Karen Stachel for Mayor
I am running as an Independent Democrat for the office of Mayor New York City as a
“Write-In” in the November 4th 2025 Election!
Follow the Money at CFB
Justice. Creativity. Compassion.
Karen Stachel for Mayor
Karen Stachel, a long-time New Yorker, is running as an Independent Democrat for Mayor of New York City. She believes the city thrives when creativity, compassion, and community guide its future.
An internationally acclaimed jazz flutist, Karen has spent her career listening, improvising, and uniting diverse voices—skills she’s ready to bring to City Hall.
Her priorities include:
Cleaning up the city through monthly neighborhood cleanup days and stronger litter prevention rules to create healthier, more welcoming communities and control the rat problem
Promoting environmental sustainability by planting trees on every block
Advancing animal rights, including ending horse-drawn carriages and implement Ryder's Law.
Addressing bail reform laws to balance public safety with fairness and justice
Karen’s artistic career has taken her to stages worldwide and produced acclaimed albums such as In the Name of the Father, And of the Son, And the Holy Spirit and A Whim and a Prayer. As co-leader of the band LehCats (“Stachel” spelled backward), she has championed cultural exchange and collaboration—values she will carry into public service.
Coming from a family rooted in creativity and public life, Karen is dedicated to making New York City a global leader in cultural innovation while supporting working artists and local communities.
Karen Stachel is ready to lead with the same passion and dedication that have defined her music—creating a city where every voice matters and every neighborhood can thrive.
Don't be fooled by a politician with a nice smile, charming disposition or well thought out publicity.
The Greening of NYC – A Brighter, Kinder Future
I am a Mayor with a beautiful vision
Karen Stachel for Mayor
Think Pyramid.
Think of New York in the shape of a pyramid. The foundation, that is the lowest and largest section of the pyramid, is unstable in NY which is the reason why bad things keep happening in NY.
Without a strong foundation nothing above it is stable.
I plan to start my mayorship working to strengthen the foundation of NY.
What does that mean? People without homes will get homes. Low rent homes will get the attention they need.
My Vision:
I will make NYC the greenest city in the world. Trees on every block. Community gardens in every neighborhood. Monthly community work days where residents come together to clean and beautify their streets. Beauty heals, inspires, and connects us.
I believe people have to take responsibility for their surroundings instead of relying on government to fix things. For example, the rat issue in central park. I will restrict food consumption in areas that have rat problems. I will fine people who litter.
We don't need the National Guard to clean our city. We can clean it ourselves.
Animal Rights: End the use of horse-drawn carriages in NYC.
Implement Ryder's Law which is a proposed New York City bill, Intro #967-2024, that would phase out the city's horse-drawn carriage industry and replace it with electric carriages, effective June 1, 2026. Introduced by Council Member Robert Holden, the law is named after Ryder, a carriage horse who collapsed and later died after being forced to work while sick in 2022, sparking public outrage and renewing calls for a ban. The bill also aims to provide for the humane disposition of carriage horses and offer a workforce development program for affected drivers.
Close all live animal markets humanely on day one.
Greening the City: ,Promote home gardening contests, and enforce Local Law 97 for solar panels and green roofs. I plan to make NYC the greenest city in the world while keeping my eye on the environmental impacts NYC can improve on.
Housing:
The program "Unlocking Doors" will get much needed attention. I will assign individuals to work hand-in-hand with landlords to get vacant apartments renovated for low income tenants.
Develop communal, flexible outdoor spaces, require energy-efficient air conditioning, subsidize window cleaning for apartment buildings.
Jobs & Inclusion: Require gentrified neighborhood businesses to employ at least 50% displaced or marginalized residents.
Affordability: No tax increases (or decreases). Rent reductive incentives for property owners.
Crime Prevention: Target high-crime areas with focused policing and community repair initiatives.
Homelessness:
I will improve all shelters to make them pleasant to be in. Upon intake into a shelter, residents choose from a list of possible contributions (cleaning, gardening, event setup, teaching a class, inventory or supplies, etc.).
This system respects limitations of individuals while encouraging a culture of mutual support.
It creates community cohesion without forcing anyone into a specific task.
Zero Tolerance for Anti-Semitism: As a Christian woman married to a Jewish man, I will fight prejudice in every form.
Empathy in Leadership: Real change starts with compassion.
Why Me?
I am a long-time New Yorker, musician, and activist who sees the city’s strengths and its flaws. I am not a career politician—I’m a neighbor who wants to fix what’s broken and make NYC kinder, cleaner, and stronger.
Join the Movement!
✔ Volunteer
✔ Spread the word
✔ Vote Karen Stachel – Write-In Candidate
📅 Election Day: November 4, 2025
Together, we can turn NYC into a city we’re all delighted to call home.
