"How is the situation with the lady?"The two of them walked around the construction site, talking while they moved. There was a lot going on, so whenever they had time to gather, they took the opportunity to settle things. After all, the opening of the wholesale supermarket and the charitable activities of Mrs. Wilkie were happening simultaneously."I've already spoken with her, no problems," Wilkie nodded, indicating everything was settled."By the way, isn't the mayor of New York up for re-election soon?" Niall casually asked, recalling a lie he had told at home with Aunt Ginny and the others."Yeah, roughly, the next election is at the end of next year, probably in November." Wilkie casually responded, as the New York mayoral race didn't have much to do with his plans."I see..."
In fact, the position of New York's mayor is very important, not just for the city, but because New York alone has a population of nearly 10 million, about one-ninth of the total population of the United States. If someone wins the mayoralty in New York, it gives them significant political leverage across the country.In later years, a billionaire ran for mayor of New York, offering himself a salary of just one dollar per year, and later even ran for president — Michael Bloomberg.Unfortunately, he lost to Biden in the Democratic primaries, but considering his support rate, it wasn't much lower than Biden's."The New York mayor has always been elected by the Tammany Hall, no one else can get in," Wilkie, who had been in New York for a long time, was quite clear about this."How so?" Niall asked, curious.Tammany Hall, founded in 1789 by Irishman William Mooney, was initially a nationwide patriotic charitable organization. Starting in the 1820s, as Irish immigrants settled in New York, it expanded and evolved into a local political organization centered around the city, becoming the core institution of the New York Democratic Party.From 1854 to 1871, under the leadership of Fernando Wood and William M. Tweed, the association reached its peak and became a flagrant "corrupt empire." This period was one of the most corrupt in New York's history. Between 1872 and 1901, under John Kelly and Richard Croker, the corrupt empire began to decline.At its height, Tammany Hall won elections through means like bribing ballot counters to rig votes, or forging documents to turn unqualified Irish immigrants into eligible voters. Wood was elected mayor three times, directly controlling the city for six years; Tweed helped elect four mayors, indirectly controlling the city for 11 years.They placed their key members in important government positions and controlled the city's finances, personnel, and public safety. Especially during the urbanization process, they funneled contracts for utilities, road work, etc., to their members and affiliated officials, earning huge kickbacks, making the alliance between businessmen and politicians the core of the corruption.For example, the original budget for the New York City courthouse was about $250,000, but after the Tweed group got involved, the project ended up costing over $8 million. Between 1865 and 1871, the Tweed group embezzled over $200 million in public funds.With money and manpower, Tammany Hall completely monopolized the mayor's office. Even when the Republican Party was at its peak, they couldn't shake the Democratic dominance in New York, and now, with the Republican Party in complete disarray, it was a one-sided affair."So, even when the Republican Party was strong, they couldn't shake the Democratic grip on New York?" Niall asked, clearly surprised."There are 25% Irish Catholic immigrants, 25% German immigrants, and a number of Italians and Southern blacks in New York. Most of these people, especially those who had received help from Tammany Hall in settling and finding jobs, tend to support the candidates backed by the Hall," Wilkie shrugged.It was essentially simple political collusion. Tammany Hall had the votes, and the Democrats had the resources, working together to turn New York into their backyard. After all, for many years, the mayor had been a Democrat, or more bluntly, the head of Tammany Hall."Wouldn't the voters grow tired of it?" Niall asked innocently."So what? Hahahahaha...""Well, what does it matter? Even if some voters are tired of it, as long as the Catholic voters, especially those who have been helped by the Hall, still support them, Tammany Hall is solid as a rock.""Hmm...""Actually, if we're being honest..." Wilkie seemed to have thought of something."Who?""The Deputy Attorney General Fiorello, he seems to be planning to run for mayor. I've seen him a few times at union banquets.""Isn't the Deputy Attorney General Mr. Dewey?" Niall was a bit taken aback."No, no, Dewey is the Attorney General in the South, New York is so large that it's split into several districts.""So who is this Fiorello?" Niall seemed to have heard the name before but couldn't quite place it."He's been a two-term congressman, an old Republican, Italian-American, full name Fiorello Henry La Guardia.""Ah, him!" Niall realized this was the future head of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.Niall remembered how the Communist Party elders, including Dong, who was also the head of the relief committee in the liberated areas, once wrote a letter protesting that the Kuomintang had intercepted 98% of relief supplies, leaving only 2% to be sent to areas controlled by the Eighth Route Army. This man was indeed efficient, and upon hearing the news, he immediately sent people to investigate, even publishing a condemnation of the Kuomintang government in the "Ta Kung Pao."Some of the relief officers and medical personnel were cruelly persecuted by the Kuomintang while delivering aid to the liberated areas, and tragically died in the process."So, how is your relationship with him?" Niall asked, now knowing that Fiorello La Guardia had once been elected mayor of New York.Maybe there's something to be done here...