Mamdani returns, swipes away Defund the Police past

With help from Amira McKee

‘OUT OF STEP:’ In a bid to reconcile his past and present, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has publicly distanced himself from his 2020 “defund the police” remarks. He attributed those sentiments to the collective outrage following George Floyd’s tragic murder. At a press conference, shortly after returning from an 11-day getaway in Uganda, Mamdani repeatedly asserted that those views were now “clearly out of step” with his current stance on policing and public safety.

His comments come in the wake of a devastating mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan—the city’s deadliest in 25 years—where four individuals, including an off-duty police officer, lost their lives. The incident has ignited a fierce debate about Mamdani’s approach to law enforcement, especially given his previous criticisms of the NYPD.

“I am not defunding the police; I am not running to defund the police,” Mamdani reiterated to reporters. “Throughout this campaign, I’ve been transparent about my views on public safety and the indispensable role of police in ensuring that safety.”

While it’s debated how much the NYPD could have intervened to prevent this tragedy—given that the shooter was an out-of-state assailant who acted swiftly—public sentiment has significantly shifted toward supporting the department in light of the recent violence. This raises pressing questions about how Mamdani would handle law enforcement should he take office, a topic POLITICO has closely monitored.

Polling indicates that Mamdani is currently leading in the Democratic primary, but navigating this election cycle will require him to maintain that momentum amidst an unpredictable political landscape. His opponents are keenly scrutinizing his relatively modest political and managerial experience, particularly as the recent tragedy tests the mettle of the democratic socialist frontrunner under pressure.

During the press conference, Mamdani aligned himself with the Bangladeshi American Police Association, honoring the memory of fallen NYPD officer Didarul Islam, and the building service workers union 32BJ, which represents Aland Etienne, another victim of the shooting.

In a familiar refrain among Democrats, he pointed to the ease of access to firearms as a significant factor in the shooting. “No matter how robust our gun laws are in this state, they are only as effective as the weakest laws in the nation,” he stated, echoing Governor Hochul’s call for nationwide assault rifle bans.

Mamdani also took aim at his rival Andrew Cuomo, criticizing the former governor for leveraging his past comments on defunding the police to gain political traction following the shooting. “We want to honor the New Yorkers who have been taken from us too soon,” he said, lamenting Cuomo’s focus on “tweets” rather than addressing the real issues at hand. Cuomo’s spokesperson defended the scrutiny, asserting that it’s essential to compare candidate positions over time.

— Jeff Coltin & Jason Beeferman

A LONG FIGHT AHEAD FOR REDISTRICTING AMENDMENT: In a politically charged morning, while Texas Republicans unveiled a potential gerrymander to create five new Republican-friendly congressional seats, New York Democrats took a more measured approach by introducing a constitutional amendment aimed at allowing mid-decade changes to their electoral maps.

However, it’s crucial not to hold your breath for any rapid changes in New York, as POLITICO Pro reports that any such amendment wouldn’t be up for approval until November 2027. Consequently, new district lines wouldn’t be effective until 2028—assuming they can navigate the inevitable legal obstacles and court challenges.

Moreover, the proposed maps must adhere to existing anti-gerrymandering regulations—so, don’t expect bizarre configurations like the merging of Staten Island with Plattsburgh, as seen elsewhere.

The amendment is likely to ignite an expensive and contentious battle at the polls if it progresses. A similar proposal to modify the redistricting process was defeated in a 2021 referendum—a year marked by mayoral races that saw a lower Democratic turnout than anticipated for 2027.

“This is the quintessential legislation to target at the ballot box,” opined state Conservative Party Chair Gerard Kassar. “It will likely galvanize voters and assist in electing other officials.”

Democrats, however, are optimistic about their preparedness for this round. “I would hope for a coordinated campaign from the national party, the state party, and other interested organizations,” Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris commented. “This has national implications, and we must rally significant support.” —Bill Mahoney

MAP FIGHT: Amid the limited options for New York Democrats to redraw House lines before the critical 2026 midterm elections, Governor Hochul indicated today that discussions about the issue are ongoing.

In a statement to Playbook, Hochul criticized the Texas GOP lawmakers for their recent redistricting maneuvers, which create five additional seats that Trump won by significant margins. “We refuse to sit idly by while Donald Trump and Texas Republicans attempt to hijack this nation’s future,” she declared. “I’ve been actively engaging with local and national leaders, and meetings are forthcoming to strategize our next actions.”

Hochul has conferred with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about New York’s redistricting, as red states like Texas and Ohio push forward with their map alterations this year. Two state lawmakers have proposed a constitutional amendment for mid-decade redistricting, but any changes won’t come in time to affect the high-stakes House races next year. — Nick Reisman

CHILD HEALTH CARE ROLLBACK: A new federal policy set to take effect in 2027 threatens to undermine health insurance coverage for over 750,000 children in New York, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Democratic governor criticized the Trump administration’s rollback of continuous Medicaid coverage, labeling it a “misguided policy” that jeopardizes the strides made in ensuring healthcare access for young children. POLITICO Pro’s Katelyn Cordero reports.

Last year, the federal government approved New York’s proposal for continuous Medicaid and Child Health Plus coverage for enrollees up to age six. However, the state is now required to roll back that policy by 2027.

Implemented under a federal waiver, New York’s continuous coverage policy guarantees healthcare access for children regardless of changes in family income. While the waiver itself won’t be revoked, Hochul’s administration received notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that it will not be renewed come 2027.

“We will employ every means at our disposal to safeguard Medicaid and Child Health Plus access for the 750,000 young children across New York State who rely on it for a healthy start,” Hochul asserted in her statement.

—Katelyn Cordero

QUIT POLITICKIN’: Senate Republicans have expressed indignation over one of Hochul’s commissioners utilizing government resources to push partisan attacks against Republicans in Washington.

“We recognize that Governor Hochul is bracing for a tough re-election, but the use of state resources to amplify partisan rhetoric must stop immediately,” the GOP state lawmakers stated in a letter to Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Guinn, appointed by Hochul in 2023, co-authored an op-ed with Democratic state Sen. Roxanne Persaud lambasting the GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Her agency, which oversees vital assistance programs, subsequently posted the opinion piece on its government website.

“If you are battling to put food on the table while also seeking employment, Republicans in Washington, including seven from New York State, imply you are on your own,” Guinn wrote, criticizing the federal bill for “cruelly slashing SNAP in ways that were previously unthinkable.”

In a separate letter sent to state lawmakers on government letterhead, she also condemned how “actions by the federal GOP will likely lead to limited benefit access,” she wrote.

While Hochul frequently employs her state communications team to critique Republicans in Congress and the White House, many unelected officials in Albany typically refrain from overt political commentary.

Senate Republicans argue that Guinn has crossed a line: “These talking points are better suited for the Democratic National Committee, not echoed by a state agency that provides essential public services,” they asserted in their letter.

Guinn’s office has not yet responded to inquiries for comment. — Jason Beeferman

— ALL AGAINST MAMDANI: Five distinct organizations are mobilizing to raise millions aimed at defeating Mamdani. (The New York Times)

— OLD VS. NEW: 26-year-old Liam Elkind is challenging 78-year-old Rep. Jerry Nadler in a primary, arguing that Nadler lacks the energy and mindset necessary for the role. (CNN)

— BRONX CASINO BID IS ALIVE: The mayor vetoed a City Council measure that many believed had definitively ended the prospects for a Bronx casino. (POLITICO Pro)

Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.