Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is making his mark early with his top staff picks for his upcoming administration. The choices he has made so far paint a clear picture of what his leadership style will be like – a blend of supposedly moderate individuals from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s team, along with a selection of outright radicals from the hard-left movement across the country.
While some of Mamdani’s picks may come from de Blasio’s administration, they are far from moderate. Take, for example, Jahmila Edwards, who will be heading the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations. With a decade-long background at the municipal-worker union DC 37, her decisions will likely prioritize the interests of city employees above all else.
On the other hand, Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who was initially chosen as the director of appointments, withdrew her nomination after her history of antisemitic and anti-police tweets came to light. This incident serves as a reminder that past service under de Blasio does not guarantee a clean record.
In a recent announcement, Mamdani appointed Julie Su as the deputy mayor for economic justice. Su, a pro-union progressive, faced criticism for overseeing billions in fraud in California’s unemployment benefits system. Her nomination for President Joe Biden’s Labor secretary was blocked by moderate Democrats who deemed her too radical.
Furthermore, reports suggest that Mamdani is considering lawyer Ramzi Kassem and Steven Banks for key legal advisory roles. Kassem has defended individuals with extremist ties, while Banks, a self-proclaimed “social justice attorney,” oversaw a significant increase in spending to address homelessness during his tenure as de Blasio’s homeless czar.
Despite initial speculations about retaining certain members of Eric Adams’ team, such as city-planning expert Dan Garodnick, Mamdani seems to be veering towards a more left-leaning direction. Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, who played a pivotal role in Adams’ recent accomplishments, has been asked to leave.
One glimmer of hope amidst the radical lineup is Mamdani’s ability to convince Jessica Tisch to stay on as police commissioner. However, given Mamdani’s history of anti-cop rhetoric, Tisch’s tenure may be short-lived.
As Mamdani assembles his team, it is evident that his City Hall administration will lean further left than de Blasio’s. With a focus on socialist ideals and ambitious plans for the city, it remains to be seen how a pragmatic figure like Tisch will navigate this new landscape.
