Cynthia Nixon, known for her role on "Sex and the City" as Miranda Hobbes, has officially announced her run for governor on Monday via Twitter. Her run for governor has been hinted at for months, but this is her first official announcement. Her run as a democrat places her against current New York governor and two-time incumbent Andrew Cuomo. Nixon is a New York native, having been born and raised in New York City. She attended and graduated the New York City public school system, and her children attend there as well.
Nixon's history of activism
Nixon has no previous experience holding an elected-office position. However, she has been known to be engaged in activism throughout the years. Identifying as bisexual, in 2010, Nixon starred in a video for the Fight Back PAC advocating for the right to same-sex marriage. In 2011, she penned an essay for Newsweek on the same topic. In 2010, she won the Vito Russo GLAAD Award. According to the GLAAD website, this award is given to "an openly LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality and acceptance." In 2016, Nixon authored a personal essay detailing her experience with and support for reproductive rights, also known to some as pro-choice.
Nixon's platform
In Nixon's tweet, she attached a video ad that broadly spoke about her interests. In the video, Nixon promises "to fight for a better, more fair New York." She also notes the large wealth gap in New York, and says that New York is "the most unequal state in the entire country." Nixon also voices her displeasure with elected officials who "care more about headlines and power than they do about [the people of New York]." Although no specific details are given in the video, there are hints at what her platform might be based on: ending mass incarceration, fixing the subway system, and improving healthcare.
Her official website does not go beyond naming Nixon as a progressive advocate.
Can Nixon win?
Since Cuomo is the current governor, this will be the toughest candidate she will find herself facing off against. Perhaps this race might have been easy if Cuomo had bad ratings. However, according to a recent poll conducted by Siena College, Cuomo has pretty high approval ratings, some of the highest of his tenure.
All regions of New York state view Cuomo favorably, and he has strong support for many of his proposals. Nixon will have a long and tough battle trying to beat Cuomo in the September Democratic primary.
