NEW YORK, NY (June 9, 2026) — Citizens Union Foundation today announced the launch of Searchlight, a policy and opinion platform dedicated to advancing bold ideas, serious debate, and practical solutions for the challenges facing New York City and New York State.

Searchlight will bring together journalists, academics, elected officials, civic leaders, and policy experts to offer analysis and policy proposals on the issues shaping public life. The platform is nonpartisan and ideologically diverse by design. Its mission is not to advance a single viewpoint, but to create a forum where ideas from across the political spectrum can be examined, debated, and tested.

For the inaugural edition, the online journal features original contributions from candidates in New York’s most closely watched congressional and statewide primaries.

Searchlight will be edited by Robert A. George, a veteran journalist, opinion writer and editor who has served on the editorial boards of the New York Post, New York Daily News, and Bloomberg Opinion. Each week, George will curate and share original Searchlight columns from contributors and write a weekly newsletter showcasing the pieces alongside the best New York-focused policy and politics coverage from across the web.

Searchlight is made possible through the generous support of the George S. Kaufman Charitable Foundation.

“At a time the public arena feels more fractured than ever, New Yorkers need a forum grounded in facts, focused on policy rather than politics, and committed to the common good. That’s exactly what Searchlight will be,” said John Avlon, Board Chairman, Citizens Union Foundation. “This will offer a new home for the kind of robust policy conversation New York needs to win the competition with other cities and states. We’re thrilled that this initiative will be led by Robert A. George, who brings an independent-minded understanding of New York policy and government, along with his sharp wit, to Searchlight.”

Searchlight was first launched by Citizens Union in 1911 as a newsletter to inform New Yorkers about their government and public policy. The brand has existed in different forms over the years, including on TV and radio. In the late 1990s, Searchlight evolved into the Gotham Gazette, Citizens Union Foundation’s award-winning news publication. For more than twenty years, Gotham Gazette served as a trusted source of in-depth reporting and analysis on the decisions and debates shaping New York City and State government.

“By reviving Searchlight we’re building a platform that doesn’t just inform New Yorkers about policy solutions, but invites them into the conversation. A strong democracy requires engaged and informed citizens, and Searchlight exists to help create more of them,” said Grace Rauh, executive director of Citizens Union Foundation.

“New York has never had a shortage of opinions. What it needs is a place where those opinions are backed by evidence, challenged by competing ideas, and held to a high standard. I’m honored to be leading this new initiative at Citizens Union Foundation,” said Robert A. George, editor of Searchlight.

The launch edition features contributions from candidates in NY-7, NY-10 and NY-12, as well as competing perspectives from candidates in the State Comptroller’s race — making Searchlight an immediate resource for voters ahead of the June 23 primary.

To subscribe or learn more, visit searchlight.citizensunion.org