Max & Murphy

Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat seeking reelection, joined the show to discuss her record, respond to critiques of Democratic governance of New York, outline what's at the top of her agenda if she wins another term, and address key issues facing the state and the city. Hochul is facing Republican nominee Bruce Blakeman in the 2026 election, seeking to win her second full term after ascending to the governor's office in 2021.

City Council Member Sandy Nurse, a Brooklyn Democrat, joined the show to discuss Council passage of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), which gives qualified nonprofits the first chance to buy certain housing properties when they are put up for sale. Mayor Mamdani has promised to sign the bill, which Nurse is the lead sponsor of, into law, with the promise that it will lead to more community-focused ownership of apartment buildings that have been in physical distress or part of city affordability programs.

Mayor Mamdani's charter revision commission — the Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE — has put 5 yes-or-no questions on the 2026 ballot with various proposals for city voters to approve or disapprove. This episode features audio from a live event held at New York Law School where COGE Chair Patrick Gaspard and Executive Director Ann Cheng gave a presentation, then sat with host Ben Max for a conversation, followed by audience Q&A.

Bob Hardt, New York political director for Spectrum News, joined the show to analyze the lone debate between Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, which took place October 13 on Spectrum News. Hardt and host Ben Max discussed key moments in the debate, areas of disagreement between Hochul and Blakeman, how each candidate performed, and the broader state of the gubernatorial race with under three weeks until Election Day (November 3, 2026).

Saritha Komatireddy, the Republican and Conservative parties' nominee for New York Attorney General in this year's election, joined the show to discuss her bid to unseat Letitia James and her vision for becoming the state's chief legal officer. The race is one of many state, federal, and local elections on the ballot this fall, with Election Day on November 3, 2026.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, a Democrat who has been the state's chief fiscal officer since 2007, joined the show to discuss his case for reelection, respond to criticism by his Republican opponent, Joseph Hernandez, and assess key elements of how New York is doing.

Joseph Hernandez, the Republican and Conservative parties' nominee for New York State Comptroller in this year's election, joined the show to discuss his bid to unseat Tom DiNapoli and his vision for becoming the state's chief fiscal officer. The Comptroller's race is one of many state, federal, and local races on the ballot this fall, with Election Day on November 3, 2026.

New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan - a Queens Democrat, public school parent, and chair of the Council's oversight and investigations committee - joined the show to discuss a recent hearing he co-chaired on screen time, digital devices, and education technology in New York City Schools. The conversation on this theme also included Krishnan's new policy agenda, recent announcements by the Mamdani administration, and what's next.

Journalists Jeff Coltin and Sophie Krichevsky of City & State New York joined the show to discuss the U.S. House of Representatives races to watch in New York for the 2026 general election. They joined host Ben Max to break down races in several New York districts - including the 3rd, 4th, 17th, 19th, and beyond - as well as broader themes of this election cycle, key dynamics at play including the gubernatorial race at the top of the ticket, the impact of figures like President Trump, Mayor Mamdani, and Rep. AOC, and more.

This special edition of the show is audio of a live event: an expert panel on technology and democracy moderated by host Ben Max that was part of New York Law School's second annual civics summit. The panel includes John Avlon (journalist, author, and chair of good government group Citizens Union); Ryan Hayward (chief of staff at the Offices of the NYS Inspector General); Oscar Romero (chief information officer at the NYC Civic Engagement Commission); and Julie Samuels (founder, president, and CEO of Tech:NYC).

Journalists Nicole Gelinas and Harry Siegel joined the show to discuss the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, how the city has and hasn't changed since, Mayor Mamdani's approach to the anniversary, the rebuilding and growth of Lower Manhattan, and more.

Journalists Grace Ashford of the New York Times and Nick Reisman of Politico joined the show with two months until Election Day 2026 to discuss key races and themes of this year's election in New York. The conversation has a special focus on the race for Governor between Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, but also touches on several races for Congress and key factors like President Donald Trump, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and more.

Journalist David Brand and housing advocate Annemarie Gray joined the show to discuss the saga over Lower Manhattan's Elizabeth Street Garden, which recently hit a major inflection point that may signal a final resolution leaving the garden a public park and advancing housing development at alternative sites. Brand, a housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, and Gray, executive director of Open New York, joined host Ben Max to discuss the specifics of the ESG story, but also what it means in the bigger picture of the city's housing politics and policy landscape. They also touched on several other housing issues in the conversation.

The co-chairs of the New York City Council Progressive Caucus, Council Members Tiffany Cabán and Sandy Nurse, joined the show to announce the release of the Caucus' legislative agenda for the current term (2026-2029). The 13-bill priority agenda includes bills dealing with public safety and policing, housing, worker protection, and much more. Cabán of Queens and Nurse of Brooklyn are co-chairs of a 23-member Progressive Caucus that is slightly shy of a majority in the 51-seat Council, and they spoke with host Ben Max about the strength of the Caucus, status of several of the bills in the package, and efforts to build support to pass them into law. (Ep 610)

Three leaders of the reform movement in Brooklyn Democratic politics — Julio Peña III, Caitlin Kawaguchi, and Tony Melone — joined the show to discuss the future of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. In June, the “Brooklyn Can't Wait" coalition won enough District Leader positions to elect a new county party chair, and that majority announced its intention to back Peña III for the powerful post. He outlined his vision as Brooklyn Democratic Party chair during this wide-ranging conversation. (Ep 609)

Leila Bozorg, New York City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning, joined the show to discuss the Mamdani Administration's "Block By Block" housing plan, the city's multi-faceted housing crisis and various strategies to address it, key policies and programs underway and others in development, and more. (Ep 608)

In this special episode, hear members of The New York Editorial Board - a group of veteran journalists that includes Max Politics host Ben Max - discussing Mayor Zohran Mamdani's tenure thus far and broader political and policy trends. Nine of the Board's 11 members participated in a live event hosted by ABNY - the Association for a Better New York - on July 23, 2026 at The Greene Space. The conversation includes several audience questions. (Ep 607)

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Manhattan Democrat, joined the show to discuss economic development, the city's handling of a Legionnaires' disease outbreak, a pay boost for school aides, a potential ban on horse carriages in the city, and more. (Ep 606)

Assemblymember Micah Lasher joined the show to discuss his win in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District (much of the East and West Sides of Manhattan), where he beat a crowded field of competitors to succeed retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler, as well as Democratic Party unity, political trends in New York, and some of the policy issues he wants to focus on in Congress. (Ep 605)

Strategist Matt Wing joined host Ben Max to analyze Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first six months in office, which included staffing up his administration, his first state and city budget cycles, attempting to follow through on major campaign promises, dealing with unexpected challenges and key relationships, celebrating a Knicks championship, and getting involved in a series of Democratic primary races. (Ep 602)