Controversy Over NYC Mayor’s Council Picks
Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s recent choice of city council candidates for Greenwich Village is stirring up debate. Critics argue it’s hard to reconcile his affiliations with the lavish lifestyle of some candidates, calling attention to a $6 million home in Westchester and a $3.7 million condo in Chelsea.
Among the candidates is Lindsey Boylan, a former top aide to ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo. She was the first woman to accuse Mamdani of sexual harassment and had joined him last year under the Democratic Socialists of America banner, seeking to unseat Cuomo. Cuomo denies any misconduct.
Boylan lives with her husband, Leroy Kim, an investment banker, and their daughter in a lavish five-bedroom home in Bedford, New York. Recently, while attending a Bedford Zoning Board meeting for a deck approval, she mentioned spending thousands on landscaping. It raises questions, perhaps, about the typical socialist ideals she now champions.
In addition to their Bedford home, Boylan and her family have also been long-time residents of a posh Chelsea condo. Kim is a managing director at a well-known investment banking firm, known for hosting exclusive gatherings in Sun Valley, Idaho, often referred to as a “Summer Camp for Billionaires.”
Critics, somewhat incredulous, have described Boylan’s situation as a case of “brazen opportunism.” Comments from a union official reflected a sentiment of disbelief: “Lindsay Boylan can brand herself as a socialist star while living in a seven-figure rural estate. At least she’s creating jobs while campaigning for a third time to get elected.”
During her council campaign, Boylan and her supporters went hard on Israel, criticizing it for what they termed “unacceptable mass killings” and labeling the situation as genocide. This stance, however, seems to contradict her prior strong support for Israel, which she publicly endorsed back in 2019.
So, Boylan has had a rocky political journey, having lost two elections vying for the position of U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler in 2020 and running for Manhattan borough president in 2021. Surprisingly, she had previously been associated with Harold “Hessy” Tischer, a controversial figure within the Jewish community.
In a campaign video, she expressed affection for the Jewish community and even indicated a desire to visit Israel again. However, Tischer’s views, particularly on same-sex marriage, seem to clash with the progressive ideals of the district she aims to represent—home to the historic Stonewall Inn.
Boylan is now looking to fill the council slot left vacant by Democrat Eric Bottcher, who stepped into the state Senate recently. LGBTQ advocates have criticized Mamdani’s support for Boylan, noting the district’s history of electing openly gay candidates for over three decades. In contrast, Bottcher and local Democratic leaders have backed Carl Wilson, a former aide.
Despite strong backing from Mamdani, the Democratic Socialists of America opted not to enter this race. Boylan has leaned on support from the far-left Working Families Party instead, facing scrutiny over her wealth and shifting positions on pressing issues. Nonetheless, she asserts her commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and her pledge to foster an inclusive city for all residents.
In her own words, “My campaign aims at every voter in the district, including transgender and queer individuals, and is about creating a city where everyone can have pride and affordability.”
