Paperboy Prince

Last updated

Paperboy Love Prince
Paperboy Love Prince with flowers.jpg
Born1992or1993(age 31–32) [1]
Other namesPaperboy the Prince, Paperboy Prince of the Suburbs
Occupations
  • Artist
  • politician
Political party Democratic

Paperboy Love Prince, also known as Paperboy Prince of the Suburbs [2] (born 1992/1993), is an American artist, community activist, and perennial candidate. [2] [3]

Contents

Early life

Prince grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and Bowie, Maryland, one of the suburbs of Washington, D.C. [4] One of their grandfathers was a Pentecostal bishop, and both of their parents are devoutly religious. [5] As a child, they worked as a newspaper carrier delivering The Wall Street Journal . [6] [7]

When Prince was 12, their mother won a contest that permitted her to bring them to have lunch with congressional representatives. [8] Following that experience, Prince participated in youth government programs and eventually had internships with the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Supreme Court. In college, Prince studied journalism and computer science while also creating art and hosting entertainment events. [8]

Political activities

Paperboy Prince for the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary Paperboy Prince New York City Mayoral election 2021 logo.png
Paperboy Prince for the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary

Paperboy Love Prince started in politics by hosting concerts which provided voter registration for attendees. [8] Prince supports the redirection of police funding to other programs. [9] Prince hosts a community center called the Love Gallery on Myrtle Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn. [5]

Campaign for New York's 7th Congressional District

In 2020, Prince was a candidate in the primary for New York's 7th congressional district competing against incumbent Nydia Velázquez. [8] Prince received 20% of the vote to their opponent's 80%. [10]

In Prince's campaign their political platform included advocacy for universal basic income, Medicare for all, and spreading love. [7] Some media portrayed Prince's campaign as a longshot. [11] In preparation for the election, Prince overcame a challenge to their bid to appear on the ballot. [12]

2021 New York City mayoral campaign

In December 2020, Prince registered as a candidate for Mayor of New York City in the 2021 Democratic primary. [13] If elected, Prince would have been the youngest mayor in the history of New York City. [1]

Prince's campaign manager was 13-year old student Theo Demel, who believes that homework is unconstitutional. [1] The campaign's goal was to raise $2 million. Part of the fundraising strategy included busking outside the Myrtle Avenue station in Bushwick, Brooklyn. [3] The campaign's major policy points included fighting poverty and providing more housing for New York City residents. [14] The campaign hosted weekly food distribution events, giving away food donated by churches to whoever happened to show up. [5]

In May 2021, Prince challenged their electoral competitor Andrew Yang in both a basketball game and rap battle at Tompkins Square Park. [15] [16] [17]

One of the criteria for joining the city's mayoral debates was fundraising a minimal amount of money. [18] Prince was among the candidates who met the criteria to appear on the ballot, but did not meet the criteria to join the debates. [18] While Prince was not inside the building to participate in mayoral debates, they were outside the venue on a bus known as the "Love Tank". [19] [20] Prince's performance outside the debate included singing about affordable housing. [21]

A writer for Harvard Political Review said that Prince's campaign could shift discussion about what sorts of political policies are acceptable to discuss and also shift the perception of the electability of non-white candidates. [22] A writer for The Red Hook Star-Revue said that Prince was a candidate to take seriously. [23] That paper also endorsed Prince for mayor. [24] Trevor Noah of The Daily Show showcased Prince's idea that police should reward people for doing good as an alternative to spotting violations. [25] The City surveyed Prince on their political positions and published their responses. [26]

Prince received 0.4% of the vote and was not elected. [27]

2022 campaigns

Following the 2021 election Prince announced intent to seek candidacy in the 2022 elections for 11 congressional districts and the New York governorship. [28] They again got on the ballot for congress in NY District 7.

