Boca mayor relishing chance for New York businesses if Zohran Mamdani wins mayoral election
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer says a victory by Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election in November could open the gates for a massive surge of businesses to his city, the southernmost in Palm Beach County.
Mamdani, who is running as a Democrat, but is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is campaigning on promises that aren't popular among the many big businesses that line the skyline of Manhattan.
'New York is not going to be the capital of capitalism anymore,' Singer told The New York Post. "I've pitched them on moving their corporate headquarters. We already have financial services firms with a strong presence here,' Singer, the city's Republican mayor since 2018, said of the businesses he says he has spoken with recently.
➤ Access The Palm Beach Post on the go with the app: Our app offers a personalized experience to your liking. Download our app to personalize your news alerts, swipe and scroll through stories faster, and bookmark them to save and read later.
Boca Raton, with an estimated population of 102,238 based on the 2024 U.S. Census, is the second largest city in Palm Beach County and 23rd largest in Florida. It initially was established as a resort town, but has since evolved into a popular wealthy destination spot for young families, shopping and corporations.
Office Depot has its global headquarters on a 28-acre campus in the city and The GEO Group, Vitacost, YACHTICO and Celsius Holdings are also based in Boca Raton.
In November, Mamdani will square off against incumbent Eric Adams, who was elected mayor on the Democratic Party line in 2021, but is seeking re-election as an independent. He was indicted on federal corruption charges in September 2024 and has faced calls to resign from office. The Department of Justice ordered charges dropped against him and the case has since been dismissed.
Mandami has pitched a controversial platform that includes fare-free city buses, public child care, rent freezes in some instances, comprehensive public safety reform and a $30 minimum wage by 2030. The big thing that has rankled business leaders and the wealthy is his support of tax increases on corporations and those earning above $1 million annually.
One day after the primary election, at least one South Florida developer said he and his properties told The Palm Beach Post he had received calls from people in New Jersey, Manhattan and Connecticut who are interested in moving to Florida.
"Obviously, what they see happening makes them nervous and they want to plan their future and have peace of mind," Isaac Toledano, CEO and co-founder of BH Group, which is working with the Miami-based Related Group to build the Ritz Carlton Residences in West Palm Beach. "I think the rush is going to start now because the unknown is something people don't like."
Local Realtors who deal in high-end properties said their phones are also ringing with people surprised about the result of the primary election and interested in potentially buying in Florida.
BOCA RATON NEWS: Check out the renderings for city's $20 million indoor pickleball and padel complex
BOCA RATON NEWS: City considers scaled-back downtown plan with fewer homes, more green space
"Local politics matter, almost more than national politics, and if local is going to a more socialist form of government, you could lose some of your really wealthy taxpayers," said Nathan Zeder, co-founder of the Jills Zeder Group in Miami. "The calls and texts, the response yesterday, was way more than what I anticipated."
The son of academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, Mamdani, 33, came to the United States with his family when he was seven years old and settled in New York City.
Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Kimberly Miller contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton mayor says Zohran Mamdani win will open door for his city
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Court Reserves Judgement on both Judicial Review Petition and Injunction Application Relating to Mount Polley Tailings Storage Facility
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Metals Corporation (TSX:III) (the 'Company' or 'Imperial') announces that, further to the Company's news release dated May 9, 2025, following a four-day hearing, the Supreme Court of British Columbia has reserved judgment on the judicial review petition and injunction application filed by the Xatśūll First Nation ('Xatśūll') that challenged two provincial decisions authorizing a four-metre raise of the tailings storage facility embankment at the Mount Polley mine (the 'TSF Raise') until the Court issues its reasons for decision, expected on August 6, 2025. MPMC is permitted to continue construction of the four-metre raise as planned and operations at the mine continue in accordance with the permits granted by the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals and the Environmental Assessment Office. In the interim, MPMC has provided a voluntary undertaking to refrain from depositing tailings that rely on the TSF Raise until August 7, 2025 to allow the Court time to consider the matter. The petition and injunction were heard together on June 24-27, 2025. At the hearing, counsel for Mount Polley Mining Corporation ('MPMC'), Imperial's wholly owned subsidiary, and counsel for the Province of British Columbia argued the decisions are valid and were issued through the proper process with adequate consultation. Imperial and MPMC are committed to transparent engagement with Indigenous communities and environmental responsibility. Maintaining a meaningful relationship with Xatśūll and Williams Lake First Nation is important to the Company, including supporting sustainable development through meaningful dialogue. 