Cuban-American entrepreneur and first-time candidate Joseph Hernandez launches mayoral bid, offering a bold alternative focused on safety, affordability, and independent leadership.
NEW YORK, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Joseph Hernandez, a Cuban-American biotech entrepreneur and first-time candidate, officially launched his independent campaign for Mayor of New York City today, pledging to restore safety, affordability, and leadership that works for all five boroughs.
The announcement follows a major campaign milestone: Hernandez recently qualified for the general election ballot by submitting nearly 15,000 petition signatures, close to four times the required threshold, to the New York City Board of Elections.
“This campaign is about restoring the promise of New York,” said Hernandez. “We collected close to 15,000 signatures in just a few short weeks, not with party machines, but with real people who are tired of excuses, tired of decline, and ready for change. That kind of grassroots momentum tells you everything you need to know.”
Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Hernandez immigrated to the United States at age seven after his family fled communist rule. Raised by working-class parents, he went on to build a nationally recognized career in biotechnology, founding multiple healthcare companies, raising over $1 billion in private and public capital, and delivering breakthrough public health solutions.
While others offer recycled talking points, extreme ideology, or political theatrics, Hernandez brings something different: real-world experience, independent thinking, and the courage to lead without party strings attached. His campaign isn’t built on legacy, ideology, or headlines, it’s built on solutions that work for everyday New Yorkers.
Now, he is entering public life not out of political ambition, but from a deep belief that New York City is in crisis, and it is time for serious, experienced, independent leadership.
His campaign is focused on delivering real solutions: restoring public safety, tackling the housing crisis, fixing our failing schools, addressing homelessness and mental health, and cutting government waste through smart technology.
“I congratulate Assembly member Zohran Mamdani on his victory. While I respect his passion for public service, we offer two very different visions for New York,” Hernandez added. “Zohran embraces socialism—I lived under it. I know firsthand that socialism may promise equality, but in practice, it strips away freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. It’s not what made America the most innovative and dynamic nation on Earth.”
“I’m running as an independent because I believe New York doesn’t need more ideology—we need solutions. I believe in hard work, safe streets, clean subways, good schools, and the chance for every New Yorker to rise. Let’s build a city that honors our immigrant roots, rewards responsibility, and protects the freedoms that make America—and New York—so exceptional.”
Joseph Hernandez will appear on the general election ballot this November as an independent candidate for Mayor of New York City.
About Joseph Hernandez:
Joseph Hernandez is a Cuban-American biotech entrepreneur and independent candidate for Mayor of New York City. A refugee and the son of a political prisoner, he immigrated to the U.S. at age seven and built a nationally recognized career founding healthcare companies and advancing public health innovation. He is running to restore safety, affordability, and accountability to New York City leadership.
For more information, visit hernandezfornyc.com.
Contact:
Brennan Gorman
Hernandez for NYC
(631) 921-5749
press@hernandezfornyc.com
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