Latest news with #NYCmayor
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Former AOC supporter condemns Zohran Mamdani's 'fantasy' proposals, says they're not feasible
A former supporter of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., says she can see through the "fantasy" that NYC mayoral candidate and self-avowed socialist Zohran Mamdani is selling. "Charismatic, handsome, and social-media savvy, Mamdani amassed an enormous following of young New Yorkers and spurred more than 50,000 volunteers to get out and canvass for him," Lucy Biggers, a former senior producer and correspondent for NowThis, a left-wing media company, wrote in a recent op-ed in The Free Press. "His promise of free bus rides, free childcare, and government-run grocery stores — and his vow to tax the rich — reminded me of another young, good-looking, charismatic Democrat who upset a heavily favored party macher nearly a decade ago: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez," Biggers added. Biggers, who calls herself a "former climate activist," on her X profile, and is now a social media editor at The Free Press, says she understands Mamdani's appeal because she was drawn to Ocasio-Cortez's similar charm. During her time as a video producer for NowThis, Biggers said she met and interviewed Ocasio-Cortez for an hour, and was completely taken by her drive, passion, and ideas. "A few weeks later, the final video was published to our millions of followers," Biggers wrote. "AOC's charisma and big smile jump off the screen as she describes her establishment Democratic opponent, Joseph Crowley, as a sellout for the real-estate industry and describes herself as part of a larger movement. Every answer was articulate without seeming rehearsed. She was warm and relatable, and her authentic belief in what she was saying shined through." Biggers says that she sees the same type of drive in Mamdani, but that her views have changed since her sit-down with Ocasio-Cortez. "I am now 35, a mother of two, and a homeowner. Like so many people before me, I have grown up, and my ideas have moderated," Biggers said. "Much of the hyperbole being thrown at Mamdani and his followers goes too far (for example, that Mamdani is a '100 percent Communist Lunatic,' as Trump put it), but I no longer think that giving the government more of our money to run 'free programs' for us is the right way to do things," she added. "Just spend time at the DMV and tell me if you want a government-run grocery store, as Mamdani is proposing." She pointed out that the hearts of people like Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani "are in the right place," their ideas "are not the solutions that young people are seeking." "They have been mistakenly taught that our capitalist society is the source of all of their problems and that the only way to fix it is with more government spending," Biggers said. "Whether from lack of life experience or just pure ignorance, they fail to realize that programs offering 'free' everything have to be paid for — and nothing is free. The policies they promote will lead to a more centralized government with more power, higher taxes, and a higher cost of living." Representatives for both Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani did not respond to Fox News Digital's immediate request for comment.
Bloomberg
11-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Odd Lots: What NYC's Most Powerful CEOs Think About Zohran Mamdani
When socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic party's nomination for NYC mayor, top business leaders experienced a bout of hysteria. That's according to Kathy Wylde, the president and CEO of the non-profit organization the Partnership for New York City. Founded in 1979, the organization assembles the CEOs of some of the biggest employers in New York City in order to work on city issues. Wylde herself is often characterized as one of the ultimate NYC power brokers. In fact, she's been actively facilitating phone calls and meetings between Mamdani and the CEOs (most of whom backed Cuomo in the primary) who are anxious about what a socialist mayor would mean for the city. We talked to her about what they're most concerned about, what they want to see from Mamdani (if he wins), what could push businesses and people to move out of the city, and what they think about him after they talk.