'We appreciate the Court taking its time to carefully consider this matter and await its decision on the interlocutory injunction application and petition. We are committed to working collaboratively with Xatśūll and other Indigenous communities to address their concerns,' stated Brian Kynoch, President of Imperial. 'Our goal is to ensure that all operations at Mount Polley mine are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner that respects the rights of Indigenous peoples.' Imperial and MPMC will continue to work with provincial regulators and Indigenous communities to ensure future actions align with regulatory requirements and community expectations. About Imperial Imperial is a Vancouver-based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), and the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 greenfield exploration properties in British Columbia. Imperial Contacts Brian Kynoch | President | 604.669.8959Darb S. Dhillon | Chief Financial Officer | 604.669.8959 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this news release are not statements of historical fact and are 'forward-looking' statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Imperial management's expectations or beliefs regarding future events, and include, but are not limited to statements regarding: Imperial's expectations and timing with respect to the construction and operation of the tailings storage facility at the Mount Polley mine, including the four-meter lift currently under construction; the anticipated progress and outcome of any remaining or future legal or regulatory processes; the possibility that future legal or regulatory developments could result in material changes to the provincial permitting process; the Company's and MPMC's expectations regarding their relationships with Indigenous communities, including Xatśūll; expectations regarding ongoing engagement with Xatśūll and other Indigenous communities during the permitting process; and other risks outlined in statements made by Imperial from time to time in the filings made by Imperial with securities regulators. Imperial disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is expected', 'is targeted', 'targets', 'outlook', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates' or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved" or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Imperial to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, Imperial has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on information currently available to Imperial as well as Imperial's current beliefs and assumptions. These factors and assumptions and beliefs and assumptions include, the risk factors detailed from time to time in Imperial's interim and annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis of those statements, and the Company's current Annual Information Form, all of which are filed and available for review on SEDAR+ at Although Imperial has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, many of which are beyond Imperial's ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements and all forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Zohran Mamdani Defends Agenda Amid Democrat Pushback
Ever since New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's sweeping victory in the Democratic mayoral primary, it became clear that New York was only the first part of his political battle. Mamdani has faced criticism—not just from Republicans, but from within his own party. More centrist Democrats in both New York politics and in Congress have labeled him 'too extreme.' The 33-year-old ran on a platform focused on affordability issues for New Yorkers: freezing rent, making buses fare-free, creating a network of city-owned grocery stores, and offering free childcare for any resident with children between 6 weeks to 5 years old. These proposals resonated strongly with younger voters considering their future in an increasingly unaffordable city. More than half of New York families with children age 4 or under cannot afford child care, and grocery prices have soared 50 percent in recent years. Among Democrats and moderates however, his policies have made raised concerns over economic viability. Representative Laura Gillen, a centrist Democrat in Congress representing part of Long Island, told TIME that Mamdani's proposals are not fiscally sound. 'Saying things like 'we're going to give away free everything' is not realistic, and it's not the direction the Democratic Party should go in,' she said. 'They should find ways to make people's lives affordable in tangible ways, and say we will reach across the aisle to do that.' In response, Mamdani has emphasized how he intends to fund his policy agenda—a tax on New York's top 2% of earners, and raising the corporate tax to match New Jersey's 11.5%. 'It's not fiscal policy, it's quality of life [that forces top 1% New Yorkers to move away],' Zohran told Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, citing a 2023 Fiscal Policy Institute study showing that the top 1% of New Yorkers leave at a quarter of the rate of other income groups. When they do leave, he added, it is often to other states with high tax rates, such as New Jersey and California. 