The chatter started immediately after the Post published its headline on Monday morning. Zoran Mamdani, known for his anti-Israel stance and socialist views, is getting attention as he prepares to vote in the Democratic primary against Andrew Cuomo.
“Can that poll really be accurate?” That’s the question I heard from several business leaders here, as well as others who run significant enterprises in the city.
While they might not be overly invested in Cuomo—his tenure as governor is still remembered—they worry that the current state of Gotham could become even worse than the mismanagement experienced under Bill de Blasio.
Yes, I pointed out, it’s possible for Mamdani to win, and if that happens, I guess you’ll just have to blame yourselves.
The reality is that the urban business community, with some exceptions, feels politically powerless—an observation I find hard to overlook.
Despite their financial resources—they’re well-positioned on Wall Street and hold substantial real estate assets—they seem unable to exert meaningful influence over local politicians.
Yet, they remain inactive as the Democratic Party shifts further left, which could lead to a significant shift in the economic landscape.
There are a few notable exceptions, though.
Bill Ackman, a hedge fund titan based in New York, is a true advocate who opposes the leftward trend of his once-favored party. He supports Trump and actively engages in discussions on social media.
John Catsimatidis, an entrepreneurial figure who made his mark in New York, is also known for his outspoken nature. As the owner of Red Apple Group, which includes WABC, he doesn’t hold back.
I once asked John about his unique perspectives. His answer, typical of someone who grew up working in his family’s grocery store in West Harlem, was, “These people never learned to be tough.”
I also spoke with Kathryn Wilde, the president of the city’s largest business association, about why John stands out when so many of her members seem hesitant to tackle challenges from the left.
According to her, running a business often means avoiding confrontation with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
While Trumpism may be gaining traction at the moment, it’s far from dominant on a national scale. If Mamdani takes office, he will oversee a significant regulatory environment—acquiescing might be the only option for some business folks, in hopes of the best outcomes.
She further contended that taking a stance against Mamdani could alienate his supporters, which seems counterproductive.
But then there’s the question: Why haven’t major banks and real estate companies called out the apparent flaws in Mamdani’s policies? Advertisements and social media could point out issues like grocery store regulations, a minimum wage hike to $30, taxpayer-funded gender surgeries, and potential increases in crime—factors that can affect the average person living here.
After all, these policies might lead to what we know as higher taxes, rising unemployment, and increased crime rates.
Maybe a little pushback could bring about change instead of standing idly by, like lambs waiting for the slaughter.