Music

By 2015, Paperboy the Prince was a rapper and a center of attention among the fans at games of the basketball team Washington Wizards. [4] They got recognition for their effort in organizing a music campaign to raise $20 million to bring DC-native basketball player Kevin Durant to the Wizards. [29]

At the 2016 South by Southwest, Prince spoke on behalf of street performers to reporters on the condition that Prince could talk out loud on microphone, and that they got a hug. [30]

Prince received death threats while performing music as Minister of Fun at an anti-Trump art production by LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner at the Museum of the Moving Image in the days after President Trump's inauguration. [2]

In 2017, musician Azealia Banks established record label Chaos & Glory Recordings, with Prince as the first artist signed to produce music. [31]

Personal life

Prince is non-binary and prefers the pronouns they/them/their or the neopronouns God/Goddess. [3] [7] [5]

They dress as "royalty" to draw attention to how politicians can hold power for longer than kings or queens. [8] In an interview with fashion magazine V, Prince explained how freedom in fashion encourages freedom in thinking and welcoming of diversity. [32] They often wear a Game Boy Advance SP or Game Boy Color around their neck. [6]

Prince's role models include Martin Luther King Jr. for his vision of racial justice. [8]

Electoral history

2020

New York's 7th congressional district
2020 Democratic primary results [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nydia Velázquez (incumbent) 56,698 80.1
Democratic Paperboy Prince 14,12019.9
Total votes70,818 100.0

2021

2021 New York City mayoral Democratic primary election [34]
Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8
Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  % Votes  %
Eric Adams 289,403 30.7% 289,603 30.8% 290,055 30.8% 291,806 31.2% 295,798 31.7% 317,092 34.6% 354,657 40.5% Won 404,513 Won 50.4%
Kathryn Garcia 184,463 19.6% 184,571 19.6% 184,669 19.6% 186,731 19.9% 191,876 20.5% 223,634 24.4% 266,932 30.5% 397,316 49.6%
Maya Wiley 201,127 21.4% 201,193 21.4% 201,518 21.4% 206,013 22.0% 209,108 22.4% 239,174 26.1% 254,728 29.1% Eliminated
Andrew Yang 115,130 12.2% 115,301 12.2% 115,502 12.3% 118,808 12.6% 121,597 13.0% 135,686 14.8% Eliminated
Scott Stringer 51,778 5.5% 51,850 5.5% 51,951 5.5% 53,599 5.7% 56,723 6.1% Eliminated
Dianne Morales 26,495 2.8% 26,534 2.8% 26,645 2.8% 30,157 3.2% 30,933 3.3% Eliminated
Raymond McGuire 25,242 2.7% 25,272 2.7% 25,418 2.7% 26,361 2.8% 27,934 3.0% Eliminated
Shaun Donovan 23,167 2.5% 23,189 2.5% 23,314 2.5% 24,042 2.6% Eliminated
Aaron Foldenauer7,742 0.8% 7,758 0.8% 7,819 0.8% Eliminated
Art Chang7,048 0.7% 7,064 0.8% 7,093 0.8% Eliminated
Paperboy Prince 3,964 0.4% 4,007 0.4% 4,060 0.4% Eliminated
Joycelyn Taylor2,662 0.3% 2,683 0.3% 2,780 0.3% Eliminated
Isaac Wright Jr. 2,242 0.2% 2,254 0.2% Eliminated
Write-ins 1,568 0.2% Eliminated
Inactive ballots 0 ballots 752 ballots 1,207 ballots 5,314 ballots 8,062 ballots 26,445 ballots 65,714 ballots 140,202 ballots

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 New York City mayoral election</span>

The 2005 New York City mayoral election occurred on Tuesday, November 8, 2005, with incumbent Republican mayor Michael Bloomberg soundly defeating former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer, the Democratic nominee. Several third-party candidates also ran for mayor. In July, mayoral candidates filed nominating petitions with the City Board of Elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City Board of Elections</span>

The Board of Elections in the City of New York (NYCBOE) conducts New York elections within New York City, United States. It is an administrative body of ten Commissioners, two from each borough upon recommendation by both political parties and then appointed by the New York City Council for a term of four years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy McMillan</span> New York City political activist

James McMillan III is an American political activist and Vietnam War veteran. He was a perennial candidate in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 New York City mayoral election</span>

The 2013 New York City mayoral election occurred on November 5, 2013, along with elections for Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, and members of the New York City Council. The incumbent mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-Independent, was term-limited and thus unable to seek re-election to a fourth term in office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 New York City Public Advocate election</span>

The 2013 New York City Public Advocate election was held on November 5, 2013, along with elections for the Mayor, Comptroller, Borough Presidents, and members of the New York City Council. Incumbent Democratic Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, serving his first term, ran for Mayor of New York City rather than seek re-election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 New York City mayoral election</span>

An election for Mayor of New York City was held on November 7, 2017. Incumbent Democrat Bill de Blasio won re-election to a second term with 66.2% of the vote against Republican Nicole Malliotakis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabari Brisport</span> American politician, activist, actor, and teacher (born 1987)