'And ultimately, the reason I want to increase these taxes on the top 1% the most profitable corporations, is to increase quality of life for everyone, including those who are going to be taxed.' Democratic strategists in Washington are closely monitoring Mamdani's rise. While some warn that his brand of progressive populism could alienate moderate voters, others argue that his appeal to working-class and immigrant communities—especially in a high-turnout primary—offers a glimpse of how Democrats might reenergize a disillusioned base. Read more: What Will Really Happen if New York City Goes Socialist Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York also weighed in last week, criticizing Mamdani during an appearance on The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC. Asked about 'the threats facing the Jewish community from Zohran Mamdani,' she cited his refusal to denounce the phrase 'globalize the intifada,' and erroneously claimed that Mamdani referenced the word 'jihad'. Her communications director later clarified on X that Gillibrand had misspoken. Mamdani has been sharply critical of the Israeli government throughout his campaign and vocal in his support for Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Gaza War. His refusal to denounce the phrase 'globalize the intifada'—a slogan historically associated with Palestinian uprisings—has drawn intense scrutiny. Critics argue that the phrase may incite antisemitic violence; Mamdani has countered that such interpretations are misguided. In his interview with Welker, Mamdani reiterated that the phrase is 'not the language that I use,' while adding that 'we have to root out that bigotry' from politics. 'I've heard those fears [of antisemitism], and I've had those conversations, and ultimately, they are part and parcel of why in my campaign,' he said. 'I've put forward a commitment to increase funding for anti-hate-crime programming by 800 percent.' Mamdani has not received endorsement from prominent establishment Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries. He has however garnered support from more progressive Congresspeople, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, representing a schism in the Democratic party. 'I think the cost-of-living message that national Democrats maybe have gotten away from too much, that [Mamdani] really foregrounded in his campaign, is the best way to reach into these pockets,' political strategist and researcher Michael Lange said of Mamdani's success in an interview with the New York Magazine. Mamdani continued his media push over the weekend, defending his platform and tone across multiple outlets with a message that emphasized optimism and inclusion. On MSNBC, Mamdani was asked whether he had spoken to Sen. Gillibrand after his win, and how he had dealt with Islamophobic attacks from all sides in the aftermath of his win. 'I spoke to Senator Gillibrand soon after the victory on Tuesday evening and the comments that I've heard, especially from Republicans across the country and even the comments prior, during the primary, were comments that were both unsurprising and yet still quite sad, because they showcase what politics has become for so many,' he said. 'It's a language of darkness and a language of exclusion, and what has kept me hopeful through this is that our vision is one where every New Yorker belongs.' Read more: Meet Rama Duwaji, the Illustrator Who Met Zohran Mamdani on Hinge—and May Become NYC's First Lady He noted a significant increase in turnout compared to the 2021 primary, with notably higher participation among young people, immigrant voters, and voters of color. Mamdani ultimately defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a fixture of New York's political establishment. He pointed specifically to previously disengaged Asian and Hispanic voter communities and many New Yorkers who he says 'saw themselves' in his politics. 'He was capturing younger voter energy across all races and classes, native New Yorkers, non-native New Yorkers, in a way that the candidates in 2021 just were not doing,' Lange explained. 'And that also extended to rent-stabilized tenants and to South Asian and Muslim voters.' On Meet the Press, Mamdani was asked whether the Democratic establishment fears him. Mamdani said that by bringing his policies back to 'working Americans' and an economics-based policies, this is how he was able to win over New Yorkers. Contact us at letters@
Miami Herald
32 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Would Byron Donalds differ from DeSantis as governor? Here's what he told us
President Donald Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for Florida governor about a week before Donalds even announced that he would be campaigning for the state's top office. 'RUN, BYRON, RUN!' Trump posted on social media in February. Thus Donalds' campaign began over a year before Election Day. Donalds, a Republican, is polling at about a five-point lead over David Jolly, the most notable Democratic candidate, with about a third of voters still undecided, according to the polling firm Victory Insights. And the possibility of Casey DeSantis challenging him in a Republican primary is beginning to fade, according to lobbyists and consultants. A Brooklyn native who came to the Sunshine State more than 20 years ago to study at Florida A&M University and Florida State University, Donalds has been involved in Florida politics for about a decade. The first race he won was a state House seat in 2016, representing a coastal district near Fort Myers, and he was reelected there in 2018. During that time, Donalds was known as a firm Trump supporter. He was elected to Congress in 2020 and has since been reelected twice. While in D.C., he has aligned himself with the ultraconservative Tea Party caucus, voting hardline MAGA — though Gov. Ron DeSantis accused Donalds in 2023 of siding with then-Vice President Kamala Harris after Donalds criticized statewide education standards that had Florida students being taught that American slaves learned useful skills. Donalds, who is Black, called them 'wrong' on social media and said they needed adjustment. Donalds later endorsed Trump over DeSantis during the 2024 presidential election cycle. Only about half of Floridians recognize Donalds' name — up from a third in February, before he announced his campaign. Who would he be as Florida's governor? The Miami Herald sat down with him to find out. What follows are exchanges from Donalds' interview with the Herald, edited for brevity and clarity. Q: You launched your campaign fairly early. How do you keep people interested in your candidacy over the next 14 months prior to the primary? A: It's really about