New York City, USA: Ronny Jaramillo and Dana Morrissey own and operate a handful of small restaurants across south and central Brooklyn – among them Chela, a Mexican restaurant, and Bar Chuzo, a “Latin bistro and cocktail bar”. But in recent years, they have faced mounting hurdles amid surging rents and floods.

They are watching the mayoral election closely because they feel New York City is becoming a harder environment for small businesses like theirs.

“New York City is a city that sells the American dream. But right now, it does not feel that way. I don’t feel like New York City is welcoming business owners, [or] protecting businesses to grow, and to employ more people. I don’t think that’s the environment right now,” Jaramillo told Al Jazeera.

Early voting has already begun in New

See Full Page