De Blasio Dismisses Panic Over Mamdani’s NYC Mayoral Primary Win

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has stepped into the fray surrounding Zohran Mamdani’s surprising victory in the Democratic mayoral primary, dismissing concerns over the democratic socialist’s far-left agenda as overblown. Speaking on a late-night political show, de Blasio argued that the panic among moderate Democrats is largely unfounded.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old progressive backed by heavyweights like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, clinched the primary win after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded. While the final tally awaits a ranked-choice count on July 1, Mamdani’s proposals—ranging from free bus networks to city-run grocery stores and rent control—have sparked unease among centrists.

De Blasio, however, urged calm, pointing out that many of Mamdani’s ideas aren’t revolutionary and have been tested elsewhere. “These are not staggering ideas,” he emphasized, adding that any plan to tax the wealthy would require legislative approval, which is far from guaranteed—especially with looming federal tax cuts from President Trump’s recent bill.

He also scoffed at predictions of a mass exodus from the city, recalling similar doomsday warnings during his own tenure that never materialized. “I just don’t buy it,” de Blasio quipped. He credited Mamdani’s success to a focus on everyday struggles like affordability and rent—issues he believes Democrats overlooked in the 2024 election cycle.

On the hot-button issue of defunding the police, de Blasio predicted Mamdani would pivot to broader, unifying concerns. He suggested the young candidate would zero in on the economic pressures crushing working- and middle-class New Yorkers in an increasingly unaffordable city.

As the dust settles, de Blasio’s take offers a counterpoint to the alarm bells ringing in some Democratic circles, framing Mamdani’s rise as a wake-up call to address the ‘kitchen table’ issues that resonate most with voters.