Zohran Mamdani cut his teeth in Albany. Will it pay off once he’s NYC’s mayor?

A Queens Democrat's Albany Odyssey: Can Mamdani Deliver?

Zohran Mamdani, a 29-year-old democratic socialist from Astoria who won a seat in the New York State Assembly just a few months ago, is now set to become the next mayor of New York City. His road to the top has been marked by fiery advocacy for progressive causes and a willingness to take on entrenched interests head-on. But will his experience in Albany pay off once he takes office?

Mamdani's time in the Assembly was defined by his ability to mobilize fellow lawmakers and push for bold policy changes, including a sleeping bag protest on the state Capitol floor in 2021 to convince then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo to tax the rich and strengthen temporary eviction protections for tenants.

Now, as mayor-elect, Mamdani is facing an even tougher challenge: convincing Albany leaders to support his ambitious agenda, which includes providing universal child care and making city buses fare-free. His opponents have questioned whether he has the executive experience needed to deliver on these promises, but his supporters say that's just a minor detail.

Mamdani's strategy seems to be centered around building relationships with key players in Albany, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The fact that all three endorsed his campaign ahead of the November election suggests he has some level of support in the Capitol.

However, there are significant hurdles to overcome. Hochul has already blocked efforts to increase the state income tax, which would be a major component of Mamdani's revenue plan. And while she has expressed openness to making buses fare-free, her lukewarm stance on this issue could still dash part of his agenda.

Mamdani's earliest hires suggest he is thinking carefully about how to navigate Albany. Dean Fuleihan, the new first deputy mayor, has a long history working in state government and was a key advisor to former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

While some of Mamdani's left-leaning supporters have publicly pressured Hochul to support his agenda, she has pushed back, warning that their efforts could backfire if they try too hard. For now, it seems that Mamdani is taking a more measured approach, focusing on building consensus and finding creative solutions to get his policies passed.

One thing is certain: Zohran Mamdani's Albany odyssey will be one of the most closely watched in years. Will he be able to deliver on his promises, or will the harsh realities of state politics prove too much for a young upstart? Only time will tell.

I'm kinda hyped about this guy Zohran Mamdani, you know? He's got heart and he's not afraid to ruffle some feathers. I mean, that sleeping bag protest on the Capitol floor was pure genius . And yeah, I can see how his experience in Albany could be a bit of a concern for some folks, but I think he's got this. He's building those relationships with key players and finding creative solutions... it's like he's playing the long game .

I'm also loving that he's not trying to push all the progressive stuff at once. That's just gonna be a recipe for disaster if you ask me. Take it one step at a time, man. And hey, even if some of his opponents are doubting him, I say give the guy a break . He's still got a lot of momentum on his side and he's not afraid to challenge the status quo.

I'm keeping an eye on this dude, that's for sure . Can't wait to see how it all plays out in Albany.

im thinkin' zohran mamdani got this . hes already shown he can mobilize folks and push for big change in Albany. now that hes mayor-elect, ill be keepin an eye on how he navigates the city's politics. if hes smart about it, i think hes gonna make some real progress on universal child care and makin buses free . the fact thats all these high-up people endorsed him suggests hes got a good shot @ gettin their support too . of course theres always gonna be ups and downs in politics, but im rootin for this young dude

I'm intrigued by Mamdani's path to becoming NYC mayor ️. On one hand, it's awesome that he's pushing for progressive policies like universal childcare and fare-free buses . Those are issues that many New Yorkers care about deeply.

On the other hand, I can understand why some people might be skeptical about his ability to execute on these plans without having more executive experience . It's a tough hill to climb, especially when dealing with entrenched interests in Albany .

What's interesting to me is how Mamdani is trying to build relationships and find creative solutions . His strategy seems like a good balance between being a bold leader and being pragmatic about getting things done .

