Jim Walden is the latest challenger to emerge in the race for mayor in 2025. 

“I want to hear about your challenges and your problems and I want to be the solution because I have the people, and the brain power and the expertise to really drill into the details and solve them," he told NY1.

Walden is the sixth candidate to challenge Mayor Eric Adams for the seat. Others in the race include city comptroller Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, state senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. 

Unlike the rest of the field, Walden has never held elected office, but he insisted on Friday he has a record of delivering for New Yorkers. 

“If you look at the cases, I’ve done restoring food stamps, getting back social security benefits to the mentally ill, improving the problem of public schools in the city of New York, not taking the issue of bullying seriously. I chose those cases. It wasn’t my job. I chose those cases," Walden said.

“The communities that don’t know my name or don't remember my name probably remember the work that I did for them.," he continued.

Walden filed to run for mayor on Wednesday and said he plans to loan his campaign $500,00 to start. The next filing deadline for candidates is mid-January. 

“I think that I am going to raise more than all of them combined. That’s my prediction because I have a network of people over the span of 23 years. I concede this is an untested network. But these are the same people who have been telling me to run for years.," he said. 

Walden said his coalition will consist of police officers, firefighters, public school parents and city workers — all groups he has represented in lawsuits and won.   

The campaign issues Walden plans to prioritize are creating affordable housing, increasing street safety and tackling climate change. 

Walden said he's open to running as a Democrat in the race, though he's been an independent voter for almost 20 years.

“I was a Democrat until 2006 when I left the party on principle. And I've been in the wilderness if you will of being an unaffiliated voter for 18-years, I would like to come home," he said. 

“I'm more aligned with democratic policies and democratic priorities than I am centrist Republicans," Walden continued.

Walden, who previously served as a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, wouldn't say whether he thinks Adams should resign while he fights his federal corruption indictment. 

“Mayor Adams and his team seem to be getting the ship righted. They should be given running room to continue that process," he said. 

The primary for mayor is set for June 2025.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that Walden is open to running as a Democrat but hasn't decided on a party affiliation yet.