New York Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani Forms All-Female Transition Team
Just hours after criticizing the Democratic establishment in his victory speech, New York’s Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani has assembled an all-female transition team comprised of members with experience from the previous administrations of Michael Bloomberg, Eric Adams, Bill de Blasio, and Joe Biden.
Included in this team is Lina Khan, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under President Biden. During her time in that role, she faced accusations from Republicans regarding the agency’s independence and alleged politicization of antitrust enforcement, claiming she favored new hires over seasoned career staff.
Some of the critiques suggested that Khan had connections with liberal billionaire-backed organizations and sought to implement stronger antitrust policies that aligned with their interests. Mamdani’s appointment of Khan as one of the four co-chairs of his transition team came immediately after he criticized elected officials for prioritizing personal gain over public trust. He stated, “For years, people at City Hall have only helped those they can help,” emphasizing that his administration would prioritize assistance for all citizens starting January 1.
However, concerns about Khan’s previous actions are likely to overshadow her new role. During her FTC tenure, she appointed Sarah Miller as a “special advisor,” later promoting her to chief of staff. Miller has financial ties to progressive groups like those supported by George Soros, raising eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest.
Moreover, Khan’s tenure saw several hires from nonprofit organizations funded by similar networks, indicating a pattern some critics believe favors specific ideological agendas over a bipartisan approach. John Kwoka, another appointee under Khan, had previously worked with the Open Markets Institute, an organization also supported by these networks, creating further concern about the influence within her advisory team.
Critics like Republican strategist Colin Reed have voiced skepticism towards Mamdani’s choice of Khan, suggesting it contradicts his promise to disrupt the existing political framework and move toward a transformative city government.
Interestingly, when asked about her time at the FTC, Khan declined to comment, leaving some questions lingering about her past actions and future contributions.
Mamdani’s transition team includes notable figures such as Maria Torres Springer, Lina Khan, Melanie Hartzog, and Grace Bonilla, all of whom bring a wealth of experience from earlier administrations. Elana Leopold has been named as the executive director of the team.
