While much of the city was still emerging from a forced coronavirus slumber,  more mayoral candidates than ever were running — with a whole new twist on the race. 

As winter melted into spring and coronavirus rates dropped, candidates left Zoom rooms and raced into face-to-face politics across the five boroughs. 

Here are some views from the campaign trail, from a candidate helping during an emergency health scare to ers clearly feeling the energy of the moment as Tuesday’s primary nears.

Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams took time after a Can Plaza rally to pose for a maskless selfie.


Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

A young Dianne Morales er practiced her political rallying skills. 


Credit: Hiram Alejandro Durán/THE CITY

Andrew Yang helped fan a man who fainted at a Bronx event on a scorching late spring day.  


Credit: Hiram Alejandro Durán/THE CITY

Kathryn Garcia made the rounds at Astoria Park’s first outdoor movie since the pandemic. 


Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

A Ray McGuire er shielded herself in Times Square.


Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa kicked off his campaign attacking two men who loom large in New York politics.


Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

Anti-Eric Adams protesters tried to disrupt a campaign event in Brooklyn. 


Credit: Hiram Alejandro Durán/THE CITY

Fernando Mateo showed his position on policing issues, tying Blue Lives Matter banners around the World Trade Center.


Credit: Hiram Alejandro Durán/THE CITY

Scott Stringer took his family to vote at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.


Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

A Maya Wiley er holds on at the end of an arduous campaign. 

Ben is a visuals editor for THE CITY, where he brings THE CITY’s stories to life through visual journalism and powerful photo essays.

Hiram Alejandro Durán takes photos for THE CITY. A recent graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, he’s photographed general assignments for The Riverdale Press and Centro...