The newly elected mayor has ambitious ideas, but will he follow through?
There is a simple formula to become an American politician. First, a candidate espouses a plan to cheapen healthcare and lower taxes. Then, they remind the public that they are an ordinary citizen. New York City’s mayoral candidates have excelled at executing this formula, promising to become champions of a forgotten middle class before proceeding to fail in delivering their noble vows. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s optimistic campaign has convinced New York City voters that his administration will be different. Mamdani’s critics have called his ambitious goals empty promises, but in the few weeks since he has assumed office, Mamdani has proved otherwise.
When Mamdani announced his mayoral campaign in October 2024, he was a largely unknown state lawmaker. A little less than a year later, the 34-year-old democratic socialist emerged victorious in the June Democratic primary in a stunning triumph over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Social media primarily fueled Mamdani’s rise to national spotlight; equipped with an unshakable boldness and a microphone, Mamdani interviewed food truck owners and Knicks fans alike about their concerns about the city. Just four days before the primary, Mamdani filmed himself walking the 13-mile length of Manhattan. “We’re outside because New Yorkers deserve a mayor that they can see, they can hear, they can even yell at,” he declared in the video. Playing a collection of clips showing Mamdani clasping hands and exchanging hugs with dozens of New Yorkers, the post encapsulated his energy and accessibility to the city’s youth. In contrast, competitor Andrew Cuomo’s primary campaign was criticized for seeming aloof and devoid of emotion. Instead of appearing in public, Cuomo preferred to hold conferences, where he would stand unmoving behind a lectern, waving around vague definitions of “change.”
Mamdani’s optimistic campaign offered solutions to working-class demands and concerns. The new mayor pledged to triple the city’s construction of rent-stabilized housing and to freeze the rent for the two million residents who currently reside in those government-subsidized apartments. Mamdani hopes to lower housing costs, which have grown over 68% in the past decade, and increase new construction, which has failed to keep up with rising demand.
In addition, Mamdani plans to make the city more affordable with free public transportation and cheaper groceries. He has repeatedly stated that he would eliminate bus fares, a price that 50% of riders evade. This policy would cost the city $800 million a year. Mamdani affirms that the cost of “this is just pennies.” His assurances aren’t all comforting, however. New Yorkers have long unsuccessfully lobbied for a decrease in fares, and Mamdani is offering a too-good-to-be-true solution.
He also proposes establishing municipal grocery stores, which will sell produce at wholesale prices. Mamdani says that the city already spends money subsidizing private grocery stores, so he would redirect that money to fund these government-owned stores. According to Mamdani, after rent, childcare is the highest cost for the working class. In response, he proposes free childcare for all New Yorkers aged between 6 weeks and 5 years and plans to expand K-12 education services. Finally, Mamdani hopes to pass a new law raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030. In his manifesto, he writes, “In the world’s richest city, making the minimum wage shouldn’t mean living in poverty. But that’s exactly what it means for working people today.”
Mamdani’s endeavors sound like exactly what New York’s middle class needs, but they come with a hefty price tag. Mamdani is forecasted to fall short of the required $12.6 billion to complete his reforms over the next two years. To fill the budget deficits, Mamdani wants to impose a flat 2% tax on New Yorkers who earn more than $1 million per year, which would raise the city’s income tax from 3.9% to 5.9%.
Mandami contends to solve issues that are not new—New York City has grappled with affordability and housing for a very long time, and many politicians have vowed to fix those very issues. Yet, the majority of these attempts failed. In 2021, Eric Adams ran for Mayor of New York City on the promise of a greener environment, lessened racial inequality, and more financial assistance. In the end, his departure from office was soundless; the people who voted him in generally regard their former mayor with disappointment, and his political career will be remembered as one entangled with scandals and corruption. Before the Adams administration came Bill de Blasio, who made pre-K education universal but remained powerless in most other sectors due to a vendetta against then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. Critics point out that Mamdani’s proposals are lofty; if most of his predecessors fell short on delivering a more affordable city, what is to say he will succeed?
To freeze the rent, Mamdani will have to convince the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB), a 9-member body that votes on rent adjustments. Under former Mayor Eric Adams’s administration, the RGB allowed price hikes each year, culminating in a 12% increase in rent during his time in office. Free public transportation will not be easy either, as bus fares are controlled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and influenced by the governor, not the mayor. Mamdani’s plan for government-run grocery stores ostensibly offers a more affordable option, but it would be difficult to break even. The municipal stores would also push out existing local grocery stores. As for his “$30 by 30” proposal to raise the minimum wage, it is unclear whether the City Council has the power to do so because the state legislature has historically set the minimum wage. These obstacles will be difficult to overcome, but that does not mean change is unachievable.
Mamdani’s performance over the past few weeks has proved his critics wrong. Following his inauguration, Mamdani swiftly got to work on his ambitious agenda. On his first day in office, he created two task forces to speed up new development: one to identify areas to build new housing and another to remove bureaucratic barriers. He also announced a series of “Rental Ripoff” public hearings intended to get feedback from renters across the five boroughs. This initiative will help him craft policy recommendations to then deliver across the city. In his first week as mayor, Mamdani issued a total of twelve executive orders, disproving critics who have accused him of making gauzy promises.
Mamdani’s formidable campaign has imbued the city with vitality, but history has shown that ideas are just ideas until proven otherwise. Since being elected into office, he has proven his diligence and has honored his promises— signs that he is already on the path to success. Perhaps New York City’s faith is in the right hands.
