**Veteran Attorney Jim Walden Joins New York City Mayoral Race**

In a surprising move, Jim Walden, a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in New York City politics, has declared his candidacy for mayor. Positioning himself as a non-partisan technocrat inspired by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Walden aims to provide a disciplined and efficient administration if elected.

During an interview with POLITICO, Walden discussed his past legal work representing notable figures such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo, former Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Attorney General Tish James. He highlighted his comprehensive understanding of city governance, expressing both admiration and disappointment with the politicians he has encountered. Currently, Walden is also representing Joseph Jardin, Chief of Fire Prevention in the New York City Fire Department, amidst ongoing federal bribery investigations involving Mayor Eric Adams.

Walden's campaign will officially begin with the establishment of a fundraising committee. He announced stepping down from his management role at Walden Macht Haran & Williams law firm to focus on his mayoral bid. Walden intends to loan $500,000 to his campaign and may contribute more if necessary, emphasizing his strong fundraising capabilities.

Notably, Walden is not affiliated with any political party and has not committed to running in the Democratic primary, despite a crowded field vying to challenge Adams. He mentioned the possibility of running in a special election, which would occur if Adams resigns or is removed from office, noting such an election would be non-partisan. Moreover, Walden is open to the idea of running as an independent or potentially seeking the Republican Party’s nomination.

Despite recognizing some positive aspects of Donald Trump's administration, Walden strongly opposed Trump’s rhetoric and emphasized his support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Given his stance as an independent, Walden had previously donated to Kathryn Garcia's campaign, who narrowly lost to Adams in the 2021 primary.

Drawing a parallel to Michael Bloomberg's pragmatic approach, Walden has assembled a team of 30 policy advisers, including former federal prosecutor Daniel Alonso and former de Blasio administration commissioner Stacey Cumberbatch, to provide expertise on various issues. Despite acknowledging that Bloomberg might have been New York City's best mayor, Walden faces an uphill battle with limited name recognition and financial resources compared to the billionaire former mayor.

Walden’s legal battles on behalf of retired city workers over health insurance changes have garnered him support from organizations like the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees. Marianne Pizzitola, president of the organization, praised Walden’s commitment to protecting health care for retirees, suggesting that her members could rally behind his campaign.

As Walden steps into the political arena, his blend of legal prowess, non-partisan stance, and dedication to efficient governance sets the stage for a compelling mayoral race in New York City.