One thing I hope he'll avoid is alienating Hochul and other Albany leaders too much . He's got some momentum on his side, so it's crucial that he keeps building support from all sides .

omg i'm so excited about zohran mamdani!!! he's literally the future of NYC and I love how he's taking on Albany head-on! his experience in the Assembly is gonna serve him so well, especially with Dean Fuleihan by his side fuleihan sounds like an amazing hire btw. i also love that he's focusing on building relationships and finding creative solutions instead of just pushing for what he wants - that's the kind of leadership we need more of! can't wait to see how it all plays out in the coming months

I'm so stoked that someone like Zohran Mamdani is taking the reins in NYC ! He's got a lot of momentum and his progressive policies are exactly what we need to shake things up. I mean, who wouldn't want universal child care or fare-free buses? The fact that he's building relationships with key players in Albany is a great strategy - it shows he's willing to listen and collaborate. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Governor Hochul comes around on the income tax plan and that Mamdani can deliver on his promises!

omg i'm so hyped for zohran mamdani's mayoral run!! as someone who's been following him since he won that seat in the assembly, it's amazing to see how far he's come. his passion for progressive causes is infectious and i think his experience in Albany will serve him well in navigating the complexities of city politics.

i do agree with critics though that he needs to be more specific on how he plans to pay for some of these initiatives... like, what's the plan for universal child care? it sounds great but we all know it won't come cheap. still, i have faith in zohran and his team to figure it out. they've already made some great hires like dean fuleihan, so that's a good sign.

anyway, can't wait to see how he shakes things up in NYC!

I think it's gonna be super interesting to see how Mamdani does as mayor . He's got some big ideas and I love that he's not afraid to take on the establishment . But, Albany can be a tough nut to crack, especially for someone new . Fingers crossed he builds those relationships and finds ways to make his policies work . The fact that Hochul endorsed him shows she might be open to some of his ideas, but we'll see how far she's willing to go . Anyone got a link on what Mamdani's first 100 days as mayor will look like? [https://www.newyorker.com/politics/...cs/2024/11/04/the-new-yorker-issue/Politics/)

idk about this Mamdani guy, seems like just another politician trying to get elected . what's with all these promises of free buses and universal child care? how is he planning on paying for that? doesn't sound too realistic . and what's with his strategy of building relationships with Albany leaders? isn't that just a nice way of saying "I'm gonna play nice with the folks in power" . needs more info, sources, something to back up all these claims . can't just take someone at face value and expect them to deliver

Mamdani's gonna need more than just charm & good vibes to get those Albany leaders on board He's already got some support, but Hochul's stance on taxes is still a big mystery Can't say I blame him though - trying to balance the books in NY State ain't easy

think mamdani got this

albany's not exactly known for being super chill so i gotta root for him he showed people in albany what he's made of when he was there and now he's gonna try it on a bigger stage that's dope

I think this is gonna be wild! Mamdani's all about stirring up trouble and taking on the man, but Albany's a whole different beast . He needs to navigate the politicians' egos and special interests, not just his own passion project. It's like trying to juggle 100 balls at once . I'm curious if he'll be able to keep his promise of universal child care without breaking the bank . The thing that impresses me most is how deliberate he's being about building relationships and finding common ground. Maybe this whole "being a mayor" thing isn't as scary as everyone makes it out to be

I'm intrigued by Zohran Mamdani's rise to becoming the next mayor of NYC! It's awesome that he's got a track record of pushing for progressive causes in Albany - his ability to mobilize fellow lawmakers and get policy changes passed is definitely a plus . However, I think it's also important to note that being a leader isn't just about having a strong agenda, but also about navigating complex politics and finding common ground with others .

Mamdani's strategy of building relationships with key players in Albany seems like a solid approach, especially since he's got the backing of all three main leaders in the Capitol . But, as you mentioned, there are still some significant hurdles to overcome, particularly around raising state income tax and making buses fare-free .

