Calls for taxing the wealthy arise as Gov. Hochul speaks at Zohran Mamdani and NY AG Letitia James event

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico

It’s definitely Zoh’s moment.

Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani made his way to Puerto Rico for the SOMOS political retreat, where he co-hosted a cocktail reception alongside Attorney General Letitia James, who is currently facing her own challenges. This event, held on Thursday, served as a celebration of his recent victory.

Governor Kathy Hochul took the stage during an event organized by the DC 37 union, which had to be moved outside the El Caribe Hilton due to an overwhelming turnout of over 200 people chanting “tax the rich.” She remarked humorously, “The more you push me, the less I’m going to be what you want,” right after welcoming Mamdani at a separate function promoting Empire State tourism.

Hochul and Mamdani’s concurrent events underscored the intricate dynamics of the Tropical Conference, an annual gathering where New York State Democrats network over drinks and make deals.

Mamdani, riding the wave of a historic win as the mayor-elect, has plans to redefine New York City and the Democratic Party with a vision rooted in democratic socialism. However, achieving this ambitious goal will likely require getting support from Hochul, who remains hesitant about his proposals for increased taxes on wealthier citizens.

Just before the election, he faced similar chants about “paying taxes to the rich” during a pro-Mamdani rally in Queens, where notable figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders were present.

While in San Juan, Mamdani will network with Albany Democrats who seem more receptive to the idea of raising taxes on the affluent, in order to fund his proposed $10 billion agenda.

His backers have also indicated they won’t shy away from backing a primary challenge against Democrats who do not align with his socialist ideals.

The future of Mamdani’s policies may depend on whether a progressive or moderate Democrat takes the chair in the City Council, which could either support or hinder his initiatives.

Behind the scenes at SOMOS, there’s a fierce contest between moderate Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) and Mamdani ally Crystal Hudson (D-Brooklyn) for the speaker’s position.

Newly elected mayors often come to such gatherings buoyed by political winds, only to find those winds shifting dramatically the following year. Eric Adams could attest to that.

Adams attended SOMOS in 2021 immediately after his mayoral election victory, mingling with Hochul, James, and other prominent figures. Fast forward two years, and he chose to avoid the meeting entirely, as his administration grappled with numerous scandals and the looming specter of a federal investigation, which ultimately led to his indictment.