Jim Walden’s Independent Vision for New York City: Reform, Integrity, and a City Hall for the People

By Janet Howard | Photos Courtesy of Jim Walden’s Campaign  

In a city long dominated by party politics and insider deals, Jim Walden is running a campaign that defies convention. As an independent candidate for mayor of New York City, Walden brings decades of experience as a federal prosecutor and a civil rights attorney to the political arena. His platform is straightforward and unwavering: clean up City Hall, deliver real services to struggling communities, and restore public trust through transparency, accountability, and equity.

From Prosecutor to People’s Advocate

Walden’s résumé reads like a blueprint for public service. He spent nine years as a federal prosecutor, tackling organized crime and public corruption, before transitioning into private practice, where he frequently represented vulnerable individuals against powerful institutions. From suing the Department of Education to force reform in anti-bullying policies, to defending public access to healthcare in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Walden has consistently used the law as a tool to protect communities neglected by city systems.

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Now, as a candidate for mayor, he’s offering something rare in New York politics: independence from party machines, special interest groups, and career ambition. “I don’t have a party to answer to, I don’t have special interests to answer to, and I’m not running to use this office as a stepping stone,” Walden told People, Power & Politics. “I’m doing this because New York needs independent leadership now more than ever”.

Listen to: A Conversation with Jim Walden: New York City: Reform, Integrity, and a City Hall for the People

A Department of Public Integrity

Central to Walden’s platform is the creation of a powerful new watchdog agency: a citywide Department of Public Integrity. Unlike the current public advocate’s office, which he calls ineffective, this agency would be enshrined in the City Charter and equipped with its own prosecutors and dedicated corruption courts. “We’re wasting over half a billion dollars a year on corruption,” Walden warned. “That’s money we could be reinvesting in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our housing”.

This department wouldn’t just be symbolic. It would carry investigative and prosecutorial power, functioning with the independence of a comptroller. According to Walden, once bad actors see prosecutions ramp up and access to special favors shut down, they’ll “start jumping off the ship.” His pledge is clear: clean house and make the city government work for the people again.

Ending Pay-to-Play Politics

To restore trust in government, Walden is not waiting for election day. His campaign has already refused PAC money, eschewing the standard route by which wealthy donors influence city races. Instead, he has proposed “Open City Hall,” a transparency initiative that would require all meetings with lobbyists or representatives of special interests to be documented and made public online.

“We need to get the special interests out of City Hall,” Walden said. “If they’re asking for something, the public should know what it is and why. That level of transparency will discourage corruption before it starts”.

Immigration Reform with Compassion and Law

In stark contrast to current immigration enforcement tactics, Walden supports removing ICE agents from local courts and jails, particularly Rikers Island, where their presence creates instability and fear. “The city can’t stop ICE in federal courts,” Walden explained, “but we can regulate safety in our buildings. ICE should not be arresting people in courthouse hallways. It’s performative and dangerous”.

Instead, Walden proposes tripling the number of immigration judges to expedite asylum cases and ensure due process. “We are a country of laws. Those seeking asylum deserve a fair hearing, and if they qualify, they stay. If not, they return with dignity, not chaos,” he said.

A New Deal for Public Education

Walden sees educational inequality as one of the city’s most urgent crises. New York’s public school system remains the most segregated in the nation, and nearly half of all students in fourth and eighth grades cannot read or do math at grade level. For students in disadvantaged neighborhoods, those numbers are even worse.

Walden’s solution is targeted and immediate: launch a K-3 pilot program in struggling schools that includes reduced class sizes and enhanced support services. He also advocates for using NYCHA community centers for after-school educational programming. “If kids fall behind early, they’re likely to fall behind for life. That’s unacceptable,” he said.

Police Reform That Doesn’t Sacrifice Safety

Acknowledging tensions between the NYPD and communities of color, Walden walks a careful line between safety and reform. He plans to hire up to 4,000 more officers but proposes that every police academy graduate spend two weeks, before receiving their badge, working alongside community leaders in underserved neighborhoods. “They’ll learn empathy and responsiveness before they even start patrol,” he said.

In addition, he proposes strengthening mechanisms for removing bad officers. “The Civilian Complaint Review Board doesn’t have teeth. We need better ways to get bad cops out of the force while supporting the good ones who want to serve,” Walden added.

City Agencies That Work for Families

One of Walden’s most innovative ideas is the restructuring of city services. He proposes the creation of satellite City Halls in each borough and “vertical city agencies”—one-stop shops where working families can access multiple services without being shuffled from agency to agency. “It’s about dignity. People shouldn’t have to take a day off work and go to 10 different offices to get SNAP, housing, and childcare help,” he said.

A City Hall That Listens

To bring government closer to the people, Walden pledges regular office hours and equal access, whether you’re a real estate developer or a single parent from Brownsville. “We deserve a city hall that’s as focused on communities as it is on corporations. When I’m mayor, every New Yorker will be treated as a client. I’m here to serve,” he emphasized.

The Road Ahead

Walden enters the November election as an underdog in a field dominated by Democrats, Republicans, and entrenched political players. But he sees his independence as a strength, not a liability. With over a million New Yorkers now registered as independents, his campaign may resonate with voters tired of corruption, dysfunction, and unfulfilled promises.

“If people want real leadership—not scandal, not mediocrity, but excellence and integrity—then I ask for their vote,” Walden said. “We can fix this city. We just need the courage to elect someone who puts people first.”

For more information, visit www.jimfornyc.com.

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