Mamdani selects the planner behind the initiative to substitute police with social workers as chief of staff

Zoran Mamdani Appoints Chief Adviser as He Prepares for Mayoral Role

The latest additions to Zoran Mamdani’s team include his long-term chief adviser, described as the “lead architect” behind his campaign initiative to have social workers handle certain non-violent 911 calls in New York City.

This proposal, which has faced significant criticism, originated from El Bisgaard Church, a relatively new political figure in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) who hails from California and is Ivy League educated. On Monday, Mamdani appointed her as chief adviser again, a position she previously held during his campaign and when he served as a state representative.

Bisgaard-Church is said to have been instrumental in articulating Mamdani’s vision to voters. Election officials have acknowledged her as a key figure behind the proposal for a regional security agency. According to reports, she consulted with mental health experts and public safety officials from various cities, including former NYPD Chief Rodney Harrison, while developing a community safety agency aimed at replacing police with mental health professionals for non-life-threatening emergencies, particularly in subway stations. The estimated cost for this new department is around $1.1 billion, based on the campaign proposal shared on Mamdani’s website.

Notably, Mamdani’s transition team appears to have been heavily influenced by the Soros network during the Biden administration.

In her role, Bisgaard-Church was also critical in establishing weekly meetings with the New York City DSA chapter during the campaign, aiming to involve leadership from organizations that supported Mamdani’s election bid.

In a recent interview, she reflected on her motivations, comparing them to the DSA’s aims. “I feel ashamed every day living in a place where people sleep on concrete at night. I believe it doesn’t have to be this way; it represents a political choice,” she expressed, mentioning a shared outrage at moral failures witnessed within movement organizations.

The Republican Party is watching closely, targeting two significant Democratic races with a strategic focus on Mamdani’s collaborative approach.

Interestingly, Mamdani’s City & State profile notes that Bisgaard’s interest in politics was sparked by the 2020 primary wins of five Democratic Socialists in Brooklyn and Queens. Initially drawn to New York for what she thought was a short public relations fellowship, she became involved with various nonprofits before joining Mamdani’s team.

Bisgaard-Church tends to maintain a low public profile, which is somewhat unusual for someone in her position. However, she has been praised for galvanizing DSA support for Mamdani, actively participating in forming the DSA’s legislative analysis team and developing guidelines for engaging elected officials in 2021.

Following her appointment, Bisgaard-Church expressed that leading Mamdani’s campaign was a tremendous honor, and she is eager to start implementing his “affordability agenda” and showcasing what a well-managed City Hall can achieve for everyday New Yorkers.