'Sex And The City' Star Plans To Run For New York Governor And People Are Thrilled

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'Sex And The City' Star Plans To Run For New York Governor And People Are Thrilled

Evening Standard

Ever since Donald Trump became the United States's 45th president, a parade of Hollywood stars have been rumored to run for office much to the bewilderment of the general public. While some are more vocal than others, very few have confirmed their new political career.

However, Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon has officially announced she's running for political office and the state's citizens couldn't be more excited.

On March 19, Nixon, 51, announced her plan to challenge two-term incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic party nomination to become the Governor of New York, despite never holding any elected role.

With the election only six months away, the liberal activist branded Cuomo, 60, as a "centrist and Albany insider," and was recently recognized by the Human Rights Campaign with its Visibility Award for her work "advocating for marriage equality and fighting stigma and prejudice."

"We are now the most unequal state in the entire country, with both incredible wealth and extreme poverty," she declared in a video posted on Twitter announcing her candidacy.

The New York Times speculates the mother-of-three will heavily rely on her celebrity status to sway the state's voters with a unique media campaign based on her entertainment career "traditional challengers" cannot recreate.

But how exactly is the public reacting to Nixon's political bid? In two words: very well.

Public reactions

When Nixon announced her plan to run for governor, it wasn't long before the public took to social media to share their reactions. While some joked about her experience as a lawyer in Sex and the City, others rolled their eyes at another "unqualified" celebrity putting in a political bid.

However, the vast majority were thrilled with Nixon's revelation and took to Twitter to show their pleasure.

"I'd love to have a #lesbian governor in the US. #CynthiaNixon is a longtime political activist with a focus on families and income inequality," Victoria Brownworth tweeted.

"I couldn't be happier that #CynthiaNixon is running for governor. I'm confident that she will make an amazing leader and progressive figure that will advance not only NY but America in the right direction! I'm always a proud New Yorker, but especially today!" Melissa DiGiorgio wrote.

"Maybe a bit too soon, but can't help getting excited to hear #CynthiaNixon will be running for NYC Governor. During Trump's dark dumb era nothing could be more enlightening than a woman getting the politics headlines too," Agatha Sanabria added.

Platform promises

In Nixon's campaign video, the actress listed several priorities she would institute should she come out victorious, which include quality education for high schools across the state, better health care, and ending mass incarceration.

"We are sick of politicians who care more about headlines and power than they do about us. It can't just be business as usual anymore, she said.

"Something has to change. We want our government to work again, on health care, ending mass incarceration, fixing our broken subway," Nixon added. "We are sick of politicians who care more about headlines and power than they do about us. It can't just be business as usual anymore."

"We are the most unequal state in the entire country, with both incredible wealth and extreme poverty," she concluded.

Take a look for yourself:

But does she have what it takes to win?

Chances of victory

Despite Nixon's fierce announcement, Cuomo isn't worried about the steep competition.

"I'm not nervous about whoever runs," Cuomo said. "There'll be people who run. That's called elections, and that's fine."

If elected to office, Nixon would become the first female, LGBT member (she identifies as bisexual) to become the governor of the state of New York.

However, a survey taken by Siena College revealed on Monday Cuomo was leading the polls with registered Democrats 66% in favor of him compared to Nixon's 19%. But, since the race is in its early stages, poll results may shift due to rumors of Cuomo's possible run for president in 2020.

Jeffrey Pollock, a longtime pollster for Cuomo said he finds it highly unlikely a celebrity will become a viable candidate as they hold very little to no experience to run a city, let alone a state.

"They are looking for proven experience to take the fight to Donald Trump and to Republicans across the state," he said.

Governor Andrew CuomoWall Street Journal

But, despite the strong words from Nixon's opposition, she is standing her ground.

In a January op-ed for CNN, she wrote: "If we've learned anything during this first year of the Trump presidency, it's that the cavalry isn't coming to save us.

"We ourselves are the cavalry. In 2018, each one of us has to do whatever we can to take the government back. If we want change, we have to go out ourselves and seize it," she added.

Would you vote for Nixon to become New York's next governor?

[H/T: CNN, The New York Times]

Maya has been working at Shared for a year. She just begrudgingly spent $200 on a gym membership. Contact her at maya@shared.com