Barbara Kavovit of ‘Real Housewives’ fame enters NYC mayoral race
A former regular on “Real Housewives of New York City” has her eye on Gracie Mansion.
Bronx-born businesswoman Barbara Kavovit is running for mayor, adding a reality-show twist to an already unusual campaign season.
“There seems to be a lack of real-world experience by our current politicians and while they didn’t create our current crisis, there seems to be no plan at leading us out of it,” she said in a Tuesday statement.
The first-time candidate, who appeared on Bravo TV’s “Real Housewives” in 2019, plans to focus on the economy and public safety on the campaign trail.
“We need to reform and rebuild the NYPD if we are ever to find the balance of trust and safety between our communities and the police,” she stated. “We need a more inclusive economy that creates opportunity and equity for all.”
On “Real Housewives,” she was known as a friend of cast member Luann de Lesseps and subject of an ill-fated makeover attempt by Ramona Singer.
Prior to that, Kavovit founded Evergreen Construction, which she described as “one of New York City’s largest female-owned commercial construction companies.”
“Being in a tough, male-dominated industry had many challenges, especially not being particularly welcoming to females, but growing up in the Bronx taught me to fight hard and never stop for what I’m really passionate about,” stated Kavovit, who now lives on the Upper East Side.
“I know something about overcoming adversity, creating opportunity and building something out of nothing — both for myself and those around me,” she added. “And that’s why I’m running for Mayor of New York City.”
She faces tough competition in the June Democratic primary including: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams; ex-Bloomberg and Obama big Shaun Donovan; de Blasio’s former sanitation commissioner, Kathryn Garcia; Brooklyn City Councilman Carlos Menchaca; former Citigroup executive Ray McGuire; ex-nonprofit CEO Dianne Morales; city Comptroller Scott Stringer; de Blasio’s former veterans’ affairs commissioner, Loree Sutton; and businessman Andrew Yang.
