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Fox News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Criticism over socialist NYC candidate Mamdani's rent-stabilized apartment mounts after ethics complaint
Criticism against socialist candidate for New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, over his acquisition of a rent-stabilized apartment as someone who makes close to $150,000 a year, is ramping up after a watchdog issued a complaint to New York's government ethics commission. The issue came front-and-center earlier this month after Mamdani's opponent, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, began criticizing Mamdani for occupying a rent-stabilized apartment as a New York state assemblyperson who makes around $150,000 per year. Cuomo recently announced plans to pass "Zohran's Law," which he said would "keep the rich out of New York's affordable housing." "It has been reported that New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani resides in a one-bedroom, rent-stabilized apartment in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. In public statements, Mr. Mamdani has said his monthly rent is approximately $2,300. According to publicly available rental market data, the average rent for a comparable one-bedroom in Astoria is about $3,002," stated a complaint filed with the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government by American Institute for Economic Research economist Jason Sorens, reviewed by Fox News Digital. "Questions have been raised in public discussion about the timeline of his tenancy in relation to when New York State ethics rules apply to elected officials," Sorens complaint continued. "If at the start of Mr. Mamdani's tenancy, the relevant ethics regulations were applicable to him, then it could be appropriate to investigate whether any assistance he may have received in securing a rent-stabilized apartment qualified as a gift under the law." Mamdani's campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital, but the Democratic Party candidate has argued that he moved into the apartment when he was only making $47,000 and was not even aware of the fact it was rent-stabilized. "Right-wing think tanks and MAGA billionaires' pathetic attempts to distract from Zohran Mamdani's mission to make NYC more affordable will fail, just as they did in the primary where New Yorkers resoundingly rejected Andrew Cuomo in a humiliating defeat," Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said, according to the New York Post. However, Sorens described Mamdani's defense that he didn't know his apartment was rent-stabilized as "implausible," citing the mayoral candidate's background working as a foreclosure specialist. "I've candidly found it implausible that while working as a Tenant Advocate, he would not know that his own apartment was rent stabilized, particularly since it's such a big benefit, not just when you sign the lease, but obviously for every year going forward that you maintain it," Sorens said. "I don't know about you, but for my family, that would be a significant windfall. We would notice that. So it's curious, maybe he was telling the truth, but it is curious that he insists that he didn't know." Sorens also argued that given the scarcity of affordable apartments in New York City, "it invites a question about whether someone may have helped him as a politically connected activist." "The bigger picture here, really, is that, you know, I'm not a political operative. I'm an economist. But I study rent control, and one of the negative side effects of rent control and rent stabilization is that these policies create an artificial skinny of affordable apartments, and it rewards having pull," Sorens concluded.
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.