I'm curious to see how Mamdani will navigate these challenges and find creative solutions that get his policies passed . One thing's for sure - his Albany odyssey is going to be a wild ride!

lolol this guy's got skills lol he really needs to get those Albany bigwigs on board tho their lukewarm stances are gonna make it haaaaard for him his strategy is solid tho, building relationships and finding creative solutions 4eva dean fuleihan as first deputy mayor? nice move mamdani's got this but what if Hochul still vetoes that income tax hike only time will tell indeed

I'm low-key excited to see how Zohran Mamdani's going to tackle NYC's issues. As a newbie in Albany, it's tough enough to make headway, but he's already shown some serious chops by mobilizing lawmakers and pushing for policy changes. I think his strategy of building relationships with key players is solid - you gotta know who's pulling the strings if you wanna get stuff done.

The fact that Hochul blocked efforts to increase the state income tax is a bummer, though. That was like, a major part of Mamdani's plan. Maybe he can find some creative workaround or negotiate with her directly. Fuleihan's hire as first deputy mayor is a good sign, too - someone with experience in state government should help him navigate Albany's waters.

I'm curious to see how Mamdani handles the pressure from his supporters versus trying to build consensus. It's gonna be tough, but I think he's got this. He's already proven himself as a leader who can take on tough issues head-on. Bring it on!

I'm low-key hyped about Zohran Mamdani becoming NYC's next mayor ️! He's got the progressive cred and the Albany experience to back it up, which is gonna be super valuable in navigating the halls of power in NYC. I mean, the guy's already made waves with his sleeping bag protest on the state Capitol floor - that shows he's not afraid to take risks and push for change. And let's be real, having Gov. Hochul and other Albany leaders on board is a major win . Of course, there are gonna be tough fights ahead, but I think Mamdani's got this . He's gotta stay focused on building that consensus and finding creative solutions, but if anyone can do it, he can

Aww man, I'm so nervous for Zohran Mamdani ! He seems like such an awesome leader and his energy is infectious, but Albany can be SO tough to navigate . I get why they're questioning his executive experience, but at the same time, he's got this amazing track record of mobilizing people and pushing for change . Fingers crossed that all those key players in Albany are on board with him ...and that he can find creative solutions to make his policies a reality . It's gonna be so interesting to watch how this all plays out !

I'm low-key impressed by Mamdani's strategy . Building relationships with key players in Albany is a smart move, considering the power dynamics at play. It's not just about having executive experience, but also knowing how to work within the system to get things done. His approach seems more collaborative than confrontational, which could help him build coalitions and find common ground. That being said, it's still tough to overcome opposition from Hochul and others who might be hesitant to give up their power. The fact that he's taking a measured approach is crucial in this regard . Will it pay off? Only time will tell, but I'm rooting for him

I'm intrigued by Zohran Mamdani's journey from Astoria to Albany, and now to the top spot in NYC ️. His passion and commitment to progressive causes are undeniable . However, navigating the complexities of state politics can be a real challenge .

While his experience in the Assembly was impressive, it's true that being mayor is a different beast altogether . Will he be able to build on those relationships with key players like Hochul and Heastie? And how will he balance the need for bold policy changes with the need for compromise?

One thing I think Mamdani needs to watch out for is the "politics of personal destruction" . With his left-leaning supporters already putting pressure on Hochul, it's a delicate balancing act to find creative solutions without riling up his opponents.

Still, I'm optimistic about Mamdani's chances . He's shown remarkable leadership skills in Albany, and his commitment to universal child care and fare-free buses is long overdue . Let's see how he navigates the ups and downs of NYC politics – it'll be a wild ride!

OMG u guys i cant even believe zohran mamdani won the mayoral election!! i was literally watching him give his victory speech live on my phone and i just got chills thinking about how excited he is to make a change in NYC like honestly who else can say they went from being a 29 yr old assembly member to mayor of nyc ?? anyway back to the news... i think its cool that he's trying to build relationships with ppl in albany tho it makes sense since he needs their support for his agenda which btw sounds super ambitious lol universal childcare and free bus fares but idk if it'll happen or not... the gov is like totally playing hard to get rn