Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy says New York City’s recent political developments have prompted him to reconsider his long-held reluctance to enter politics, though he acknowledged he is uncertain whether he could defeat New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Portnoy discussed the possibility during an appearance Monday on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime, where host Jesse Watters criticized the democratic socialist mayor and several candidates backed by Mamdani who secured victories in Democratic primaries last week.
Among those victories, former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated Rep. Dan Goldman to win the Democratic nomination in the 10th Congressional District. Union organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier prevailed over Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th District, while state Rep. Claire Valdez defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th District. Because all three districts are considered safely Democratic, the candidates are expected to win their general election races.
Watters asked Portnoy what he would do in response to the political direction he sees unfolding in the city.
“So I’ve always thought I would never get involved in politics, but I think you can do more in the private sector,” Portnoy said. “What is going on has actually made me pause that thought.”
Portnoy referenced what he described as an old quote from Plato, saying that failing to perform public service by seeking office can leave people governed by those they do not believe are qualified.
“I was saying to you that old Plato quote, if you don’t do your public service and run for office, you’re doomed to be run by basically dummies,” Portnoy said. “And right now I feel like that’s what’s happening.”
He also argued that voter participation has played a role in recent election outcomes.
“Now, not everyone’s getting out to vote,” Portnoy said. “I think what the Democrats have done is they’ve let the fox into the henhouse.”
Calling it “a scary time” to live in New York, Portnoy said he feels increasingly compelled to become involved rather than remain on the sidelines.
“I do feel like it’s my duty. I can’t turn away,” he said. “I feel like I could make a change, maybe do a run in politics. So I don’t know.”
Watters then asked whether that meant Portnoy might consider running against Mamdani.
“If I was going to run, it would be here,” Portnoy replied. “Can I win here? I have no idea.”
Portnoy said he is uncertain whether the city’s demographics would allow him to attract enough support, despite believing he has earned goodwill from many New Yorkers through his work outside politics.
“There’s a lot of people who like me in New York City,” he said, pointing to efforts including the Barstool Fund and support for pizza businesses. He argued those initiatives were undertaken before he had any thoughts of running for office and were not intended to advance political ambitions.
Portnoy also contrasted his background with that of career politicians, saying he has held what he described as “a real job” and accomplished “real things,” unlike politicians he criticized as lacking real-world experience.
At the same time, he expressed doubt that the voters who backed the recent primary winners would support him. Portnoy described those voters as “young, white, like, Ivy League-ish, elite-ish, women,” adding that he believes they would be unlikely to embrace what he called “common sense.”
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