The Sprint for City HallThe race for mayor of New York City has ended. The Mamdani era is beginning.Good morning, and welcome to the final edition of The Sprint for City Hall. I’m Katie Glueck. New York City has made it through another election season. For Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, the hard part is just beginning. In today’s edition, we’ll catch up with Emma G. Fitzsimmons, our City Hall bureau chief, about where Mamdani goes from here — and highlight a few important stories from the end of the campaign and the start of the Mamdani transition.
What we’re watchingKatie Glueck: Emma, we survived the election, and then you, Mayor-elect Mamdani and much of the New York political class headed to Puerto Rico for an annual conference. What’s happening down there, and what’s the post-election vibe? Emma G. Fitzsimmons: Every November, elected officials from New York — predominantly Democrats — decamp to Puerto Rico. The stated purpose is to focus on the issues facing Puerto Rico. In reality, it’s a boozy networking event where deals are made. Everyone wanted a photo or a word with Mamdani when he arrived. He stopped for a plate of mofongo and went straight to a rally with Gov. Kathy Hochul, pledging to work with her to deliver on his affordability agenda. Many New York Democrats are thrilled by his rise, but there was some tension in the air. His supporters chanted “tax the rich” at Hochul. She is opposed to raising income taxes and seemed to be annoyed. K.G.: Our readers are busy and there has been a lot of post-election coverage and analysis. What’s the most important thing for them to know about Mamdani’s opportunities and challenges ahead? E.F.: The two main things I’ll be watching are how he stands up to President Trump and whether he is successful in delivering on universal child care, a rent freeze and other priorities. He has set expectations very high, and they will be difficult to achieve. At the same time, he has inspired many New Yorkers who are rooting for him, and he will be the main character in the city. It will be fascinating to watch how he navigates this high-profile role. Post-election storylines to follow
What happened: In the final days of the mayor’s race, even some of Mamdani’s supporters wondered whether a 34-year-old state assemblyman who, until recently, managed a paid staff of only five, was ready to lead the nation’s largest city. Now we’ll find out. Why it matters: Serving as mayor of New York City is often described as among the hardest jobs in American politics, second only to the presidency. Here’s a close look at the governing challenges that await Mamdani, who ran on an ambitious agenda for the city.
What happened: Were you one of three people to vote for Curtis Sliwa in your Crown Heights precinct? Are you curious about which candidate did best in the precincts that went for Joe Biden in 2020 and flipped to Donald Trump in 2024? Were there more secret Mamdani, or Andrew M. Cuomo, voters in your neighborhood than you might have guessed? You can find the answers to all of these questions, and many more, in this fascinating interactive map. Why it matters: In addition to being utterly absorbing, the map is a good guide to understanding the sprawling Mamdani coalition — and the other roughly half of the electorate that did not support him, and will be more inclined to be skeptical at the start of his administration.
What happened: Trump, a native New Yorker, has already made clear he sees Mamdani as a foil. Mamdani has signaled he’s ready for the fight. Why it matters: Trump has threatened to withhold billions of dollars in federal funds from New York City and to send in the National Guard if the new mayor adopts policies he does not like. Mamdani has promised to push back hard. How the two men navigate their new dynamic could have significant implications for the city.
What happened: In an interview with The New York Times, Mamdani declared a mandate to push forward his sweeping progressive agenda. Why it matters: In victory, Mamdani is leaning in to his support for taxing the wealthy as he promises to pursue the broad and expensive agenda that helped propel him to office.
What happened: After Republicans spent years — and tens of millions of dollars — pillorying Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker who is retiring, their party is hoping to turn Mamdani into their next boogeyman. Why it matters: It’s a development to watch as attention now turns to the midterm elections. Some Democrats acknowledge that Republican efforts to tie their candidates to Mamdani, a democratic socialist, could resonate in House districts just outside New York City. But beyond that, there are signs of clear limitations.
What happened: Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader and a Brooklynite, did not endorse Mamdani, who won anyway, forging a new political coalition in the process. Why it matters: By staying on the sidelines, Schumer — who has long prided himself on his granular knowledge of New York City politics — looked out of touch with the prevailing energy back home, some Democrats argue. His allies say the prospect of an endorsement was far more complicated. Either way, this will be another crucial relationship to watch.
If you haven’t seen it yet, catch up on this definitive account of how Mamdani, in Midtown C-suites and intimate phone calls, charmed and delicately disarmed some of the most powerful people in America. We want to hear from youThank you so much for letting me jump in as your guide to the mayoral race homestretch. It’s been an honor to write this newsletter, and I’ll miss it! While I’m turning my focus back to national politics, I’m always reachable at katie.glueck@nytimes.com. And you can continue to follow every twist and turn of the Mamdani transition, and eventually his administration, here. Thanks again for reading, and please keep in touch! Want to catch up on previous newsletters? Read here.
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