continuing to add people to your coalition. [Our campaign's] been fortunate to really be in just about every part of our state. We're going to continue to travel the state. And wherever we go to, whether it's CPAC Latino, business owners throughout our state, nonprofits, religious groups — people have been excited. I think that it's just one day at a time. You keep working hard, and it all comes together. Q: Did you time the launch of your campaign and Trump's endorsement to get ahead of potential competitors, like Casey DeSantis? A: No, that was not what happened. The president endorsed and then I was like, oh, all right, I guess we're running for governor. I had been thinking about running, and you have a bunch of different timelines of when you announce. The president's endorsement pretty much changed all that. Q: Is the Democratic Party in Florida dead? Is your only concern during this campaign a Republican primary? A: Yeah, they're pretty much dead. But that doesn't mean you ignore them and take your foot off the gas. Q: What do Floridians want from their next governor? What is the issue or issues they most care about? A: Right now, obviously, people are concerned about insurance. A lot of sticker shock around there. People want to talk about transportation — how am I getting around the state? How might we get some of the traffic off the roads? But overall, as I travel the state, people are happy with Florida. They want it to continue, so their biggest thing is, are we going to keep moving on the same path? Florida is going to remain the free state of Florida. We're going to keep people safe. We're going to make sure kids are getting a quality education. One of the things I focus on is helping children in our state become proficient in core subject matter. About 30% of our kids are proficient in math and reading. We need to raise that bar [to] 50%. If you're proficient in core subjects, now you're even more ready to take on the challenges of the world. We're preparing the future of Florida. Q: Are there any ways that your administration would be different than a DeSantis administration? A: Look, when it comes to policy, the governor and I don't really have disagreements. … I think it's more about careers. The governor was an attorney. I'm a man of finance. So I think it's just a different way of going about your business, but in terms of policy outcomes and political stances, there's not going to be much change. Q: As a former state lawmaker, what are your thoughts on the struggle between DeSantis and the Legislature this past session? A: Every session's different. What most people don't understand is that there are usually conflicts between the governor and the Legislature. It happens a lot more than people realize. It's really just maintaining open lines of communication with House and Senate leadership and really trying to do the early work of trying to get on the same page, really understanding what everybody's priorities and positions are. And just being professional and working through that on a step-by-step basis. Q: If you were to be elected, you would be the first Black Republican governor in the modern history of the party. What do you think that signals for the party? A: Our party is growing. People are far more diverse, but not just diversity for diversity's sake. We are still a party built on ideals. Strong ideas of individual liberty, human freedom, economic growth, sound policy, safe streets and children being educated. Those are principles that whether you're Black, whether you're Cuban, whether you're Puerto Rican or Dominican — you can agree with that. These are the philosophies that build families and maintain strong cultures. That's why I think you see more Black people coming to the Republican Party. They're sick of the dogma and the terrible policies. And the broken promises … [Democrats] never have real solutions. I think people are tired of it. What they're looking at in Republicans is people who are no nonsense. You may agree with us, you may disagree with us, but you're going to get a straight answer. … At the end of the day, people respect that. That's why you're seeing more minorities choose the Republican Party. Q: GOP members of Congress in Miami have called on the Trump administration to be more discerning as it seeks to deport immigrants in the country illegally. Do you agree with that position? A: No, I think the way the president is moving, it's going to continue. Let's be very clear: We have to be consistent when it comes to dealing with immigration law. What we want is more legal immigration, people who come in the right way. What Joe Biden allowed was anarchy, and that anarchy is going to create chaos. It's unfortunate this is what happens when you have terrible policy from the Democratic Party. The first thing: You've got to secure the border. [Trump] has done that. When it comes to deportations, obviously starting with criminal and illegal aliens, and then other people in the country illegally — yes, a lot of people are going to have to go home because we took on more than 10 million people. Our budgets are overwhelmed in every city in America. … We have to do the right thing, which is reset the table. And then we can work on letting people come into the country legally, to be able to come and work in America, if that's what they choose to do, or assimilate in America and become citizens. Q: Any thoughts on Alligator Alcatraz? A: I think the concept is good. Where we are right now, a lot of the county jails are overwhelmed. You have to have a release valve. That's what the governor and the attorney general are doing about that. But I think it's a temporary matter because … when we pass the 'Big Beautiful Bill' in Washington, it's going to give [Trump border czar] Tom Homan and [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem the resources they need. So it will alleviate the backfill that's happening currently with our sheriffs in Florida.
