Controversy Surrounds Mayor Mamdani’s Campaign Strategist

Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s main campaign official is facing serious allegations of blackmail involving a former employee connected to Senate candidate Graham Platner. This official, Morris Katz, has previously been linked to several leftist candidates in various parliamentary races.

Katz came under scrutiny after a local newspaper reported on him berating Genevieve MacDonald, a former staffer for Platner. He allegedly pressured her to deny claims that Platner, a married oyster farmer, was involved with multiple women.

This scandal adds to the turmoil surrounding Democrat Platner’s bid to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins, further tainting Katz’s reputation, especially since he’s worked with several progressive candidates this election cycle.

Notably, Katz has been instrumental in the campaign of Claire Valdez, a Democratic Socialist Party representative from Queens vying for a Congressional seat in New York’s 7th District. Valdez has the backing of Mamdani, and Katz is credited with helping him rise to prominence in City Hall.

Valdez’s campaign opted not to comment on Katz’s alleged intimidation tactics directed at Platner. Mamdani also refrained from offering a statement.

Katz is believed to be advising former City Comptroller Brad Lander, a supporter of Mamdani, who is challenging incumbent Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary for the 10th Congressional District.

Furthermore, Katz has been brought on by Micah Lasher’s campaign, who is competing in the Democratic primary for the 12th Congressional District, which has already seen votes counted. Neither campaign responded to inquiries.

Katz operates the Fight Agency with other liberal political figures, which is also supporting Dan Osborn, an independent U.S. Senate candidate from Nebraska.

The Fight Agency describes Katz as a political strategist who opposes traditional politics yet embraces uncertain policies. His bio suggests he thrives in diverse settings and is always on the lookout for unconventional candidates eager to take on significant challenges.

Reports indicate Katz pressured MacDonald to suppress a Wall Street Journal story about Platner’s extramarital affairs following his marriage in 2023. He allegedly warned her that a continuation of the narrative would undermine Platner’s campaign, marking her as a violator of their personal trust.

In response to the situation, Katz expressed disdain online, stating that Platner’s prior interactions with his wife, Amy, were “nobody’s business.” He criticized what he termed “incompetent and opportunistic operatives” who prioritize revenge over civility.

One political operative labeled Katz’s threat as “reckless,” emphasizing that when dealing with a potentially damaging story, attempting to suppress it can often exacerbate the situation.

Katz comes from a well-off background, raised in Tribeca with a successful playwright father and a children’s book author mother. His godfather was the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Earlier this year, his profile garnered attention following Mamdani’s unexpected election victory.

Reflecting on Katz’s ambitions, one Democrat remarked, “Morris was born as a third baseman and reached home plate on an error. Now he thinks he can lead the whole team to victory?”

The Fight Agency has not provided any comments as of now.