New super PAC launches anti-Mamdani ad push amid criticism over pro-Palestinian stance
NEW YORK — A group of executives in New York's finance, law and communications sectors has launched a new super PAC to oppose Zohran Mamdani's mayoral run, kicking off with an ad accusing the socialist of pushing to 'defund the police' amid an increase in pro-Palestinian protests in the city.
The PAC, called Sensible City, Inc., disclosed in filings released Tuesday it has raised $211,000 so far to oppose Mamdani, who has consistently polled as the runner-up to Andrew Cuomo, the favorite to win the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary.
The ad's focus on pro-Palestinian protests comes as Cuomo and other moderate Democrats have accused Mamdani of aligning himself with antisemitic causes due to his outspoken criticism of Israel's war in Gaza.
Mamdani has rejected those accusations as politically motivated, saying he's adamant about fighting all forms of hate. Asked if he recognizes Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, Mamdani has said Israel has a right to exist as a state with 'equal rights for all.'
The PAC was launched by Alan Sash and Daniel Horwitz, partners at two prominent New York law firms, as well as investor Eric Eve and PR professional Lisa Wolford, paperwork shows.
The largest single donation to the PAC to date came from Rob Stavis, a partner of Bessemer, a venture capital firm, who gave $100,000. Other contributors include Eagle Capital Management founder Ravenel Curry, who gave $50,000, and designer Danyelle Freeman, who also gave $50,000.
Filings show the PAC has already plunked down $100,524 on airing the new ad slamming Mamdani. The ad started going out on digital platforms over the weekend.
'It doesn't stop: day after day, streets blocked, demonstrations, some calling for killing, destruction, it's not safe. Institution walls defaced with symbols to remind us of what can happen only because of who we are. The haters mean every word they utter. What can we do?' a voice in the digital ad says as imagery flashes across the screen of pro-Palestinian protests and anti-Israel vandalism playing out on New York City streets.
'Zohran Mamdani wants to defund the police, we need a mayor who puts more cops on the street. What's your June 24 Democratic primary choice?'
A rep for the new PAC didn't immediately return a request for comment from the Daily News.
Mamdani, a Queens Assembly member and democratic socialist, has in the past supported calls for defunding the police. As a mayoral candidate on the 2025 campaign trail, he has called for keeping NYPD staffing levels flat.
Mamdani spokesman Andrew Epstein called the new PAC expenditure a 'desperate' attempt to push back on the candidate's left-wing agenda, which includes vows to increase taxes on corporations and millionaires to bankroll expanded free child care and public transit.
'It's always amusing when some of the richest people in the city are so outraged at the idea of paying just a little more in taxes that they spend tens of thousands of dollars on deceitful and slanderous attack ads,' Epstein said. 'New Yorkers will see this for exactly what it is: desperate.'
The new PAC spending comes as recent polls have shown Mamdani closing in on Cuomo. A May 28 poll from Emerson University put Mamdani just 8% behind Cuomo.
A separate PAC, Fix the City, has raised more than $12 million, mostly from billionaires and powerful business executives, to boost Cuomo with ads and other political messaging.
The Fix the City expenditure is the largest super PAC spend on a single election in New York history.
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