Bloomberg
11-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
What NYC's Most Powerful CEOs Think About Zohran Mamdani
Markets Odd Lots A chat with one of the city's top power brokers Listen to Odd Lots on Apple Podcasts Listen to Odd Lots on Spotify Subscribe to the newsletter When socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic party's nomination for NYC mayor, top business leaders experienced a bout of hysteria. That's according to Kathy Wylde, the president and CEO of the non-profit organization the Partnership for New York City. Founded in 1979, the organization assembles the CEOs of some of the biggest employers in New York City in order to work on city issues. Wylde herself is often characterized as one of the ultimate NYC power brokers. In fact, she's been actively facilitating phone calls and meetings between Mamdani and the CEOs (most of whom backed Cuomo in the primary) who are anxious about what a socialist mayor would mean for the city. We talked to her about what they're most concerned about, what they want to see from Mamdani (if he wins), what could push businesses and people to move out of the city, and what they think about him after they talk.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Interview: Zohran Mamdani on taxing the rich, Democratic Party, willingness to negotiate
The Brief In a one-on-one conversation with FOX 5 NY's Morgan McKay, Zohran Mamdani responded to the lack of endorsements from major Democratic leaders, while expressing confidence in his plans to tax millionaires. Mamdani addressed concerns from business leaders and critics, including Mayor Eric Adams, by highlighting his willingness to negotiate on most issues, except those related to affordability, and his commitment to expanding his coalition. Despite criticism from some Jewish voters regarding his stance on Israel, Mamdani expressed his intent to engage with all New Yorkers and meet with Jewish leaders to address their concerns. NEW YORK - From the lack of endorsements from Democratic leadership to being labeled a "snake oil salesman" by the incumbent mayor, Zohran Mamdani's Democratic primary domination in the NYC mayoral race is anything but politics as usual. Yet the candidate, a 33-year-old self-described democratic socialist, insists that his progressive agenda shows that policies labeled as "non-starters"—like raising taxes on millionaires—are, in fact, what New Yorkers really want. While the results are not yet finalized, Mamdani's camp credits his likely victory on an enthusiastic ground game centered on listening to constituents in all five boroughs. In a conversation with FOX 5 NY's Morgan McKay, Mamdani delves into his conversations with Democratic leaders, expresses confidence in his promise to tax the rich as mayor, insists he'd be willing to negotiate with business leaders and shares plans to meet with Jewish leaders. Watch the full interview in this week's episode of Politics Unusual, in the media player above. What they're saying Mamdani says after primary election night, he received congratulatory calls from Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, but notes they have not yet issued full-out endorsements. In the interview, he didn't show concern, as he said he's noticed a "hunger" for a "different kind of politics." "I look to earn every endorsement every single day of this race. And the coalition that we have built, it is only going to expand in the days and weeks and months to come," he said. Still, he fell short of labeling the Democratic Party as "out of touch" when asked, saying he'd instead like to "listen more and lecture less." And endorsements are trickling in, including a post-election nod from Rep. Jerry Nadler, who backed. Scott Stringer in the primary. Also this week, two major trade unions, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and 32BJ SEIU, have shifted their support to Mamdani for the general election after backing former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is also another Democratic big wig to issue the congratulatory non-endorsement, balking at the idea of raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and corporations. Mamdani's big campaign promises - free child care, free buses, a rent freeze - would be largely funded by raising the corporate tax rate and income taxes for the city's millionaires by 2%. But any tax hikes would need to be implemented in conjunction with Albany. Despite this reality, Mamdani says: "In the same way that people describe raising taxes as a non-starter, they would have described this campaign as a non-starter, and here we are having won the Democratic primary before ranked choice voting was even tabulated. That's the kind of movement we're building that will deliver a more affordable city." In a recent FOX 5 NY interview, New York City power-broker Kathryn Wylde called some of Mamdani's policies "terrifying" but shared that she was "delighted" to learn that he's willing to meet with her. Mamdani agreed that he would be willing to negotiate on most items, aside from the affordability policies that buttress his campaign. "I've always appreciated the time and the back and forth because even where there is disagreement," he said of Wylde. "There's room for negotiation, there's room for compromise, but not on the outcomes of making this city more affordable," he added. Mamdani said there is "room for everyone" when asked if Cuomo should run in general election following his primary night concession. He also suggested that his certain general election opponent, Mayor Eric Adams, was projecting when he called Mamndai a "snake oil salesman." "I think ultimately, these are the words of someone who looks at the results in Bed-Stuy, who looks at the results in Harlem, who looks at the results in Washington Heights - neighborhoods that he won in 2021 in single digits - that we just won in double digits, and sees that his coalition is, in fact, becoming a new coalition, one that will actually deliver on the promises he made in 2021, not betray them like he did over the last four years," he said. Some Jewish voters, an important voting bloc in the city, have criticized Mamdani's support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and his use of the term "genocide" to describe Israel's war on Gaza, according to the Associated Press. Mamdani insisted that he want to "respect and respond to each and every Jewish New Yorker and New York at large" and that they are "not just looking to represent those that voted for me or just those that vote for Andrew Cuomo or those that even don't vote at all. Ultimately I want to represent all New Yorkers." He also said he was committed to meeting Jewish leaders who may have concerns about the election. The Source This article uses reporting from McKay's interview with Mamdani, comments from other leaders and the Associated Press.
