Zohran Mamdani still vague on plan to decriminalize prostitution — as critics blast NYC mayoral frontrunner’s wishy-washy streak

Johns for Mam?

Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, currently leading in polls, has yet to determine his position on the decriminalization of prostitution, his campaign team stated on Tuesday—marking another instance of indecision from the Democratic socialist just six weeks ahead of November’s elections.

Mamdani defended his advocacy for decriminalizing sex work in response to criticism from opponents during a Monday event, claiming that he does not wish to fully legalize the practice, but would prefer to revert to former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s guidelines, which involved not arresting or prosecuting sex workers.

However, the socialist left it ambiguous whether his lax approach would also involve treating pimps and clients differently.

“We haven’t made a decision on that yet,” campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec remarked on Tuesday.

Mamdani’s unclear position on sex work aligns with observations from political analysts who say he has developed a pattern of avoiding direct answers in favor of vague language—leaving New Yorkers uncertain about his future actions if he assumes office.

The uncertainty surrounding his remarks about the NYPD being “racist” and his failure to reject certain radical policies contrasts sharply with Mamdani’s candidness regarding more extreme views, such as his belief that billionaires should not exist.

“He manages to sound intelligent while avoiding substance,” commented a Democratic strategist with experience in mayoral campaigns.

“He comes off as a congressional hopeful rather than a prospective mayor who will need to address issues with precise details. Their perception of the situation is that they understand it, but the rest of us are left seeking clarity.”

Concerns are particularly pronounced near the “Market of Sweethearts,” a well-known red-light area along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, where community members are frustrated by ongoing prostitution and questionable massage establishments.

Marcela Casteneba, 54, a worker at Buenos Aires Bakery, mentioned how a recent NYPD crackdown has deterred some sex workers, yet many others remain persistent.

“If things stay as they are now, I can’t imagine what he intends to accomplish,” she said regarding Mamdani’s calls to halt police interventions targeting sex workers.

“He ought to clarify what his plans entail.”

Mamdani has consistently supported the decriminalization of sex work and, as a state assemblymember, co-sponsored legislation aimed at eliminating criminal repercussions for certain prostitution offenses.

He reiterated on Monday that, if elected, he would implement policies consistent with former Mayor Bill de Blasio, aiming to prioritize the prosecution of traffickers over that of sex workers.

“As Mayor, Zohran will put an end to raids on sex workers and collaborate with District Attorneys to minimize unwarranted prosecutions,” Pekec stated. “This approach is not only the morally right thing to do for community safety but is also widely supported by New Yorkers.”

Pekec also indicated that Mamdani aims to reinvest $40 million into services for victims, which faced funding cuts under Mayor Eric Adams.

However, Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, cautioned that decriminalizing prostitution might lead to severe unintended consequences, even if established within a legal framework.

“If you stop arresting sex workers entirely, you risk missing out on identifying who controls them and discovering sex trafficking networks; it’s crucial to know whether you will still be prosecuting Johns, traffickers, and those shuttling them around,” she noted.

“It’s a complex issue that he doesn’t seem to fully grasp.”

City Hall reported a 36% drop in significant crimes this year in areas like Roosevelt Avenue where the NYPD increased its presence in response to complaints about blatant sex work.

“Under the Adams administration, we have adopted a victim-focused strategy: enhancing support for survivors of sex trafficking while concentrating enforcement on those who traffic individuals and procure sexual services,” stated press secretary Kayla Mamelak, adding, “This strategy has been life-saving.”

A police officer remarked that sex trafficking is likely to escalate under Mamdani’s lenient stance.

“Running a pimp business may be tough, but Mamdani is going to make it a lot easier,” quipped the officer.

Additional reporting by Hannah Fierick