The bureaucrat with a deep wealth of experience, a dense and detailed policy platform, and monied allies supporting his campaign hasn’t broken through to voters in a crowded field as he seeks to replace the term-limited Mayor Bill de Blasio.ĭonovan entered the race banking on the combination of his Obama ties, deep government experience, thoughtful and detailed policy plans, and positioning himself as the “change candidate” best juxtaposed with de Blasio, who is seen by many as having been in over his head as mayor, a bad manager, and too political. But Shaun Donovan, an eight-year member of President Barack Obama’s cabinet and former department head under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, remains near the bottom in the Democratic primary field in this year’s New York City mayoral race. He has experience with building housing and reducing homelessness, among the most pressing issues affecting life in New York City. He has worked on large and complicated budget matters. He has responded to major health and environmental crises. Shaun Donovan, seated, with President Obama (photo: The White House, by Pete Souza)

Shaun donovan