Zohran Mamdani missing in Albany as he campaigns for NYC mayor, was absent for whopping 50% of Assembly votes
ALBANY – Socialist Democrat Zohran Mamdani has been MIA from the state Capitol as he campaigns for New York City mayor — missing a whopping more than 50% of votes in the Assembly.
The Queens pol has been absent for 231 roll call votes so far this year — more than any other member of the state Assembly, according to tallies reviewed by The Post.
That number marked just over half of the total votes held by the lower chamber of the Legislature as of Tuesday.
The records show that Mamdani — who announced his candidacy for the Democratic mayoral nomination in late October — hasn't made a roll call vote in the Assembly since the state budget was passed on May 8.
The chamber has had 11 voting business days in that time — none of which included the far-left pol's voice.
'Some people take their jobs seriously, others don't,' one Democratic lawmaker, who asked to remain anonymous, quipped.
Other state lawmakers who are also running for the Democratic nod have missed a considerable number of votes, too, though fewer than Mamdani.
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) missed about 49% of votes, the most of any representative in his chamber.
Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has missed every Assembly roll call vote since the state budget was passed on May 8.
Michael Nigro
And State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) has missed the third most votes in the senate with a 27% absence rate.
Mamdani's truancy is especially noteworthy as Assembly lawmakers have the ability to cast votes remotely through a videoconferencing setup introduced during the COViD-19 pandemic.
He has taken advantage of his remote-voting ability — including on a controversial measure to authorize physician-assisted suicide in April — but its unclear exactly how many of the votes he actually made were done via video.
Assembly rules state that members can only vote remotely during situations such as 'disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or any other significant or unexpected factor.'
Mamdani's spokesperson said the lefty politician has continued to push legislation from afar, such as a new bill that would require utility companies to notify customers when making a bid with the state to change their rates.
His office also pointed to as proof of Mamdani doing his job events that he's held for constituents, including to support asylum seekers, and holding meetings with various groups from his district.
'Zohran became a top tier candidate for NYC mayor while maintaining a near perfect attendance record through the conclusion of the weeks-delayed New York State Budget,' Mamdani campaign spokesperson Andrew Epstein said in a statement.
'Since then, he has spent most of his time talking to voters across the five boroughs while continuing to maintain fully operational and effective Albany and district offices, cosponsoring legislation, marshaling bipartisan legislation taking on ConEd through committee, and addressing constituent concerns,' Epstein said.
Assembly lawmakers can vote remotely under special circumstances.
Hans Pennink
State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens), whose district overlaps with Mamdani's, came to the fellow Queens pol's defense over his absences.
'I know Zohran has continued to work hard for his district even while running a very active citywide campaign,' Gianaris said. 'My office interacts with his frequently on issues important to our shared constituents and that has not slowed down at all.'
But Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Nassau) — who has perfect attendance — made a dig at Mamdani's absences.
'I didn't realize he hasn't been there honestly,' Ra remarked.
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