Cuban-born entrepreneur Joseph Hernandez has formally qualified for New York City’s November 2025 mayoral ballot, adding another centrist voice to an already crowded race. The 52-year-old technology investor, who leads Manhattan-based Blue Water Venture Partners, said his experience growing up under Fidel Castro’s regime shapes his opposition to democratic-socialist policies. He has raised roughly $300,000 since launching his independent bid in late June and proposes hiring 10,000 additional police officers, converting vacant offices into housing and using artificial-intelligence tools to streamline city services. Hernandez joins incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and former governor Andrew Cuomo on the moderate side of the contest, potentially splitting that vote as left-wing candidate Zohran Mamdani leads the field after winning the June Democratic primary. Hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman and other business figures have warned that the divided centrist slate could clear a path for Mamdani, whose platform includes higher taxes on top earners, government-run grocery stores and the decriminalisation of prostitution. Mamdani’s proposals have drawn sharp criticism from rivals. Adams questioned the plan to decriminalise sex work, while conservative and business groups argue the agenda would accelerate the out-migration of taxpayers. With no candidate close to majority support in early private polling, strategists expect a volatile campaign as fundraising accelerates after Labor Day.