New York City Mayor-elect Announces Key Appointments
On Monday, Zoran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, revealed significant appointments to his administration. He named Dean Freihan, 74, as the first deputy mayor and El Bisgaard Church, 34, as the chief of staff.
During a press conference at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute in Manhattan, they appeared alongside democratic socialist representatives from Uganda and India. This setting underscored Mamdani’s ambition to utilize years of fiscal management to support a robust socialist agenda that includes taxpayer-funded services like buses, child care, and rent control. However, this vision could increase the city’s budget by an estimated $120 billion, which is already under strain.
Freihan, a Lebanese-American with over 40 years of public service, returns to a role he previously held under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. In that position, he oversaw a considerable increase in the city’s operating budget, which rose from about $78 billion in fiscal year 2014 to $90 billion by 2018, driven mainly by investments in pre-K programs and affordable housing initiatives.
However, despite the investments, de Blasio’s housing initiative, aiming to create or preserve 300,000 affordable units by 2026, reportedly failed to address the needs of low-income residents effectively. Currently, around 72% of low-income tenants spend over 30% of their income on housing, and homelessness has reached alarming levels, with over 63,000 people in shelters nightly as of 2019.
Freihan, who reportedly advised Mamdani during his campaign, promises to leverage all available resources at City Hall to enhance Mamdani’s “affordability agenda,” which includes a proposed $630 million annual investment in public transit and over $10 billion for child care and housing. Mamdani has indicated plans to make city buses “fast and free,” although that move could cost the MTA $630 million annually in lost fare revenue.
Alongside him, El Bisgaard Church has been a notable presence, frequently referred to as Mamdani’s “shadow” since 2021. As the legislative chief of staff, she pushed for support to assist medallion taxi drivers who have struggled due to the rise of ride-sharing services. The value of medallion permits plummeted dramatically as a result, leaving many drivers in financial turmoil.
During the mayoral race, Church, who has a background in grassroots movements, attracted a wave of young voters who felt disillusioned with the current Democratic establishment. She has also subtly criticized past governance, suggesting a need for more ambitious leadership that isn’t tied to special interests.
Church, originally from Davis, California, is recognized as a pivotal force in Mamdani’s campaign, even if her role has kept her somewhat behind the scenes. Many refer to her as Mamdani’s “right-hand” and the brain behind his strategies.
Amid these changes, New York state faces a nearly $5 billion budget hole, worsened by debts incurred during the pandemic and rising costs for immigrant shelters. Mamdani’s proposals, which involve increased taxes on wealthier grocery stores and the reduction of “non-essential” police functions, have met with skepticism from business leaders and more centrist Democrats, who argue these plans lack fiscal realism.
Freihan has received support from some quarters, including Democratic Rep. Richie Torres, who noted his strong negotiating record. Meanwhile, City Comptroller Brad Lander, who initially supported Mamdani, is now considering a run for Congress, and other key figures, like NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, have uncertain futures in this shifting political landscape.