CBS News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Andrew Cuomo on his approach to President Trump, e-bikes and more in the NYC mayor's race
Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor now running for mayor of New York City, has a long resume of public service and accomplishments, which he hopes will outweigh the scandals that ended his governorship in Tuesday's Democratic primary. In the final days of early voting, most polls say Cuomo is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination and that Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is his greatest threat in the party's crowded field of candidates. "Traumatic" COVID briefings Cuomo reentered the political fray after resigning as the Empire State governor in 2021 amid scandals involving sexual harassment and COVID deaths in nursing homes, which he is also accused of lying to Congress about. He has denied the allegations and defended his administration's handling of the pandemic. Appearing Sunday on CBS News New York's "The Point with Marcia Kramer, Cuomo said his daily coronavirus briefings, which often went viral, marked a "traumatic" time for him as governor. "I don't know that I've even fully recovered from that period of time. It was so frightening, it was so traumatic," he said. Andrew Cuomo, the former governor and a candidate for NYC mayor, appears on "The Point with Marcia Kramer" before the 2025 Democratic primary. CBS News New York "I'd sit in these briefings and they would say millions are going to die," he added. Cuomo's actions as governor have been a focal point of his Democratic opponents' campaigns too. The candidates jumped at opportunities to challenge his record in the first and second debates. Relationship with President Trump Cuomo believes his past relationship with President Trump would benefit New Yorkers, but says the president must first be willing to help them. "I've dealt with President Trump. I think he has a respect for me and for New York. I think that's important. I don't think he wants to pick a fight that he can't handle, and he knows when he fights with New York, it gets very difficult very quickly," he said. "First order of business is do no harm, and I'm afraid of what he's going to do with the budget. I'm afraid of what he's going to do with immigrants because that is working for him politically," he added. "And by the way, it's the only thing that's working for him politically." As governor during Mr. Trump's first term, Cuomo said he and the president had disagreements, but also found common ground. "We had a number of fights during COVID, etc. On the flip side, there were situations where I went to him and I asked for help," he said. "I asked for help to rebuild the train tunnels going across the Hudson River, etc. I think there are infrastructure projects that he could help with, if he was interested." E-bike regulations and safety E-bike safety has become one of the key issues in the mayoral campaign, amid some calls for new speed limits and to require licenses. Cuomo's campaign has leaned into his experience as governor from 2011-2021 and President Clinton's second housing and urban development secretary. One thing he did not do as governor, but would like to as mayor, is regulate e-bikes in the city, he said. "If I had to do it all over again, Monday morning quarterback, we passed it on the state level, we left it up to the localities to regulate," he said. "New York City has not effectively regulated the e-bikes. Surprise, surprise." Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection as an independent, has proposed a 15 mph speed limit on e-bikes and e-scooters. "The deliveristas, first of all, are the people who are trying to make a living. They have to be protected and their rights have to be protected. But these apps are making billions of dollars, and I want to make the apps responsible for licensing the bikes so there can be law enforcement," Cuomo added. "Let the app be responsible for the tickets and then if there's a bike, an operator, that has a high number of tickets and violations, that is on the app." Democratic mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo (L) shakes hands with Zohran Mamdani (C) as Whitney Tilson reacts after participating in a Democratic mayoral primary debate in New York on June 4, 2025. YUKI IWAMURA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Mamdani has also proposed regulating delivery apps and holding them accountable for treating workers fairly, as well as measures to improve safety for bike riders. Cuomo said whatever new rules come to be, they won't matter unless they're enforced. "The poor people on Citi Bikes, those Citi Bikes can only go about 18 mph. They have e-bikes that are doing 30-35 mph going past them. So we need rules enforced. You can't be on the sidewalk and on the street and going against traffic," he said. New York's primary election is Tuesday, June 24. Click here to find your polling place. Click here to watch the full interview with Cuomo.
