Let the rebellion begin.

Leaders of New York City’s “Forgotten Borough” — and most conservative enclave — are re-introducing stalled legislation for Staten Island to secede from what they fear will become the People’s Republic of Mamdani.

The Democratic Socialist “could not be further out of sync with the values of communities on Staten Island, and I’d argue that this time around Democrats won’t want to stop [the borough’s secession] because it would make it even less likely [NYC] ever elects a Republican mayor again,” said state Sen. Andrew Lanza, who told The Post he plans to “put the foot to the pedal” on the plan in January.

Staten Island pols are using Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s win the NYC mayoral race as a key reason to renew efforts to make the borough independent from NYC. Getty Images

Lanza (R-Staten Island) has been been pushing his secession bill since 2008, and it’s seen little traction.

But the rest of the Big Apple has swung so far left that there could be common ground — even among Democrats — to separate the four other boroughs from Staten Island’s predominantly moderate and GOP voting base, he said.

“I think the timing is right, and it would be great not only for Staten Island … but for the City of New York,” said Lanza, referring to the plan for Richmond County’s independence at the same time the United States celebrates its 250th birthday next year.

State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Staten Island) got the ball rolling Friday by hosting a Richmond Road rally where he read a “Staten Island Independence Declaration.”

The event occurred at the former site of the Rose and Crown Tavern in New Dorp, where British soldiers on July 9, 1776 were first read the Declaration of Independence on Staten Island.

“I’m was trying to capitalize on the election of Mamdani as mayor,” Pirozzolo told The Post afterwards. “We are not declaring war on Manhattan or the rest of New York City, but elections should have some consequences.”

State Sen. Andrew Lanza told The Post he plans to “put the foot to the pedal” when re-introducing long-stalled legislation in January allowing Staten Island to secede from NYC. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

Staten Island has grappled with the idea of leaving NYC since at least the 1940s.

The borough came very close in 1993, when residents overwhelmingly passed a non-binding secession referendum with 65% support.

However, that movement was killed in Albany when then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) refused to approve the necessary “home rule message” from the City Council.

With roughly 500,000 residents, Staten Island is the city’s least populated borough. However, on its own, Staten Island would rank second among the state’s municipalities in population size behind only the Big Apple. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

State approval is required for secession to happen.

Lanza’s bill wouldn’t require city blessing or a referendum, but he welcomes having Staten Islanders vote again to decide the issue.

Councilman Frank Morano, a fellow Staten Island Republican, confirmed he’s in the process of drafting legislation to require the city to study the economic pros and cons of the so-called “forgotten borough” becoming an independent city.

Some concerns about secession include whether Staten Island picking up services now provided by NYC — including having its own police, fire and education departments – could spur a borough tax increase.

Councilman Frank Morano (R-Staten Island) is in the process of drafting legislation that would require the city to conduct an economic feasibility analysis to weigh the pros and cons of Staten Island becoming an independent city. Robert Miller

Staten Island resident, Florence Petruzzeli signs a “Staten Island Independence Declaration” on Friday. Michael McWeeney

Former Republican Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli introduced similar legislation in 2019 and 2022 that died in a committee, but Morano insisted his bill won’t advocate for secession and would be more neutral.

“I represent a community that is very pro-secession in sentiment — I’d say at least 60% — but personally, I’m concerned that full independence could lead to higher taxes and higher costs for Staten Islanders,” he said.

“At the same time, I completely understand why so many people feel taken for granted by the rest of the city and want out. Rather than just trading slogans — ‘we have to secede’ versus ‘we can’t afford to’ — this bill is meant to be a balanced approach that both sides should be able to live with.”

Morano said he’d ultimately like to have the matter decided through a referendum.

State Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Staten Island) got the latest Staten Island secession movement rolling Friday by hosting a Richmond Road rally where he read a “Staten Island Independence Declaration.” Michael McWeeney

“Staten Island should be able to decide its own fate,” he said. “It’s the most frustrating thing in the world for Staten Islanders to vote for elected officials, vote for certain policies, and no matter how we vote, we are dismissed by policymakers by the rest of the city.”

With roughly 500,000 residents, Staten Island is the city’s least populated borough.

But it would become the second largest city in New York state, and is bigger than Miami, Tampa, Oakland and Cleveland.

Lanza said he believes a win for upstate Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik in the 2026 gubernatorial race over incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul could help spur the secession cause — or at least get it to a vote before Staten Islanders.

Mamdani declined to comment, and a rep for Stefanik did not immediately return messages.

A May 2024 city Independent Budget Office study on the possibility of Staten Island’s independence found the move could be costly for the borough.

“Secession is highly complex, would take many years to implement, and would either be more expensive for Staten Island residents, require an independent Staten Island to reduce benefits and services to residents, or both,” read the report,  requested by Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), who endorsed Mamdani for mayor and reps Bay Ridge across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.