani #RankedChoiceVoting