Andrew Yang is celebrating his 46th Birthday by officially declaring he’s running for the role of Mayor of New York City. Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Andrew Yang outside Rudy’s Bar on 9th Avenue which has been closed during the pandemic. Photo via @andrewyang Twitter.

His long-expected announcement came tonight with a tweet at around 8pm. His campaign video features many clips around his Hell’s Kitchen home included a boarded up Rudy’s and a trip to Amy’s Bread on 9th Avenue.

Andrew Yang visiting Amy’s Bread on 9th Avenue. Photo via @andrewyang Twitter.

“I moved to New York City 25 years ago. I came of age, fell in love, and became a father here. Seeing our City in so much pain breaks my heart,” said Yang. “Let’s fight for a future New York City that we can be proud of – together.”

Andrew Yang takes a look inside the closed Lenwich store on 9th Avenue. Photo via @andrewyang Twitter.

In December, we reported Yang’s Hell’s Kitchen credentials and his love of food joints in the neighborhood. He loves Real Kung Fu Steamed Buns and Dumplings, by Schmackary’sTotto RamenIppudo RamenLucky’s Famous Burgers and Tim Ho Wan. Andrew Yang started his run for Democratic presidential candidate from his mom’s Hell’s Kitchen apartment in the fall of 2017.

He’s settled back into his two bedroom apartment on W42nd Street in December with his wife, Evelyn and two boys, Christopher and Damian.

In the campaign video he is asked a key New York question by his wife, Evelyn: “Papaya King or Gray’s Papaya!” He decisively says: “Gray’s Papaya!”

This is his campaign announcement:

“New York City always felt like the center of the universe. I grew up an hour North and came into the city with my brother whenever I could. In 1996, I moved to Morningside Heights. I went to my friend’s shows. I was in the Garden for Larry Johnson’s four-point play. Let’s go Mets! I’m sorry Knick’s but you’ve been too bad for too long.

“I came of age, fell in love and became a father here. My wife, Evelyn is from Queens. Both my sons were born at St. Luke’s. Eventually, I became a CEO. I started a nonprofit. President Obama named me a champion of change and an ambassador for entrepreneurship. I ran for President because I saw that the economy was not working for everyday Americans.

“Seeing my city the way it is now breaks my heart. What happened to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and so many others. It’s beyond injustice. It’s inhuman. We need to realize Martin Luther King Jr’s dream of a guaranteed minimum income and get cash into the hands of people who need it most. We’ll bring New York City into the 21st century by getting everyone high-speed internet, so our kids can learn.

“We’ll take back control of our subway. We’ll create a people’s bank so it stops being so expensive to be poor. We’ll reopen intelligently to revive our incredible culture. Maybe we can even save the Knicks. New York City has been my home for 25 years. It’s Evelyn’s home. We’re public school parents. I’m running for mayor for my two boys, for you and for every New Yorker. Let’s fight for a future in New York City that we can all be proud of.”

You can watch his full campaign video below…

YouTube video

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