A Spring Symposium Co-Hosted by the NYU Journal of Legislation & Public Policy (JLPP) and American Constitution Society (ACS)
February 6, 2026
The Journal of Legislation & Public Policy and ACS invited guests to a live podcast recording of Genuine Media, a series exploring how belief, identity, and power shape public life and public governance.
This episode examined a pivotal moment in recent New York City politics involving Brad Lander’s decision to exit the mayoral primary and endorse Zohran Mamdani, a choice that generated significant community backlash and raised broader questions about faith, identity, coalition-building, and moral responsibility in politics. Using this concrete case study, the conversation expanded to a larger inquiry into what it means to govern a “moral city,” and how values inform legal, budgetary, and policy decisions around housing, transit, and public accountability.
Speakers
Brad Lander – Former New York City Comptroller and City Councilmember.
Alessandra Biaggi – Former New York State Senator and co-host of Genuine Media.
Kendall Ciesemier – Writer, producer, and co-host of Genuine Media; former journalist whose work spans justice, religion, and public accountability.
