Zoh’s staffer picks are starting to confirm NYers’ worst fears for the next four years
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s early selections for his top staff are giving a clear indication of what his administration will look like — a blend of supposedly moderate individuals from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s team and a roster of outright radicals from the far-left movement.
It’s worth noting that the so-called moderate veterans from de Blasio’s administration are not as moderate as they may seem. For instance, Jahmila Edwards, who will lead the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations, has a background in the municipal-worker union DC 37, indicating that her decisions will likely prioritize the interests of city employees.
On the other hand, Catherine Almonte Da Costa, initially chosen as the director of appointments, had to withdraw from consideration due to the discovery of her history of antisemitic and anti-police tweets. This incident underscores that past service under de Blasio does not guarantee a clean slate.
One of Mamdani’s recent appointments is Julie Su, who will serve as the deputy mayor for economic justice. Su, a pro-union progressive, faced criticism for overseeing billions in fraud in California’s unemployment benefits system and failing to secure Senate approval for a role in President Joe Biden’s administration due to concerns about her radicalism.
Additionally, Mamdani is reportedly considering lawyer Ramzi Kassem as his top legal adviser. Kassem’s past clients include an al Qaeda terrorist and an anti-Israel activist, raising questions about his alignment with mainstream values.
Another potential candidate for the legal adviser role is Steven Banks, described as a “social justice attorney” who, during his tenure as de Blasio’s homeless czar, increased spending on addressing homelessness while the city’s homeless population continued to grow.
Rumors about Mamdani retaining city-planning expert Dan Garodnick from Eric Adams’ team have faded, signaling a shift in leadership. Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, instrumental in Adams’ recent accomplishments, has been instructed to leave his position.
The one glimmer of hope for a more balanced approach is Mamdani’s successful recruitment of Jessica Tisch as police commissioner. However, Tisch’s future in the role remains uncertain given Mamdani’s history of anti-cop rhetoric.
Overall, Mamdani’s administration is poised to lean further to the left than de Blasio’s, with a focus on socialist ideals. The fate of centrist figures like Tisch in this environment remains uncertain, as the administration moves towards implementing its progressive agenda.
