A top aide to National Teachers Union president Randy Weingarten has raised concerns about Zoran Mamdani’s qualifications for leading New York City. Leo Casey, who works with Weingarten at the American Federation of Teachers, expressed doubts in an email to a group of democratic socialists, highlighting the mixed reactions to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as a cautionary tale.
This was shared in May, not long before Mamdani secured the Democratic primary win on June 24. Casey noted, “Most of our discussion here is about blocking,” pointing to the political landscape. He further emphasized the importance of governance skills, stating that just winning elections doesn’t guarantee effective leadership.
Casey pointed to the challenges faced by Mayor Johnson, who has received an 80% disapproval rating from union members. He reflected on Johnson’s candidacy, questioning what went wrong without any public discourse around it. “But something is clearly wrong and not just because of the enemy,” he remarked.
Even though the largest local teachers federation remained neutral during the primary, they eventually endorsed Mamdani. He triumphed over prominent candidates like Cuomo and city director Brad Lander, securing the Democratic nomination.
Casey, who has been a significant figure in the United Federation of Teachers for two decades and now oversees the high school division, did express a preference for Lander, citing Mamdani’s limited experience in city governance. “Mamdani has no experience with city government,” she commented, highlighting Lander’s prior roles as more substantial.
After his remarks, Casey reiterated that her comments weren’t representative of the union’s stance, nor did they reflect Weingarten’s views. Their mutual history goes back to their teaching days at Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn.
Weingarten responded, saying, “Leo’s statement speaks for itself,” suggesting that Casey often aims to involve her in disputes. She expressed her support for Mamdani, stating, “I’m a fan.”
Mamdani’s educational platform has largely aligned with union interests, as he has expressed opposition to the expansion of charter schools and any moves to diminish mayoral oversight in education.
In contrast, Cuomo had pushed for stricter accountability measures for teachers while he was governor, particularly in regards to charter schools and overall student performance.
