Jalen Brunson, Aaron Judge and Jaxson Dart all received votes in New York City’s mayoral election, according to certified results released by the Board of Elections this week.
(Left) New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning of game four of the ALDS in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, on Oct. 8, 2025. (Center) New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 2, 2025. (Right) New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is shown at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, on Nov. 11, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images;Ed Mulholland/Imagn Images;Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
(Left) New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning of game four of the ALDS in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, on Oct. 8, 2025. (Center) New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 2, 2025. (Right) New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is shown at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, on Nov. 11, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images;Ed Mulholland/Imagn Images;Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
The write-in ballots revealed New Yorkers’ passion for their hometown sports stars, though the actual winner Zohran Mamdanisecured the position with over 1 million votes.
Jalen Brunson, Aaron Judge and Jaxson Dart among athletes on NYC mayor ballots
Brunsonled all athletes with 27 write-in votes, with an additional 2 voters unable to spell his name correctly, submitting ballots for “Jalen Bronson” and “Jaylen Brunson” according to election records. The Knicks point guard currently averages 27.7 points and 6.5 assists per game this season.
Jalen Brunson, Jaxson Dart and Aaron Judge all received votes to become New York Mayor over Zohran Mamdani, shock data reveals https://t.co/xZDfnszLvF
— Daily Mail Sport (@MailSport) December 4, 2025
Judge came in 2nd among sports figures with 11 write-in votes. The 3-time American League MVP received support despite the Yankees’ playoff disappointment, though he delivered a massive home run that helped vanquish some previous playoff demons.
Giants rookie quarterback Dart received 2 votes under the correct spelling, with another voter submitting a ballot for “Jackson Dart.” His teammate, running back Cam Skattebo, also received 2 votes.
Other notable athletes included Mets first baseman Pete Alonso with 3 votes, Yankees legend Derek Jeter with 1 vote, and Lou Gehrig with 1 vote despite dying in 1939. Former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau received 2 votes, while current teammate Josh Hart also appeared on ballots.
New York Daily News reporter Gary Phillips posted, “Saw that Aaron Judge received 11 write-in votes in the NYC mayoral election. He lost the race among NY sports figures to #Knicks PG Jalen Brunson (27 votes).”
The write-in phenomenon extended beyond hometown heroes. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, former Giants running back Saquon Barkley, and Tom Brady all received votes despite being division rivals. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith received 2 votes while pondering a political career.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred got 1 vote, as did Knicks legends Carmelo Anthony and Walt Frazier. Yankees playoff hero Cam Schlittler and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson also appeared on ballots.
Mayor-elect Mamdanisecured 1,036,051 votes, representing 50.4% of the total, defeating Andrew Cuomo’s 41.6% and Curtis Sliwa’s 7.1%. The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist captivated various voter bases, including sports fans, by vowing to fight FIFA’s predatory World Cup ticket prices and proudly declaring himself a supporter of the Knicks and Mets.
The certified results reflect a tradition where voters submit humorous or protest write-ins alongside legitimate ballots. Fran Lebowitz and Anna Wintour each received 3 and 2 votes respectively, while former President Joe Biden got 2 votes and Nancy Pelosi received 1.