Jabari Brisport is an American politician, activist, and former public school teacher. He is the state senator for New York's 25th State Senate district in Brooklyn, and the first openly gay person of color to be elected to the New York State Legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlina Rivera</span> New York politician

Carlina Rivera is an American politician who represents the 2nd district of the New York City Council since 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, her district includes portions of the East Village, Gramercy Park, Kips Bay, Lower East Side, Murray Hill, and Rose Hill in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Rose</span> American politician (born 1986)

Max Rose is an American military officer and politician who served as a United States Representative from New York for a single term from 2019 to 2021. A moderate Democrat, he served on the committees for Homeland Security and Veteran's Affairs and played a key role in bringing a stalled bill for a fund for victims of the September 11 attacks to a vote in the United States House of Representatives. Rose served in the Biden administration as senior advisor to the United States Secretary of Defense for COVID-19 from January 2021 to July 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 New York City Public Advocate special election</span>

The 2019 New York City Public Advocate special election was held on February 26, 2019, to fill part of the unexpired term of Letitia James's vacated seat as New York City Public Advocate. It was triggered on January 1, 2019, when James resigned to take office as Attorney General of New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 New York City mayoral election</span>

The 2021 New York City mayoral election was held on November 2, 2021. Incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New York</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the 26 U.S. representatives from the State of New York, one from each of the state's 26 congressional districts. The elections coincided with elections for governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general, comptroller, state senate, and assembly, and various other state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 New York City borough president elections</span>

The 2021 New York City borough president elections were held on November 2, 2021. Four of the five incumbent borough presidents were unable to run for reelection due to term limits. Only the Queens borough president was eligible to seek re-election after winning a special election in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Buffalo mayoral election</span>

The 2021 Buffalo mayoral election was held on November 2, 2021. Democratic Mayor Byron Brown won his fifth term in office as a write-in candidate. Brown's victory marked the first time since 1985 that Buffalo did not elect the Democratic nominee for mayor.

Darma V. Diaz is a Democratic politician. She is a former New York City Councilmember for the 37th district, which includes Bushwick, East New York, Cypress Hills, Ocean Hill-Brownsville, and Brownsville, Brooklyn. A member of the Democratic Party, she was elected unopposed in December 2020 following the resignation of Rafael Espinal. Diaz presided as Chair of the New York City Council's Committee on Women and Gender Equity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 New York City Comptroller election</span>

The 2021 New York City Comptroller election consisted of Democratic and Republican primaries for New York City Comptroller on June 22, 2021, followed by a general election on November 2, 2021. The primaries were the first NYC Comptroller election primaries to use ranked-choice voting. The primary and general election were held alongside concurrent primaries and elections for mayor, Public Advocate, Borough Presidents, and City Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary</span>

The Democratic Party primary for the 2021 New York City mayoral election took place on June 22, 2021. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams defeated 12 other candidates, including Kathryn Garcia, Maya Wiley and Andrew Yang. Adams went on to defeat Republican Curtis Sliwa and other candidates in the November 2, 2021 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City's 34th City Council district</span> Place

New York City's 34th City Council district is one of 51 districts in the New York City Council. It has been represented by Democrat Jennifer Gutiérrez since 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City's 37th City Council district</span> Place

New York City's 37th City Council district is one of 51 districts in the New York City Council. It is currently represented by Democrat Sandy Nurse, who took office in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandy Nurse</span> American politician

