NEW YORK (WABC) — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has now raised $2 million for his transition — halfway to his goal of $4 million by his inauguration.<\/p>\n
Mamdani has raised the money in less than 20 days, putting him well on track to reaching his goal.<\/p>\n
On Nov. 16, he announced during an interview with Bill Ritter that his transition had raised more than $1 million.<\/p>\n
He then followed it up by setting the goal of $4 million<\/a> by Jan. 1.<\/p>\n Mamdani has said the transition is not relying on “wealthy donors,” like previous administrations.<\/p>\n He is halfway to his total goal with more than a month to go until his inauguration.<\/p>\n The money will pay his staff and advisers to the incoming administration and go through the more than 70,000 resumes received so far.<\/p>\n “With more than 25,000 individual donors and an average donation of $75, the people-powered Mamdani transition is building an administration that reflects the values and vision of New York City. These contributions will help us recruit top talent that is ready to get to work on January 1st and begin delivering on the affordability agenda that over 1 million New Yorkers voted for,” said Elana Leopold, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani transition executive director.<\/p>\n Mamdani announced Monday that he has appointed more than 400 people<\/a> to 17 transition committees that will help with his transition to City Hall.<\/p>\n Of the 17 committees, two are new committees that have not existed under previous mayoral transitions: the Worker Justice and Community Organizing committees.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the financial capital of the nation, there are questions, like what does Mamdani’s agenda mean for New York’s business community? In a city that depends on bankers, investors, real estate developers, and corporate executives, Mamdani says his mission is clear.<\/p>\n The mayor-elect says he will stand with organized labor. He supports raising the minimum wage and higher taxes on millionaires and large corporations, taxes intended to pay for universal childcare and free buses. He says he will freeze rents on one million apartments.<\/p>\n Kathryn Wylde leads the city’s largest business group, Partnership for New York City. She says many of Mamdani’s goals are good for business.<\/p>\n “Employers in the city agree that affordability of housing, of childcare across the board, is a huge issue,” Wylde said. “And it is not just forcing low income and working people out of the city. There are many middle-class families that are relocating because they can’t afford it here, either.”<\/p>\n What concerns the city’s power brokers is how to achieve affordability.JP Morgan Chase Chairman Jamie Dimon told CNN it’s complicated.<\/p>\n “We could all have the same vision, lift up society, make the schools better, but then you better execute,” Dimon said. “I’ve seen a lot of people when it comes to the execution part, they fall down so flat, that doesn’t matter where the heart is that they will fail to accomplish their goals.”<\/p>\n Dimon says the government can’t do it alone. Mamdani’s transition team includes corporate and community leaders, alike.<\/p>\n “He’s very committed to his goals, but he’s told us all along, throughout the campaign, that he’s wide open on how to achieve those goals,” Wylde said.<\/p>\n Mamdani has insisted that what matters to him is not the process, but the outcome. He may not get a consensus, but if he’s looking for ideas, he’ll get them.<\/p>\n ———-<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n * More New York City news<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n * Follow us on YouTube<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News<\/p>\n