Sandra Nurse is a Panamanian-born American carpenter and Democratic politician from New York City who has served as the New York City Council member for the 37th district since 2022. District 37 covers Bushwick and other neighborhoods in northern Brooklyn.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Krasner, Bob (February 24, 2021). "Paperboy Love Prince aims to be youngest elected mayor in New York City". AM New York Metro . Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Divenuta, Lisa (February 13, 2017). "I Found Love, Togetherness, and Milk-Chugging Nazis at LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner's Livestream". www.vice.com. Vice Media.
  3. 1 2 3 Iscoe, Adam (February 15, 2021). "Paperboy Prince's Platform: Cancel Rent, Abolish the Police, Legalize Psychedelics". The New Yorker .
  4. 1 2 Yates, Clinton (May 15, 2015). "Meet Paperboy Prince, the flashiest Wizards fan of them all". The Washington Post .
  5. 1 2 3 4 Lach, Eric (June 20, 2021). "Why Do So Many New York Politicians Want Paperboy Prince to Hit Them in the Face with a Pie?". The New Yorker .
  6. 1 2 Brown, D'Shonda (October 30, 2020). "Paperboy Prince's Radical Love Is the Hopeful Future of Congress". Highsnobiety.
  7. 1 2 3 Roberts, Nigel (June 22, 2020). "Paperboy Prince is running for Congress in NY's 7th Congressional district". BK Reader.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gontcharova, Natalie (June 22, 2020). "Paperboy Prince Is The First Truly Gen-Z Candidate". Refinery29 .
  9. Hogan, Gwynne (June 11, 2021). "Policy Cheat Sheet: Where The Democratic Mayoral Candidates Stand". Gothamist.
  10. McDonough, Annie; Coltin, Jeff; Lewis, Rebecca C. (August 5, 2020). "New York's 2020 congressional primary election results". City & State .
  11. Abadi, Mark; Teckman-Fullard, Meg; Miller, Adam (June 23, 2020). "NYC rapper Paperboy Prince could become the first nonbinary candidate to win a primary bid for Congress". Business Insider .
  12. Meeker, Alec (April 24, 2020). "Paperboy Love Prince Wins Petition Challenge and Will Remain on District 7 Ballot". Bushwick Daily .
  13. Quinn, Anna (December 8, 2020). "Brooklyn Rapper Paperboy Prince Enters Race For NYC Mayor". Bed-Stuy, NY Patch .
  14. News12 Staff (April 13, 2021). "Brooklyn's Paperboy Love Prince hopes to tackle poverty and housing as mayor of NYC". Brooklyn News12. Retrieved April 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. Scootercaster, Oliya (May 23, 2021). "Andrew Yang vs Paperboy Prince Basketball Game". youtube.com. FreedomNewsTV.
  16. Stuart, Tessa (May 28, 2021). "The Prince of Bushwick Wants to Be Mayor of New York". Rolling Stone .
  17. Weigel, David. "Analysis - The Trailer: 'A Visceral Reaction': How New York's mayoral race became about crime". Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021.
  18. 1 2 Choi, Ann (May 9, 2021). "Meet Your Mayor Supersized: Now Featuring More Candidates". THE CITY .
  19. Kim, Elizabeth (June 10, 2021). "A Recap Of The Best NYC Mayoral Debate So Far". Gothamist.
  20. Kim, Elizabeth; Hogan, Gwynee (June 3, 2021). "NYC's Second Mayoral Debate Brings A Lively Pre-Show To The Streets, Followed By Sharp Attacks On Stage". Gothamist.
  21. Gay, Mara (June 16, 2021). "Opinion - In New York City, Democracy Is a One-Party Affair". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021.
  22. Obasi, Chinyere (June 18, 2021). "The 2021 New York City Mayoral Primary". Harvard Political Review .
  23. Thomas, Roderick (June 9, 2021). "Paperboy is a candidate to be taken seriously". Red Hook Star-Revue.
  24. Fiala, George (May 5, 2021). "Star-Revue Endorsements: Garcia and Prince for Mayor". Red Hook Star-Revue.
  25. Noah, Trevor (May 12, 2021). "Who's Running in the NYC Mayoral Race?". youtube.com. The Daily Show.
  26. The City. "Meet Your Mayor: Paperboy Prince". The City.
  27. "Citywide Recap by Boroughs and Parties - All Ballot Types: Primary Election 2021 – 06/22/2021" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  28. Ricciulli, Valeria (November 24, 2021). "How Is Paperboy Love Prince Possibly Running for Congress in 11 Districts?". Curbed.
  29. Mehic, Ben (June 2, 2016). "Washington Wizards Fan, Artist Paperboy Prince Hopes To Raise $20 Million For Kevin Durant To Come Home". Wiz of Awes.
  30. Needham, Alex; Chen, Lizzie (March 20, 2016). "SXSW: 'It's pretty much the same mess it was last year'". The Guardian .
  31. Chandler, D.L. (October 17, 2017). "Azealia Banks Signs DMV Rapper Paperboy The Prince". Hip-Hop Wired.
  32. Myers, Owen (October 7, 2020). "The Thought Leaders Issue: Paperboy Prince". V Magazine .
  33. "June 23 2020 Primary Election Results" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections . Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  34. "Justice Democrats | It's #OurTime". justicedemocrats.com.

Further reading